A Jacksonville, Florida, resident posted a disturbing find in the local Argyle Forest Park: loads of discarded nails left behind by a truck dumping construction materials.
Illegal dumping at the park has been one of the most common problems (along with graffiti and potholes) causing the original poster to submit "200 tickets through 630CITY." The nails were in a pile of demolition debris dumped during the early morning hours. The OP said they used magnets to sort and remove the nails to prevent an unsuspecting driver from blowing a tire while moving over them.
The regular dumping even extends to animals. The OP said they had found and helped felines as "others continue[d] to abandon cats here on a weekly basis" instead of taking them to a local animal rescue or adoption shelter like the Jacksonville Humane Society. Between the trash and cat unloading, this is an example of what happens when people don't respect nature.
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Definitely 🥰 From bagged bear carcasses in Virginia to trash on the shores of Blue Lake in Utah, such dumping is an ongoing problem. According to several studies and reviews, like the Journal of Global Health's "What is the impact of nature on human health?", time spent in green or blue nature spaces can be beneficial to mental well-being. Whether observing a caterpillar turning into a butterfly or squirrels foraging for nuts, parks can provide hands-on education about natural life cycles while providing a calming refuge for people outside the home.
However, it's hard to enjoy such spaces when stepping over trash or risking a tire puncture. The OP warned, "This is a word of caution to be careful when driving through the grassy area between the JEA lift station and the handicap parking pad if you are attending any events at Argyle Forest Park."
One person replied, "Thank you for documenting this!"
Debris left by humans also hurts wildlife that may choke on it or suffer internal damage, prompting euthanization. Trash dumping can also damage healthy habitats or attract pests like snakes and rats that use the piles for nests.
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