crumb clean

“Keep it crumb clean: do not leave food or litter behind.” (Even crumbs can interrupt a natural ecosystem by attracting invasive predators that threaten local inhabitants.)

I recently had the pleasure of visiting California’s Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, Thornewood Preserve. There are at least 27 preserves managed by Midpen. In fact, I had previously documented a visit at another open space, Windy Hill, back in early 2025.

A different space, a different day. After a 2 mile hike through shady redwood groves, the waste I picked up was miniscule. I don’t think the remnants weighed more than a few ounces, signficantly less than what I often collect in these obLITTERation adventures. This made me wonder what variables affect the amount of human litter left behind in places meant to preserve, protect, care for, and enjoy nature.

While looking out for litter, I met some fellow litter cleaners, albeit a different kind of litter. Meet the slender banana slug (Ariolimax dolichophallus). These California natives are gastropods known for being natural decomposers that feed on forest litter - the only good kind of “litter” - and my kind of slug!

We don’t have to eat our litter, but we should at least eat or dispose of our food crumbs. So, please make sure you leave no trace behind. For local earthly organisms, slugs, birds, and bugs, remember: “Keep it crumb clean!”

Me, a redwood boscage, and a slender banana slug

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