FEATURE

Making A Difference: One Person At A Time

Fifteen-year old Kyle Romero of Apple Valley, California could serve as a good example to all of us. Romero, says he regularly fishes at the Mojave Narrows Recreation Park and didn't like the fact there was old monofilament fishing line lying around.

Unlike most of the rest of us, Romero didn't complain about it, he decided to make recycling monofilament his Boy Scouts of America conservation project, a requirement to become an Eagle Scout.

There was just one problem: money.

Constructing recycling stations from 15 ABS plastic tubes wasn't in his budget.

First, Romero tried local businesses. Then he decided to try the internet.

There, he discovered the SouthWest Council Federation of Fly Fishers. The council, on behalf of its 25 independent fly-fishing clubs in Southern California and Nevada, heard his story, liked it, and responded with a donation of $250.

Other donations were made by individual members, the High Desert Fly Fishers, and a local hardware store.

As a result, there are monofilament recycling tubes at fifteen locations around the Mojave Narrows. Each stands about four-feet tall and is made from four-inch black ABS plastic pipe with a 90-degree elbow at the top and an adapter plug (plumbers know this as the clean-out cap) on the bottom.

And there is less monofilament line lying around the ground and in the water at Mojave Narrows.

Kyle Romero, 15-year old upcoming junior at Granite Hills High School, Boy Scout and good example with one of his monofilament recycling stations.

"Mojave Narrows has 304 species of birds that visit the park, and eight species of fish. I knew this project would help clean up our community and save a lot of wildlife," says the future Eagle Scout.

He's right. And he's also a good example for the rest of us. Sometimes, one person is all it takes to get movement started on a worthwhile project.

"Discarded mono spin fishing line and leader material is a death trap for birds and other wildlife, in addition to being an eyesore," Romero says, "If you are discarding line, please dispose of it properly and safely. Carry it back to your car in your vest or jacket and either dispose of it there, or use a recycling tube."

I will. Scout's honor.

--Jim Shepherd
Thanks to Bennett Mintz for telling me about Kyle and his project.

Jul 4	California Free Fishing Day Statewide
Jul 4	Independence Day
Jul 15-17	ICAST Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida

Subscribe to our RSS Feed