NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – All recyclable cans and bottles generated by firefighters at the Mill Fire Incident Command Post will be donated to the Stonyford 4-H fundraising effort.

Members of NorCal Team 2 and the Mendocino National Forest have coordinated with the local 4-H Chapter to collect recyclables in camp. The 4-H youth will pick up, sort and turn them in for the deposit.

The Stonyford 4-H club regularly collects recyclables during the annual Stonyford Rodeo. Chapter President Sara McCabe, 16, delivered collection drums to camp with her father on Friday.

Seventeen youths, ages 8 to 16, in the Stonyford 4-H learn about leadership, teamwork, community service, animal husbandry, farming, home economics, woodworking, leather crafting and other skills. Funds raised are used for the kids’ registration fees and dues.

“I’m always pleased when there is some way we can give back to the community. This will benefit the youth, who use these Rodeo Grounds,” said NorCal Type 2 Incident Commander Matt Johnson.

Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune agreed.

“I am pleased that the Incident Command Team is taking this step,” Tune said. “Recycling is an important part of our ecosystem services program and caring for our environment for current and future generations. Investing the recycling funds to enhance the Stonyford 4H program, benefiting local youth, is so important for this community and I’m excited the Forest Service can be a part of that.”

Grounded in conservation and committed to sustainable resource management, the Forest Service has an obligation to help reduce the U.S. environmental deficit.

The agency has taken a hard look at its own environmental footprint, working to make its operations more sustainable.

Reducing the waste generated from firefighting operations is one way the Forest Service can achieve this goal.

In addition to can and bottle recycling, cardboard and batteries are also being recycled at the Mill Fire Incident.