Waste not

A Cape Girardeau teenager has been recognized by the state for his role in promoting a cleaner environment.

Conservation Commissioner Stephen Bradford presented 19-year-old Stratton Tingle of Cape Girardeau with an award Wednesday for his 30-second video against littering. It was produced together with Tingle's friends Justin Hawkins and Ross Tilghman.

In an effort to raise awareness and reduce littering, three state agencies -- the departments of transportation, conservation and natural resources -- teamed up to form a long-term anti-litter campaign. MoDOT and the Conservation Department have provided initial funding.

Teen focus

After extensive research with state-sponsored focus groups showed young people listen more closely to their peers, the slogan "No MOre Trash!" was picked to kick off the anti-litter effort. Students in the focus groups said humor is the best way to reach them and TV was their favorite entertainment.

Missouri's first statewide litter awareness campaign began earlier this year, assisted by the Missouri Anti-Litter Advisory Board established by Gov. Bob Holden and his wife, Lori Hauser Holden. The board is composed of government, business and nonprofit organizations.

Another video produced by a group of St. Louis youth also won recognition in the campaign's initial video contest. A second video contest is now underway, with an Oct. 31 deadline.

"I believe that young, creative minds can really have an impact on a community," Tingle said. "Young people really have the get-go, the want to succeed, to do everything the best. We are blasted with things like shock humor that we can take and use to produce quality art that helps our earth, community and society."

Tingle is currently majoring in film production at Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tenn. In 2000, he studied videography at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center under instructor Randy McWilson.

Statewide cleaning

Each year, MoDOT spends more than $6 million to clean litter from Missouri highways. In addition, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers provide another $1.5 million worth of litter collection services. In 2001, Missouri Stream Teams gathered almost 421 tons of trash.

'Crying Indian' memory

"We all remember the crying Indian ad that stressed to us just how precious our environment really is," Bradford said. "It is time to remind us all again that we can live in a place that is litter-free, whether in the city or the country.

"Can you imagine what we could do with all the time and money now being devoted to cleaning up the landscape? We could beautify the landscape, improve our wildlife and other state resources."

For more information on the No MOre Trash campaign and current video competition, visit www.nomoretrash.org or contact Lorna Domke at 573-751-4115 ext. 3235; domkel@mail.conservation.state.mo.us. Winning videos will be displayed on the campaign's Web site.

"I think it is great that we have a winner from Cape County and young people like Stratton as a role model," said A.J. Hendershott, outreach and education regional supervisor with the Conservation Department. "Littering indicates disrespect for the land."

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133