The stunning backdrop of the southwestern desert with spectacular cacti, giant saguaro and the jagged raw mountaintops is where the HASHERS NOT TRASHERS 501©3 (HNT) organizational purpose of litter pick up was fulfilled by a group of runners and walkers who carried grocery bags and spied trash upon the roadways and trails.
Ricky Darren, founder of HNT, with almost three decades experienced as a professional park ranger, land specialist and firefighter, has committed his life to protecting and care of the land, educating the youth and leading by example as a volunteer so others may follow. He joined a group of like-minded men and women spending several hours outdoors, on urban or countryside trails, enjoying a few refreshing beers and joining together for social time and laughter. The entertaining, outdoorsy global club is called the ‘Hash House Harriers’ which originally was a scavenger game begun in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia in 1938. Over eighty years, with kennels in every city around the world, there is a collective group of young and seasoned (older) residents, expats and locals who keep fit, feel young and simply enjoy the healthful, natural beauty around them.
The problem of littered trash, which is in plain sight when one steps outdoors, initially was the focus of the HASHERS NOT TRASHERS movement of volunteers who weekly are photographed and proudly smiling with collected recyclables and trash to be properly disposed. With increased participation, the service time has grown to people sharing stories of pride and commitment in almost all 50 states and far away to continents and cities. Also, with the expansion of ecology and mindfulness of sustainable lifestyle changes.
The mission focus is to make a positive impact on the land we all utilize and enjoy every single day. Ricky and over 2,500 volunteers test their philosophy of Mother Earth care by of adopting a neighborhood and street to regularly litter clean up, applying daily recycling measures, reducing a carbon footprint and focusing on the natural habit.
Ricky and his team of board members, advisors and volunteers support the local outdoor communities. The organization has been successful in attracting a wide spectrum of people wishing for a cleaner environment. We are actively engaged in increasing our non-profit partners, land ambassadors and volunteers.