When four-year-old Charlie Comi from Peninsula, Ohio, was officially “sworn in” as a Junior Ranger at Cuyahoga Valley National Park last fall, he embraced his pledge to “love and take care of the park” with remarkable sincerity. What began as an adorable moment for his family quickly became a heartfelt mission. After seeing news reports about increased trash at U.S. national parks during the ongoing government shutdown and learning that staff support had been severely reduced, Charlie decided that helping clean his favorite park wasn’t just important — it was his responsibility.

Across the country, national parks have struggled with reduced maintenance, limited staffing, and overflowing trash bins as the federal government’s shutdown stretched on (reported widely by NPR and The Washington Post). Cuyahoga Valley National Park is among those most visibly affected, as many of its regular employees were furloughed, leaving only a small, essential team to keep the park minimally operational. While the gates technically remained open, services such as restroom access, routine trash collection, and parking lot plowing were suspended, creating mounting challenges for both visitors and the environment (National Park Service updates).

For the Comi family — frequent visitors who spend much of their free time exploring trails and enjoying the natural landscape — the decline in park upkeep was impossible to ignore. Having completed the Junior Ranger program just a month earlier, Charlie took his new title seriously. Donning a vest adorned with his Junior Ranger badge and armed with a brown paper bag, he and his mother, Virginia, began making regular “patrols” to collect litter scattered across hiking paths, picnic areas, and riverbanks.

“A lot of fast-food wrappers — that seems to be a very popular thing to leave behind,” Virginia told Cleveland’s Fox 8 News. “We also find a lot of cigarette butts, and another big one is animal waste bags. People tie them up but still leave them behind, which really adds up.”

Beyond the inconvenience, Virginia explained that Charlie’s motivation is deeply tied to his love for wildlife. “He’s really concerned that if trash piles up, it could hurt the animals. That’s his biggest worry — that they’ll try to eat something dangerous. He brings it up every time we go out.”

Park officials and conservation groups have taken notice. Deb Yandala, CEO of the nonprofit conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, has publicly praised not only Charlie’s efforts but also the contributions of other community members who stepped in after local media shared images of overflowing garbage and damaged facilities (coverage highlighted by The Associated Press). According to Yandala, small acts of stewardship can make a significant difference, especially during times when federal operations are disrupted.

During his cleanup missions, Charlie often encounters full-time park rangers still on duty. Each time, he gives them an enthusiastic wave — and, in response, the rangers salute him, acknowledging the pint-sized environmental hero doing work well beyond his years. These exchanges have become a beloved part of Charlie’s visits, reinforcing his sense of pride and duty.

Charlie may only be four, but his actions capture the spirit of the National Park Service’s mission: fostering future generations of environmental stewards. His enthusiasm has inspired local families, sparked community conversations about conservation, and served as a reminder that protecting nature is a collective effort — one that doesn’t always require government staff or official authority.

We salute you as well, Charlie. Your compassion, initiative, and determination are a powerful example of how even the youngest citizens can make meaningful contributions to their community. Keep up the amazing work — your park is better because of you.

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