From Trails to Trash: A Look at Who Keeps Campbell County Clean and Green

The Campbell County Citizens’ Academy Class of 2026 spent Week 3 learning about county projects, environmental education, conservation and the work being done to keep Campbell County clean.

The Campbell County Citizens’ Academy moved outside the classroom for Week 3, giving participants an opportunity to explore the Environmental Education Center at AJ Jolly Park while learning from several people whose work has an impact across the county.

Commissioner Geoff Besecker opened the evening by talking with the class about his role as a county commissioner and his involvement with several projects currently underway throughout Campbell County.

The evening then turned to the Environmental Education Center, where Environmental Educator Aubree Dawson introduced participants to the center and its programs before leading the class onto the trails.

Environmental Education at AJ Jolly Park

The Campbell County Environmental Education Center occupies 50 acres at AJ Jolly Park and is operated through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The property is maintained for hikers and also serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental field trips, classes and public programs.

Dawson shared some of the ways the center connects children and adults with the natural world. Its Nature Club, now in its fourth year, introduces young people to activities such as compass reading, tree identification, insect and leaf collecting, owl pellet dissection and aquatic ecology. The center also hosts environmental field trips for Campbell County schools and public workshops.

Dawson guided the class outside for a walk through the property. Participants explored the trails and learned more about the land surrounding the center.

Conservation Close to Home

Back inside, Kirt Hill with the Campbell County Conservation District introduced the class to an organization that has been working with local residents and landowners for more than 80 years.

The Campbell County Conservation District was established by a vote of county residents in 1945. Its work focuses on the conservation of soil, water and other natural resources through education, technical expertise and financial assistance.

Hill explained that those efforts can take many forms. Local cost-share programs can assist Campbell County landowners with projects such as rainwater harvesting, pollinator gardens, native tree planting and invasive species removal. Agricultural programs address needs including septic system repairs, pasture management, cover crops, planned grazing and stormwater management.

The district also works to educate the next generation through classroom conservation programs, scholarships, grants, camps and other opportunities. Community programs include the Backroads Farm Tour, field days, workshops and the Farm & Livestock Expo.

Keeping Campbell County Clean

Solid Waste Coordinator Megan Clere Abrams closed the evening with a look at the amount of work happening throughout the year to reduce waste and keep litter and debris out of Campbell County communities.

The Solid Waste Department coordinates year-round services including drop-off recycling, household trash vouchers, electronics and scrap metal recycling, litter abatement and latex paint hardener and school vape recycling programs. It also organizes or participates in seasonal programs such as the Spring and Fall Cleanup, waste tire collections, River Sweep and the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

The numbers help illustrate the scale of that work.

Through September, Campbell County's scrap metal recycling program has collected more than 100 tons. Through August, the electronics recycling program has collected about 15,000 pounds.

Litter abatement crews have cleaned more than 150 miles of county roadsides so far in 2026. They have picked up nearly 1,000 bags of litter, about 100 tires and about 70 large items. This work is supported by Campbell County Detention Center (CCDC) Class D work crews and the Trash for Cash program, which lets eligible groups earn money by cleaning county roadsides.

The Spring Cleanup also made a big impact. Residents brought more than 3,000 loads to collection sites, and the event collected nearly 400 tons of trash, tires, and electronics.

For Citizens’ Academy participants, the evening provided a closer look at work that residents may encounter every day without necessarily knowing who is behind it. From trails and environmental education at AJ Jolly Park to conservation assistance for local landowners and hundreds of thousands of pounds of material kept out of the waste stream, Week 3 showed several different ways people and organizations are working to care for Campbell County.

The Campbell County Citizens’ Academy continues next week with Week 4 of the 2026 program.