By Melinda Larson, NSA Monterey Public Affairs

Naval Support Activity Monterey fought the "war on trash" April 23 to observe international Earth Day.

"This effort is a way to renew our commitment to the environment by taking pride and ownership around our spaces," said Victoria Taber, a natural resources specialist assigned to the installation's Environmental Program Office.

Armed with garbage bags, gloves and two-pronged trash grabbers, teams set out to clear the installation of paper, plastic and other debris.

"Teamwork is a Navy tradition and that's why we're working together to clean up our environment," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Garrett Davis, a member of NPS' Protocol Office staff, as he worked alongside two fellow petty officers.

Key to a healthy environment is the installation's Del Monte Lake, a storm water catchment lake at the lowest end of an 1,100-acre watershed. Keeping the lake clean is a weekly crusade for Taber.

"My goal is to keep plastic out of the lake because when plastic breaks down, organisms and birds eat it. Plastic doesn't have nutritional value so they can starve," said Taber who routinely picks up trash along the lakeshore.

The Navy's 2015 theme for Earth Day, "A Sustainable Future Begins with You," underscores the ripple effect of each individual's actions that benefit the environment and helps ensure a viable planet for generations to come.