7 June 2011 - For World Environment Day 2011, the Ultimate Frisbee and "Akrobalans" clubs of Banja Luka organized a hike up a local hill (Šihitluk) to enjoy nature and pick up trash in the forest. Thus, we put ourselves at the service of nature, instead of the other way around, as humankind usually does - unfortunately.

Though the forest path was fairly well maintained - especially as compared to too many other places in the region, 20 volunteers, representing 10 different countries - no less!,  managed to find plenty of trash to pick up - in particular thanks to several very dedicated volunteers bushwhacking along a creek bed, and then later deposit the garbage in its proper place - a dumpster with regular collection service. Even so, how anyone could possibly hike up there to savor the beautiful nature, and then just carelessly toss their garbage into the stream or drop it along the path, continues to defy rational logic…

But in any case, after our little bit of service to the forest, we took the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest nature Banja Luka has to offer, by juggling, doing a bit of acrobatics and playing ultimate frisbee. All in all, it was a great day to celebrate the importance of protecting the environment.

By: George Stiff, UN Volunteer and LEAP Development Coordinator