Walking through Ukiah High after lunch or break, it’s not uncommon to see crows or ravens swooping down to savage through piles of hot Cheeto bags, chocolate milk cartons, and other general trash. What might seem like a harmless quirk of nature is actually a symptom of a much larger problem: the cleanliness of our school and its effects on local wildlife.
Despite trash cans being placed strategically throughout the campus, litter is left strewn across common areas after every break. This attracts birds like ravens and other wildlife that feast on our leftovers. While the presence of these birds might add to the lively atmosphere of campus, their increased dependency on human food (trash) poses significant risks, both to them and to our environment.
Scott Porzio, a custodian at Ukiah High School, told UHS News that crows and ravens are a year-round presence on campus but become most active in warmer months. These birds often snatch up leftover student trash, scattering debris and creating extra cleanup work. It’s not unusual to find litter on the school’s rooftops — dropped there by the birds themselves.
Ravens are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat almost anything, but their reliance on our trash disrupts natural feeding patterns. Instead of foraging for food like insects, seeds, and small animals, these birds are consuming processed and unhealthy food. Over time, this can lead to health issues for the birds and a growing dependence on human waste as a food source.
Moreover, other wildlife may be drawn to campus in search of an easy meal. In the past the school has struggled with rodents, so this trash problem isn’t new. Animals ingesting plastics or other non-biodegradable materials also risk internal injuries or even death.
Principal Analese Alvarez is frustrated by the ongoing trash problem at Ukiah High. “I will say I am baffled at how some students treat this campus,” she admitted. Having worked at other schools, she noted that she has “never seen the trash issue this big” and believes the problem stems from habit. “It’s just become habit to leave stuff behind and let someone else deal with it,” she said.
While staff and custodians work to keep the campus clean, Alvarez believes real change must come from students. “We’re trying to break that habit, but the most powerful way to break it is if students insist that their peers clean up after themselves,” she said. No matter how many times an authority figure says it, she emphasized, true motivation to keep the school clean has to come from within.
To Alvarez, the state of the campus reflects on the entire student body. “It doesn’t matter how many times your parents tell you to clean your room, right?” she said. “The motivation to do it is internal.” She hopes students take pride in their school and hold each other accountable.
Alvarez is open to ideas on how to improve the culture around campus cleanliness. “I would love any ideas on how we message all of our students to take care of our campus because it reflects on all of us—on who we are and what we believe in,” she said.
A group of Wildcats is trying to tackle this problem. The Environmental Club has been working hard to keep the campus clean, dedicating time to picking up trash and advocating for better waste disposal. Aliyah Rosario, co-president of the Environmental Club, told UHS News that “Cleaning up the campus is important because it creates a safer and healthier environment for everyone.”
Rosario said the “Environmental Club spends so much time on cleaning and investing in recycling bins because making our world a better place starts with local actions, and I hope to inspire others to make a difference too.”
Tahtiana James
Tahtiana James is a senior in her first journalism class at Ukiah High School. She has a passion for environmental science and storytelling. Growing up in the vibrant city of Ukiah, Tahtiana developed a deep appreciation for nature, which drives her interest in studying the environment. Tahtiana enjoys combining her love for writing with a commitment to raising awareness about environmental issues, especially those impacting local communities. When not writing or studying, Tahtiana can be found exploring the nearby hills or experimenting with sustainable practices. Tahtiana looks forward to contributing to the school’s environmental club and making a difference through her work in journalism.