On April 22nd, volunteers from all over Arizona gathered at the Phon D Sutton Recreation Area to participate in Natural Restorations’ 10th Annual Earth Day Clean-Up, hosted in partnership with Arizona Hiking Group. United by a shared love for Arizona’s wild beauty, individuals and families came together for a day of teamwork, hands-on stewardship, and environmental impact.

A Community United for Conservation

More than 575 volunteers showed up ready to make a difference. From passionate hikers to first-time participants, people of all ages—including a remarkable number of youth volunteers—put on gloves and got to work. The mission? To remove trash and graffiti, restore natural areas, and give back to the environment that gives us so much.

Armed with gloves, trash bags, and a determination to make a difference, volunteers removed waste that had been scattered throughout the recreation area. From plastic bottles to discarded camping gear, every piece of litter removed was a step toward preserving Arizona’s natural beauty. They also contributed to revitalization efforts such as removing over 947 tons of trash from outdoor spaces across Arizona between their Dedicated Restoration Team projects & volunteer events. Of that 947 more than 77 tons of the trash was pulled from this river! They have also removed over 49,000 sq ft of graffiti, removed & recycled over 3,000 tires, & planted more than 114,000 cacti, plants and trees—healing areas impacted by human activity.

A Legacy of Impact

By the end of the event, dumpsters full of waste had been collected, leaving Phon D Sutton cleaner, greener, and more beautiful. But this clean-up is just one part of a much larger movement. Through the ongoing work of Natural Restorations and its volunteers:

• Over 1.8 million pounds (that’s 935+ tons!) of trash have been removed from Arizona’s outdoor recreation and wilderness areas.
• 49,006 square feet of graffiti have been eliminated from natural rock formations and boulders.
• More than 114,600 trees and cacti have been planted across the state.
• Over 23,990 hours of restoration work in nature have been provided to Military Veterans, giving them a unique opportunity to heal and connect through service.

These numbers represent more than just statistics—they’re a reflection of thousands of hands, hours, and hearts dedicated to protecting Arizona’s public lands.

At First Impression Ironworks, we believe in taking care of the communities and environments that take care of us. That’s why we were proud to support this year’s Earth Day Clean-Up through our donation to Arizona Hiking Group.

This event—and the broader mission behind it—aligns with our values of integrity, community, and stewardship. Supporting efforts like this is just one way we’re committed to ensuring Arizona’s natural beauty is preserved for generations to come.

Moving Forward, Together

Events like the Earth Day Clean-Up show what’s possible when we come together for a common cause. Each piece of trash removed and each cactus planted is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the places we love.

We encourage everyone to keep the momentum going:

• Practice Leave No Trace principles
• Volunteer for local clean-ups and conservation projects
• Support organizations that care for our wild spaces

A huge thank you to Natural Restorations, Arizona Hiking Group, and every incredible volunteer who made Earth Day 2025 such a success. Together, we’re not just cleaning up, we’re creating a cleaner, stronger, and more sustainable future.