In 2019, Pasadena resident Edgar McGregor noticed that Eaton Canyon, one of Southern California's most popular hiking destinations, was covered in litter.
Instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem, he decided to take action himself.
What started as a personal cleanup effort turned into an extraordinary commitment. McGregor returned to the canyon every single day for 589 consecutive days, collecting trash left behind by visitors.
By the end of his mission, he had removed an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 pounds of waste from the trail and surrounding areas.
His dedication transformed sections of the canyon that had long been plagued by litter. After nearly 20 months of daily work, McGregor announced that the major trash hotspots had finally been cleared, effectively declaring the park clean.