Community - Desert Cleanse One Parcel of Land at a Time | Falken Tires

Desert Cleanse One Parcel of Land at a Time

Ask Colin and Jill Sauter if one person can make a difference at anything, and their collective answer would be a resounding “yes!” 

In this case, their conviction stands strong when it comes to cleaning the desert. Colin estimates that in one year he has picked up 50,000 pounds of trash throughout the desert without even trying. 

Although Colin and his family have been picking up trash his whole life due to his passion for off-roading and camping and his desire to leave as little of a footprint, particularly in campsites, as possible, through his Desert Cleanse Project, he has become far more aggressive in pursuing his passion in keeping the desert clean.

Ticking off what he’s found in his recent cleaning efforts, Colin lists 550 tires and 600 pounds of nails from various lakebeds which he’s caught with magnets. 

Calling his desert clean-up a “kind of addiction,” Colin logs many miles around the desert communities within Southern California – “from 29 Palms to Morongo Valley to Barstow, as well as Arizona, Nevada and Utah.” Over time, he can easily log up to 5,000 miles a month running around picking up trash. 

As a result of Colin’s efforts, Falken Tires was eager to support the Desert Cleanse Project. Falken supplies his vehicles with Wildpeak M/T tires, “because,” according to Colin, “we were blowing out trailer tires every day. 

“Since tying up with Falken Tires, we haven’t had a flat,” he added. The Wildpeak M/T tires go on his trailers and his trucks, each hauling their weight and more in trash.

“The Wildpeak M/T on my trailers and on my truck do well in the dirt,” Colin said. “There are no issues, even when I’m hauling 2,200 pounds or more.”

Colin and Jill are dedicated to doing their part in the dirt. Dedicated off-roaders, they want their playing field to remain as clean as possible. 

“Our goal is to keep BLM (Bureau of Land Management) deserts and camping facilities open so everyone can legally go off-roading and enjoy the outdoors,” Colin said. “Basically, like the message on our social media, ‘we clean for free, helping to eliminate illegal dumpsites throughout our communities and public lands.’” Additionally, he strives to educate others on how the desert regularly accumulates trash from the careless.

Colin is grateful to companies like Falken, KC HiLites, Cliffhanger Guides and others who support their effort with cash, supplies and personnel to assist their efforts. Indeed, the Falken team has participated in the Desert Cleanse program, helping to clean local deserts, as have local law enforcement officials.

“It’s kind of overwhelming,” he added, “seeing all these companies and people coming out at the same time to help.”

Their efforts illustrate that one person can indeed make a difference – realizing the value of keeping the desert clean by dedicating a day or two to picking up trash, or making a donation, like so many people and companies have already done.

“That’s what we want to keep doing,” said Colin. “Inspiring others to join us in taking care of this beautiful land. This is our mission.”