Forest Preserve To Public: Don't Be A Jerk, Part 2

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Will County Forest Preserve District has one simple message for people visiting the preserves: don't be a jerk. They've already told people not to be jerks regarding dog owners, and now they're telling everybody not to be jerks regarding garbage.

The campaign, named (that's right, you guessed it) Don't Be A Jerk, released their second video on Sunday, July 14. It begins with a man pulling into a parking spot. Like a jerk, he takes up two. "This guy is a real jerk," the narrator says.

The actor is seen dumping trash, like cans, wrappers, plastic bottles, styrofoam, a tire and even a bike.

"How would you like it if we came to your home and did this to your front lawn? Jerk."

Related: Will County Forest Preserve Begins 'Don't Be a Jerk' Campaign

"We're taking a creative approach to an ongoing problem," said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve’s chief operating officer. "This marketing strategy is designed to be responsive to those concerns expressed by the public."

See the forest preserve district's webpage on the videos.

Here's a list of the videos they'll release, alongside descriptions as obtained from the Forest Preserve District's website:

• Reining in your dog: The first in the series, this video was released June 24 and focuses on keeping your dog on a leash and under control as well as picking up its poop.
• How to dispose of garbage: Garbage goes inside the can, not on top of, not tossed within 20 feet of the can or even worse, just tossed in the preserve.
• How to use a trail: Know the trails have multiple uses and users. Walk/run/bike on the right, pass on the left. And don’t hog the trail. And definitely don’t lay four people wide across a trail around a blind curve while taking a family photo.
• Fishing: All anglers should properly dispose of fishing line, hooks, etc. to prevent harm and potentially death to wildlife, and be considerate of other anglers. Don’t bogart the beach with your boat, ignore fishing regulations by taking too many fish, and don’t crowd other fishermen.