Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
19 June, 2025
Sarah Heward’s tireless efforts to combat littering in the National Park embody the spirit of environmental respect and appreciation at the heart of our 2025 Nature Campaign. Since 2021, Sarah has organised The Real Food Cafe ‘Pick ‘n’ Chips’ litter picks, bringing together over 446 volunteers who have removed more than 8 tonnes of waste from the area.
What started as a small initiative has now blossomed into a movement, with volunteers of all ages coming together to protect the beauty of the National Park. 
Sarah’s deep-rooted connection to nature is inspired by camping trips on the Tay with her father and instilled by her mother – “My mum was a keen litter picker, so I was brought up in a culture of respecting nature. I got to the point where I was sick of seeing the litter on my commute to Tyndrum and so decided to take direct action and use the café as a platform to start a litter picking campaign.” – which drives her today to lead with passion and optimism, encouraging others to join in preserving our environment.
Sarah’s deep-rooted connection to nature is inspired by camping trips on the Tay with her father and instilled by her mother – “My mum was a keen litter picker, so I was brought up in a culture of respecting nature. I got to the point where I was sick of seeing the litter on my commute to Tyndrum and so decided to take direct action and use the café as a platform to start a litter picking campaign.” – which drives her today to lead with passion and optimism, encouraging others to join in preserving our environment.Her efforts also highlight the importance of community and well-being, as the litter picks offer not only a way to clean the land but also a space for social interaction and shared responsibility. Sarah’s dedication exemplifies the power of individual action to spark positive change and build a cleaner, more sustainable future for nature, and for people.
Thank you to Sarah, and all the volunteers that stand up for nature.From taking small actions that make a big difference, to inspiring a community like Sarah has, let us know if you or someone you know takes a stand for nature in the National Park. Nominate a #NatureHero – https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/nature-heroes/