BEAUMONT – (INT) – If you’ve never visited a working landfill, here’s your chance.

An education center opens Thursday at one of the Inland Empire’s largest ‘dumps’ located in the Badlands just outside of Lamb’s Canyon.

The new Marion V. Ashley Lamb Canyon Education Center (named after the retiring county supervisor) is situated on a bluff-top perch 200 feet above the activity that goes on six days a week. Mega machines move 2,000 tons a day of trash non-stop, covering it with layers of dirt to dispose of it safely, protect groundwater and prevent the spread of disease.

In one day, the landfill matches the amount of trash that five million visitors to Yosemite National Park and 2,800 park staff members generate annually.

Nature plays another role at times throughout the year. Falconers are hired to fly raptors at the landfill. Falcons and hawks scare off thousands of seagulls to prevent them from carrying away a trashy meal, which could create a potential public-health hazard.

Story Date: April 30, 2018