Characterization and intervention impacts on litter across public land types in Northern Idaho.

/day) compared to urban settings. This study is the first to quantify the pivotal role of volunteer camp hosts in litter management, finding they removed an estimated 111,150 pieces (> 277 kg) annually from Idaho State Parks alone, representing over $171,600 in cost savings versus paid labor. In contrast, day use areas without dedicated volunteer cleaning exhibited significantly higher litter levels, establishing volunteer presence as a critical variable in recreational litter management. Our findings challenge assumptions about the inevitability of litter accumulation in high-density recreational settings and provide the first evidence-based framework for volunteer-driven litter management strategies in resource-constrained public land agencies.