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.