Deep in the heart of Wharton State Forest, dirt roads are lined with debris and mounds of garbage are scattered among otherwise-pristine pinelands — not what people expect to see when they visit a state forest.“People come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, not to see a lot of trash,” said Gilbert Mika, a natural resource interpreter for Wharton State Forest. On Saturday, nearly a dozen volunteers spent the afternoon sifting through the garbage, bagging debris and filling truckload after truckload with materials that are more suited for a construction site than a nature trail. The area the volunteers targeted was a relatively new portion of the half-century-old state forest, where cabins used to sit but now rusted propane cans, slabs of concrete and electrical wiring dominate the landscape. Meanwhile, another group of volunteers joined Assistant Superintendent Lorraine McKay in beautifying the gardens in front of the Batsto Historic Village’s Visitor’s Center. These efforts were part of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “Earth Day Challenge” at the Wharton State Forest. Mika called the garbage one of the less-desirable effects that man has on the environment, but called the week of Earth Day — which is Tuesday — the perfect time to attempt to erase some of that. “With Earth Day on everybody’s mind, we have the opportunity to take notice of what has accrued over the past fall and winter, and get ready for the seasons of hiking, camping and kayaking that are ahead,” Mika said. “We have to work harder to instill a better appreciation of open space. Open space is for everyone to enjoy, not just the few who trash it.” Al and Barbara Schwartz and their 9-year-old granddaughter, Amanda Bilazzo, all of Mullica Township, took part in the challenge Barbara Schwartz said the couple regularly drives and kayaks through the forest, and knows firsthand how much trash there is to pick up. “It would take a lot more than us to clean it all up,” she said. “We’re just a dot on the map.” But starting people young may pay off over time. “I like to help the Earth,” Bilazzo said of her willingness to spend a Saturday cleaning up other people’s messes. “It seems like we’re getting a lot of (the trash) picked up, but when you look around there is a lot more.” Wharton State Forest will host an Earth Day Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Those who attend can meet conservation groups, take guided canoe tours of the lake, listen to nature talks and take nature walks. All of the activities will start at the Batsto Historic Village on Route 542 in Washington Township, Burlington County. For more information, call 609-567-4559.