If you’ve spent time in national forests or state parks, you’ve probably heard or read the phrase “Leave No Trace.” Oftentimes, there is little or no explanation of what that means to you as a hiker, picnicker, camper, hunter, fisher, etc. In actuality, Leave No Trace isn’t just a phrase; it’s also an organization.

 

The program is self-described as “a national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts.” Leave No Trace tries to educate people about impacts on the outdoors and also how to mitigate them with easy-to-understand-and-implement techniques.

 

Leave No Trace has seven basic principles: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Basically, it’s common sense.

 

Plan Ahead and Prepare: You should know the regulations of the area before you start your hike, etc. For example, campfires may be banned due to fire danger; mountain bikes are not allowed in wilderness areas.

 

Travel and Camp Durable Surfaces: Don’t make new trails – use the ones that are there for human use. When camping, look for a good site rather than radically altering the land to pitch your tent, and camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.

 

Dispose of Waste Properly: This is a big one, and the one that most people violate. Pack out your trash! It’s a rare hike that I don’t end up picking up at least some type of wrapper left behind by another hiker. Teach children to do the same. Also, to minimize trash, pack appropriate foods; the forest isn’t where you should eat your Big Mac® with fries and Big Gulp drink. (Better yet, don’t eat them at all!)

 

Leave What You Find: Don’t haul away the forest with you, and don’t introduce non-native plant or animal species. Those flowers might look lovely in your yard, but they may be toxic to wildlife or so prolific that they eventually choke out other plants.

 

Minimize Campfire Impacts: Remember what Smokey says “only YOU can prevent forest fires.” Make sure campfires are allowed in the area before you start one, and then be sure to use a fire ring made from rocks; use only wood you can find lying on the ground and be sure to put it out completely before leaving.

 

Respect Wildlife: Don’t chase animals or try to sit children on the backs of elk or buffalo. Be especially considerate of animals with young ones; you don’t want strangers chasing your kids, right?

 

Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Remember that you’re not the only person out there. Please yield to others on the trail, and say “excuse me” when passing other hikers. Turn down the volume – hikers who are a quarter-mile away shouldn’t be able to hear your conversation. And lovebirds, if you must hold hands while hiking, please be aware of when people come up behind you on the trail and let them go by.

 

For more details on Leave No Trace, visit their website at www.lnt.org