As stewards of nature we have a responsibility to restore and protect our environment and ecosystem. We need to be aware that our presence in nature, a national or state park, wildlands, backcountry, even a local park, has an impact on plants and animals in that area. One of the simplest ways to pro-actively protect our nature is following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare
- Know where you are going
- Learn about any restrictions and regulations
- Check weather and terrain
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Hike on existing trails
- If hiking off-trail, avoid stepping on vegetation, living soil, and desert puddles and mud poles
- Keep your campsite small and camp on durable surface avoiding vegetation and living soil
Dispose of waste properly
- Pack it in. Pack it out. Leave nothing behind, including toilet paper and hygiene products.
- Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible
- If no toilet facility available, dig a 6-8 inches deep cat hole, when finished cover with original dirt and disguise with native material
Leave what you find
- Only leave footprints, only take photos
- Do not touch cultural or historic artifacts
- Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them
Minimize campfire impacts
- Be aware of local fire danger and fire restrictions
- Build a fire is within an existing fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires
- Keep the fire small
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires with water, not dirt as dirt may not completely extinguish the fire
Respect wildlife
- Quietly observe wildlife and do not disturb them
- Never feed wildlife
- Protect wildlife by storing your food correctly and taking out all trash
Be considerate of other visitors
- Respect other visitors and be courteous
- Yield to other users on the trail
- Avoid loud voices and noises
Enjoy our nature & help protect it.
Leave No Trace Seven Principles ©1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org