LEAVE NO TRACE: 7 PRINCIPLES

LEAVE NO TRACE: 7 PRINCIPLES

If you spend ample time immersed in nature, you’re likely familiar with the mantra “Leave No Trace,” which resonates as strongly as the essential “Ten Essentials.” But what does it entail? In essence, it encapsulates the optimal behaviors we ought to adopt to both relish and safeguard our natural environments.

With an overwhelming influx of over 100 million visitors engaged in more than 12 billion outdoor excursions annually in the North America alone, our affection for the outdoors can inadvertently cause harm. Affected areas bear the brunt of litter, encroaching invasive species, habituated wildlife, trail degradation, compromised water sources, and various other forms of environmental degradation. While most of us harbor no ill intentions toward our natural surroundings, we might lack the know-how to effectively conserve them, or we may simply overlook a few crucial practices.

A long-standing nonprofit ally supported by Parco, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics spearheads service initiatives and educational campaigns on a global scale. The center’s cornerstone principles are distilled into the Leave No Trace Seven Principles (© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org), each encompassing a spectrum of recommended actions.

Prior to embarking on your outdoor adventures, embrace the following highlighted practices to ensure minimal impact and maximum enjoyment.

Leave not Trace: hiker resting on a chair

Who Should Adhere to the Leave No Trace 7 Principles?

Originally crafted as a framework for individuals navigating remote backcountry terrain, the Leave No Trace Seven Principles extend their relevance to encompass “frontcountry” users as well.

“Backcountry” regions primarily cater to overnight adventurers such as backpackers, whereas “frontcountry” denotes areas readily accessible by car, including city and state parks. Day-use visitors, such as dog walkers, picnickers, runners, and car campers, frequent frontcountry locales for their recreational pursuits.


The Leave No Trace 7 Principles

  • Plan ahead and prepare.
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
  • Dispose of waste properly.
  • Leave what you find.
  • Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
  • Respect wildlife.
  • Be considerate of other visitors.


Plan ahead and prepare

Inadequate preparation often paves the way for unforeseen challenges. Insufficient research may result in exhaustion or anxiety, leading to hasty decisions.

Thorough planning involves conducting extensive research on your destination and packing essentials accordingly.

  • Familiarize yourself with area regulations and specific concerns.
  • Equip yourself for extreme weather conditions, potential hazards, and emergencies.
  • Strategize your trip to avoid peak usage periods.
  • Opt for smaller group sizes whenever feasible; consider subdividing larger groups.
  • Minimize food packaging to reduce waste.
  • Rely on maps and compasses to navigate, avoiding the use of marking paint, rock cairns, or flagging.


Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Select Resilient Terrain for Exploration and Camping

When venturing into nature and selecting spots for picnics or overnight stays, prioritize durable surfaces. Optimal choices include established trails, designated campsites, rock formations, gravel patches, dry grasslands, or snow-covered areas.

In both popular frontcountry and remote backcountry locations:

  • Channel activity onto pre-existing trails and designated camping spots.
  • Maintain a distance of at least 200 feet from lakes and streams when setting up camp.
  • Keep campsite footprints minimal and focus activity in areas devoid of vegetation.
  • Traverse trails in a single-file manner, centering your path even in wet or muddy conditions.

In untouched wilderness settings:

  • Disperse your presence to prevent the formation of new trails and campsites.
  • Steer clear of areas where environmental impacts are just emerging.


Dispose of Waste Properly

This principle encompasses various aspects, from waste disposal to water usage:

  • Adopt a “pack it in, pack it out” approach. Prior to departing, thoroughly inspect your campsite and resting spots for any litter or food spills. Ensure all trash, leftover food, and litter are packed out, leaving the area cleaner than you found it.
  • Dispose of solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, maintaining a distance of at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, and trails. Conceal and camouflage the cathole upon completion. Note that certain heavily impacted areas, such as Muir Base Camp on Mount Rainier or riverside campsites in the Grand Canyon, necessitate packing out human waste as well.
  • Pack out used toilet paper and hygiene products to minimize environmental impact.
  • When washing yourself or cleaning dishes, transport water at least 200 feet away from streams or lakes. Utilize small quantities of biodegradable soap and disperse strained dishwater thoughtfully.

Refer to our article, “How to Go to the Bathroom in the Woods,” for additional guidance. *coming soon


Minimize Campfire Impacts

Although campfires hold a timeless allure, they also pose significant risks to the environment. Opting for alternative methods, such as a lightweight stove for cooking or a candle lantern for illumination, proves far more eco-friendly. Additionally, indulging in stargazing becomes a delightful alternative, particularly when your campsite lies shrouded in darkness.

In areas permitting fires:

  • Utilize designated fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires for burning.
  • Limit fire size, relying solely on sticks sourced from the ground that can be easily broken by hand.
  • Ensure thorough combustion of all wood and coals until reduced to ash. Extinguish campfires entirely and disperse cooled ashes.
  • Refrain from transporting firewood from home, as it may introduce new pests and diseases to the environment. Instead, acquire it from local sources or gather responsibly where permitted.

For further guidance on campfire construction, consult our article, “How to Build a Campfire.” *coming soon


Leave What you Find

The timeless saying “take only pictures, leave only footprints” remains relevant, though minimizing footprints is even more commendable.

  • Respect historical integrity: Observe cultural or historic structures and artifacts without physical interaction.
  • Preserve natural elements: Leave rocks, plants, and other natural features undisturbed.
  • Prevent the spread of non-native species: Thoroughly clean boot soles, kayak hulls, and bike tires between excursions to avoid introducing or transporting invasive species.
  • Refrain from constructing structures, furniture, or digging trenches, thereby maintaining the natural landscape.


Respect Wildlife

Avoid approaching animals. Both you and the wildlife can appreciate encounters more by utilizing the zoom lens on your camera and carrying binoculars.

  • Observe wildlife from a distance without attempting to follow or approach them.
  • Refrain from feeding animals, as doing so can harm their health, disrupt natural behaviors, and expose them to predators and other risks.
  • Safeguard wildlife and your food by securely storing rations and trash.
  • Maintain control of pets at all times or opt to leave them at home.
  • Exercise caution around wildlife during sensitive periods such as mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.


Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The golden rule, “Treat others the way you would like to be treated,” extends to outdoor settings as well.

  • Show respect to fellow visitors and uphold the quality of their outdoor experience.
  • Practice courtesy by yielding to other users on the trail.
  • When encountering pack stock like horses and mules, step to the downhill side of the trail.
  • Take breaks and set up campsites away from trails and fellow visitors.
  • Allow the natural sounds of nature to prevail by refraining from loud voices and noises.
  • Responsibly manage your pet’s behavior to ensure minimal disruption to others.


Leave No Trace:  Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Leave No Trace Seven Principles serve as a vital guide for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, promoting responsible and sustainable practices in wilderness areas. By adhering to these principles, we not only minimize our impact on the environment but also ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty of our natural spaces. Through conscious efforts to leave nothing behind but footprints and take nothing away but memories, we can preserve the integrity of our ecosystems and foster a deeper appreciation for the great outdoors. Embracing these principles not only benefits the environment but also enhances our own outdoor experiences, allowing us to connect with nature in a more meaningful and respectful way. As stewards of the land, let us commit to upholding these principles and leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.

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