The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

Leave No Trace is all about people and the power we have to act as agents of change in the name of conservation, today. We’re about getting people outside, but simultaneously empowering them to enjoy the outdoors in an environmentally sustainable way through minimum-impact skills and ethics.

Leave No Trace is a community of educated, passionate people who are doing the right thing for the outdoors today, and are developing tomorrow’s leaders of conservation.

: 0’dd TrEE Leave No Trace Photo by Bebeboi Uzi

Presented by the National Park Service, this video is an inspiring testimony of individuals who love the land. It introduces the ideas and principles of Leave No Trace and the importance of taking a personal role in preserving the outdoor experience for future generations.

Principle 1 ~ Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Click here for details courtesy of www.lnt.org : ( + )

Principle 2 ~ Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

In pristine areas:

Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

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Principle 3 ~ Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Click here for details courtesy of www.lnt.org : ( + )

Principle 4 ~ Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

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Principle 5 ~ Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

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Principle 6~ Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Click here for details courtesy of www.lnt.org : ( + )

Principle 7 ~ Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

Click here for details courtesy of www.lnt.org : ( + )

Permission to post this text was still pending. I will remove this post if deemed necessary or notified by Leave No Trace Organization so please don’t sue me with plagirism as I am sharing this very important information to everyone. Thank you and hope you learn from this principles. Have a great day! Thanks to Leave No Trace Community.

Join their cause today by clicking here. As a member of this cause, you share our belief that responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide, is the solution to protecting our cherished lands. You may also join Leave No Trace community at http://leavenotracecommunity.blogspot.com.