An increasing body of evidence confirms what everyone regularly in contact with nature is aware of: It’s beneficial for your health.
A walk in the mountains, woods, or your local park for two hours per week enhances your health and well-being.
We believe all of us should take as many hours outdoors as possible.
But those estimated 8 billion annual visits to the protected areas around the globe impact the planet’s most valuable resources.
The Leave No Trace Principles ( lnt.org) provide guidelines to help you enjoy all Mother Nature offers while preserving the environment for the next generation.
Leave No Trace Principles
Being active can benefit your health; however, it can harm ecosystems, including animals.
When you go out to enjoy your outdoor pursuits, Following these seven guidelines will help you minimize the environmental impact and enhance environmental and recreational sustainability for the next generation.
Plan and Prepare
The importance of preparation isn’t only for your security.
You should also make the right choices to limit the adverse consequences your activities may affect the areas you go to. When planning your trip, think about these things:
Conditions of the environment: Before you embark on your journey, what you’re getting yourself into and make the necessary changes to follow The Leave No Trace Principles.
Wetter conditions Be aware of the conditions you could encounter you will encounter during your visit, and prepare yourself for any potential dangers and extreme weather.
Regulations: Find out whether there are any rules, restrictions, or unique concerns or risks you should take note of.
Size of group smaller groups have less impact, therefore keeping the number of people in your group lower.
Visit time: If possible, try to go out during off-peak hours when crowds are smaller.
If you visit the exact locations, it’s not hurt to review your knowledge of the region and your preparations to ensure you adhere to all the Leave No Trace Principles.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Make sure you plan your route carefully whether you bike, hike or ski, or carry a backpack.
If you are using well-established trails, make sure you stick to the course.
Begin walking in the middle of the path, regardless of the trail’s conditions.
Groups should travel as a single file.
If you’re traveling in less crowded areas of the backcountry, select paths made of durable materials and divide groups to prevent making a trail.
Stay with established campsites in front-country areas or designated backcountry camping areas.
Be sure to set your camp at least 200 feet away from water sources in the backcountry.
If you are planning to travel in a motorhome, adhering to Leave No Trace Principles would necessitate choosing sites and locations with established recreation vehicle areas.
Dispose of Waste Properly
If it is, then take it out.
All waste materials could harm the environment, so ensure you responsibly dispose of your waste.
It takes plastic bottles around 45 years to be broken down.
It’s not an organic substance; therefore, it can’t be broken down.
Aluminum cans take up to 200 years to break down, while food wrappers last 10-15 to 20 years.
According to Leave No Trace Principles, the best method to manage the poop is to place it in a cat’s hole, dig it down to a minimum of 6 inches, and keep it 200 feet away from the water.
Human waste takes around one year to degrade (it’s organic, which means it will decompose).
In areas with a high risk of contamination, putting your waste in a bag is recommended.
With more and more people heading outdoors, etiquette may need you to pack your bags regardless of the location.
Leave What You Find
You’ve likely heard the expression, “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
This expression is an integral part of the Leave No Trace Principles.
It can be difficult to resist picking up flowers or carrying a cool rock or shell with you; however, you must place them in the spot you found them.
Additionally, use a compass and map instead of building rock Cairns.
Do not introduce animals or plants which aren’t natural elements of the natural environment.
Invasive species can rapidly destroy an ecosystem by eating, pushing out, or even outdoing native species.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
People are responsible for more than 85% of wildfires in the US because of fires that are not properly extinguished or not monitored.
The year 2021 saw 7.1 million acres of wilderness destroyed in 2021, a decrease from 10.1 million in 2020.
Campfires are a time-honored tradition, but they are possibly destructive.
The practice of adhering to Leave No Trace Principles means the prevention or elimination of campfires to the greatest extent possible.
Use pits or rings with established locations for camping in an area that allows burning.
Be sure to completely put out the fire before you go to bed to sleep or depart the campsite.
Respect Wildlife
When you go out into the wild, you’re amid wildlife’s territory.
It’s fun to watch wildlife However, keep your distance to ensure your safety as well as theirs.
Whatever cute and determined the ground squirrel (or any other animal) is, don’t eat it!
Ensure you are secure with your food, and maintain a clean campsite following the Leave No Trace Principles.
Be aware of the critical aspects of the life cycle for wildlife and avoid visiting them when your activities might disrupt their natural behaviors.