Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace, Inc. www.lnt.org The Leave No Trace educational program was organized in 1991 in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In 1994, the non-profit organization Leave No Trace, Inc., developed a partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as educators, outdoor retailers, manufacturers, and individuals who share a commitment to protect and maintain wild and natural areas for everyone to enjoy. The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly Leave What You Find Minimize Campfire Impact Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Others
Benefits of Applying LNT Better planning leads to safer trips and lighter packs Prevents avoidable impacts, minimizes unavoidable impacts Protects the quality of natural environments and recreation experiences Avoids or minimizes the need for restrictive management regulations or use limitations
Plan Ahead & Prepare Know regulations and special conditions for the area you plan to visit Bigelow Preserve, Fire Warden s Trail Appalachian Trail, Maine
Plan Ahead & Prepare Trail signage offers valuable information Read & Be Advised! Mt Whitney Trailhead Permit Regulations Inyo National Forest, California
Plan Ahead & Prepare Educate yourself about local wildlife and necessary precautions required Deer ticks www.wildmedcenter.com
Plan Ahead & Prepare Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies
Plan Ahead & Prepare Organize individual and group gear use your checklist! Bahia de Los Angeles Baja, California
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Popular or Front Country Areas include heavily traveled trails and campsites, usually including State and County Parks Pristine or Back Country Areas include remote wilderness areas, often without designated trails or campsites
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Follow established trails Half Dome, Cable Climb Yosemite NP, California
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Avoid walking around muddy, swampy areas of the trail, which causes erosion and the trail to become wider Fire Warden s Trail, Bigelow Preserve, Maine Eagle River Trail, Eagle River, Alaska
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Follow trail blazes Badlands National Park, South Dakota Appalachian Trail, Bigelow Preserve, Maine
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Follow switchbacks to avoid erosion and disrupting animal habitats Whitney Zone, Sequoia National Park Cinque Terre Trail, Italy
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Exposed root systems are particularly sensitive to foot travel and erosion avoid direct contact! Left: Giant Sequoia Tree, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite NP, California Right: Acadia NP, Maine
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces Recognize areas of re-vegetation by avoiding impact Left: Inside Kileau Crater Center: Lake Maria Right: Avery Col, Bigelow Preserve Volcanoes NP, Hawaii State Park, MN Previous site of lean-to shelter Appalachian Trail, Maine
Dispose of Waste Properly Pack out all leftover food and trash
Dispose of Waste Properly If you don t bring drinking water with you, use appropriate water purification methods. If it s potable, it s safe! Wildcat Campground Point Reyes Nat l Seashore
Leave What You Find Load your cameras, not your packs Preserve the past observe cultural and historical structures from a distance Pu uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park Big Island, Hawaii
Leave What You Find Learn about the area you re visiting to increase your appreciation Naturalist-led hike Baja of Mexico
Leave What You Find Leave rocks, plants & other natural objects as you find them Azaleas, Acadia National Park Yucca, Maui, Hawaii
Leave What You Find Appreciate landmarks from a distance defacing signs is illegal.
Respect Wildlife Observe wildlife from a distance do not approach or follow. Educate yourself about species in the area. Coast Trail Point Reyes Nat l Seashore
Respect Wildlife Respect animals during nesting and mating seasons. Use binoculars to observe wildlife from a distance. Sea Turtle Pu uhonua O Honaunau Big Island, Hawaii
Respect Wildlife Before bringing your pet from home, check with Park/Federal regulations. If you choose to bring your pet, learn to control him/her with commands or a leash. And by all means, have a poop plan for your pooch!
Be Considerate of Others Hikers walking downhill, horses and stock animals have the right-of-way --- stop at the right side of the trail and allow them to pass Inyo National Forest
Be Considerate of Others Keep your group size small 4-6 maximum After the summit, Mt Whitney, California
Be Considerate of Others Show respect for private landowners, trail crew, and support native people in the areas you travel Left: NP Trail Crew at work Half Dome Trail Yosemite NP, California Right: Honauanu Big Island, Hawaii
Be Considerate of Others Children should carry their own basics water bottle, snack, jacket & wear bright clothes Madeline Island, Lake Superior, Wisconsin
NCC Hiking Trail Thank you for participating in this Service Learning project! Please protect the trail and natural vegetation of the area by educating others about the Leave No Trace principles.