Leave No Trace Prepared for Boy Scout Troop 63 Woodbridge, CT
What is Leave No Trace? Leave No Trace is a program that evolved from outdoor codes taught by the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service The objective of LNT is to encourage people to visit the outdoors and wild areas but to have minimal impact on the areas that they visit.
What Leave No Trace is Not It is not just pick up your trash Avoid Leave it better than you found it It is not a single set of rules for all areas Leave No Trace provides individualized guidelines for different environments
Who is promoting LNT principles? US Forest Service and other government agencies BSA and GSA REI Subaru Affiliated groups in Ireland, Canada, and other countries
Where and When Leave No Trace can be applied to any troop activity Practicing LNT in Woodbridge reinforces the practices that are now expected in the wilderness
Why is Leave No Trace Important? In 1963 4 million people visited designated wilderness areas In 2000 nearly 30 million people visited these areas, and this number continues to increase
LNT vs. 4Cs The Outdoor Code As an American I will do my best to Be clean in my outdoor manners Be careful with fire Be considerate in the outdoors Be conservation minded
LNT vs. 4Cs, cont d Similar focus, same aim to protect the environment during outdoor activities LNT has heavy focus on planning LNT provides more specific directions on how to leave no trace LNT offers suggestions and training materials for different areas and activities
2 Reasons to Learn Now Many parks and hiking areas require visitors to follow the guidelines that are detailed in LNT New Boy Scout policy requires the incorporation of LNT guidelines into badge work and basic advancement
Camping MB Requirements 1. Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur while camping 2. Learn the Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they mean. Write a personal plan for implementing these principles on your next outing.
HOW 7 Principles Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly Leave what you Find Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE Poor preparation can result in being in a situation where high-impact solutions become expedient or necessary. When planning a trip have LNT principles in mind. Be sure to consider the weather and any rules specific to your destination
The Meals-LNT Link Food packaging is one of the biggest sources of trash on a trip Plan cooking methods that are suitable Pre-cut foods, remove peels and cores, and re-package foods before you go Carefully plan how much food to carry
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Plan your route to use durable trails USE the trail, do not make new paths, if a trail or sidewalk is provided USE IT Learn if stakes are allowed or if other anchoring methods for tents are required
Dispose of Waste Properly Be prepared to carry out all waste for disposal at home Learn if there are disposal facilities for human waste or if cat-holes are allowed, or be prepared to carry this out as well Wash dishes 200 feet away from lakes or streams. Use biodegradable soap, strain dishwater to remove food particles
Leave What You Find Do not remove plants or pick flowers Do not take wildlife from their homes Historic artifacts should remain where they are found. Alert rangers or local authorities if artifacts are discovered
Minimize Campfire Impacts Learn if fires are allowed Do not create new fire rings, use existing rings or bring a stove Ask if local wood must be acquired to prevent introduction of harmful species
Special Fire Techniques Mound Fire Place a tarp over the ground Cover with 8-10 inches of sand, gravel, or mineral soil Wait for the fire to be completely out and ash is cold Spread the ash over a wide area Portable Fire Pan Fire pans can be made from metal oil drain pans, washing machine drums, or portable grills Elevate the pan using stones so it is several inches above the ground
Respect Wildlife Remind scouts to never feed wild animals or leave litter or food waste that they may find Bring gear to store food securely to protect from raccoons and bears. Do not follow or scare wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors Inform your group that horses and other animals have the right of way Remind scouts to yield the trail to faster moving groups Expect to break into smaller groups at times to minimize noise
Leave No Trace Award - Adults Recite and explain in your own words the principles of Leave No Trace, and discuss how an ethical guideline differs from a rule. On each of the three camping trips in Scout requirement 2, discuss with your troop or team the impact problems encountered and the methods the unit used to eliminate or at least minimize those impacts. Read chapters 7 through 10 (Leaving No Trace), chapter 27 (Understanding Nature), and chapter 34 (Being Good Stewards of Our Resources) in the BSA Field book. Share with another adult leader what you learned.
LNT Award- Adults cont d Actively assist (train, advise, and supervise) a Scout in planning, organizing, and leading a Leave No Trace service project that reduces or rehabilitates recreational impacts. Assist at least three Scouts in earning the LNT Achievement Award. Teach a LNT related skill to a Scouting unit or other interested group.
Leave No Trace Award- Scouts Recite and explain in your own words the principles of LNT, and discuss how an ethical guideline differs from a rule. On three separate camping trips with your troop or team, demonstrate and practice the LNT skills appropriate to the trip. Earn the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. Participate in a LNT project that reduces or rehabilitates recreational impacts. Discuss with your troop or team which recreational impacts were involved with the project.
LNT Award- Scouts cont d Give a 10-minute presentation on a LNT topic approved by your unit leader to a Scouting unit or other interested group. Teach a LNT related skill to a Scouting unit or other interested group. http://www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout /leavenotrace.asp
For additional Information www.lnt.org The new Boy Scout Handbook BSA Field Book Local LNT educators Local REI stores
Created by Nora Slanski January 2010 Troop 63, Woodbridge, CT In partial fulfillment of her Wood Badge Ticket NE-II-188