Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace

By Kevin G. Bezy

A great deal of research has been conducted and continues to be conducted on best practices in the outdoors.  Many of the practices that we were taught decades ago have been shown to be more harmful to the outdoor environment than we once thought.  For example, Boy Scouts were taught in the 1950s to ditch their tents (digging a trench around the perimeter of the tent) to avoid water entering the tent in the event of rain.  This was, as they discovered, an erosion-producing practice. Now Scouts are taught to be aware of the terrain and to pitch a tent so that it is out of the way of any possible water path.

The Girl Scouts had a good philosophy, attributed to Chief Seattle – “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.”  The goal is to leave as little record that one has visited the outdoor location as possible.  Now the emphasis is to reduce the possibility of leaving footprints. 

As we Master Naturalists go about studying nature and leading others in that study, there is the possibility that we are creating damage to the environment.  However minor, many small damages turn into larger problems over time.  While most of us have a good understanding of how to protect the outdoors, we can always increase our awareness of environmentally sound practices and adjust our outdoor practices as new research becomes available.

There are organizations that study, teach, and promote good outdoor practices.  A premier organization is Leave No Trace.  Leave No Trace addresses what we as individuals and nature groups can do to protect the wilderness.  Leave No Trace does not address policies or government programs.,  These are handled by other organizations.  As we look at the Leave No Trace principles, we will see that some of the principles may seem extreme and perhaps will not apply to us, yet we can learn from the spirit of the principles.   Let's briefly look at the principles and examine their relevance to us.

 

Principle #1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

Planning ahead has many benefits. There will be fewer surprises on the trip.  One will have prepared for all needs that he or she might encounter.   It is best not to travel alone in the woods and to let others know where we are going and give an approximate return time. 

 

Principle #2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

I don’t know of many Master Naturalists who camp when performing service hours, but some do.  We do walk in the woods and other rural areas.  The goal is to reduce damage to the trail and minimize erosion.  Rock is more durable than sand.  Six inches of snow is more durable than loose soil. 

 

Principle #3: Dispose of Waste Properly

Any waste that we produce should be packed out.  Principle #1 comes into play here.  Take baggies and other items that you may need in the outdoors.  Litter, wrappings, leftover food, etc. should not be left behind.  Some people throw into the woods food waste that will decompose, but this has negative consequences, particularly for wildlife.  At Philmont, the Scout ranch in New Mexico, the hikers are not permitted to spit out toothpaste after brushing their teeth.  Many of us bring garbage bags so that we can pick up litter that we find.   Human waste has to be dealt with the same way that one picks up after a dog on a walk.  It is acceptable to dig a cathole latrine if the terrain allows, but most of the time it is easier or better to pack it out. 

 

Principle #4: Leave What You Find

We are not primarily collectors of what we find.  Usually, we take pictures or make sketches.  We post pictures on iNaturalist, eBird, and other applications.  What we find interesting others will too if we do not take it with us.

 

Principle #5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

The only time we would make a campfire is in an emergency.  But should we need to make a fire, it should be as small as possible and made in a space where it will not endanger the woods or make a permanent mark.  

 

Principle #6: Respect Wildlife

In many ways, we are visitors in the outdoors.  This wasn’t true in the Paleolithic period, but it is now.  We shouldn’t play with or attempt to attract the animals that we encounter.  It could be dangerous for us and them. 

           

Principle #7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Whatever we do, we do not want to negatively affect the outdoor experience of others.  We do not talk in loud voices or make excessive noises.  Some say that we should not wear bright colors, but this is to be tempered with a sense of safety.  We should wear colors that will identify us to hunters and traffic.  The other six principles all point to Principle #7.

 

The Leave No Trace website has a lot of material found at https://lnt.org/why/.  There are training opportunities found at https://lnt.org/get-involved/training-courses/.  Some of the training opportunities are free, on-line,  and about an hour long.  Others are longer and have a fee.  And there are in-person classes that are more in-depth.  The seven principles are at https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/.  Check out the site.  I am sure you will find interesting and beneficial information.

 

Photo by Kathy Fell: River access at Seven Bends State Park (One of Virginia's newest parks!)