What is Leave No Trace (LNT)? The seven principles for outdoor ethics.
Whether you are walking on a man-made trail or frolicking through the brush, these are the principles to follow. It is mostly common sense, but these are good to be aware of and teach to your friends, in case they are inconsiderate of the environment. The goal is to reduce your impact on the environment. It’s a lot of responsibility, but future generations will appreciate it.
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
This one is self-explanatory, but to elaborate… Use a map and compass. Bring food and water. Pack sunscreen, even for those of you who say every time “I don’t burn, I tan." Newsflash: you’re asking for skin cancer. Prepare for any type of weather, which means bring a rain jacket and layers. Be familiar with the area you’re going to visit.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Durable surfaces are established trails, rock, gravel, snow, water, and dry grasses. A non-durable surface would include meadows, wet grass, or wild flowers. Running around in a field of flowers pretending you're in the "Sound of Music" may be a fun time, but it's not LNT. Also be sure to set up camp at least 200 feet from water sources and that good campsites are found, not made.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
If you pack it in, you pack it out. This means all trash and leftover food. For answering nature's call, dig a hole (6 in. deep) 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Do everyone a favor and fill the hole when you’re done.
Want to know the 8 D’s of taking a dump in the woods? Yeah, you do.
1. Desire
2. Distance (200 ft.)
3. Da toilet paper (Find smooth rocks or sturdy leaves. Biodegradable TP works too.)
4. Dig
5. Depth/Diameter(6 in.)
6. Dump
7. Disguise
8. Disinfect (Hand sanitizer or soap.)
4. Leave what you find along the way.
Don’t touch or take historic artifacts. Leave plants and other natural objects as you find them. Including flowers. Sorry hippie flower girl, but that headband you made out of dandelions is not LNT. It’s a disgrace to the environment. If you’re such a hippie, you should be saving flowers, not killing them. Take pictures! Then you will have the flowers forever.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
Use established fire rings. Don’t make a new fire ring if there already is one. Burn all wood to ash, put out campfires completely, and scatter the ashes. Use a lightweight stove for cooking. Keep fires small. This may be hard for the pyromaniacs. Sorry.
6. Respect wildlife.
Watch from a distance. I like to use the "rule of thumb." If the animal is bigger than your thumb when you look at it, you're too close. Don't feed the animals! It damages their health and natural behaviors. Animals that associate humans with food become dangerous.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.
Yield to other users on the trail. Camp away from other visitors. Don’t be too loud on the trail. Others are trying to experience nature too, and you’re probably ruining it for them. If you're in a big group, split up into smaller groups or pairs.
Please, for the love of everything wild, use these LNT principles when you’re out exploring.
