Talking About Green

Leave No Trace is a national and international program whose goal is to teach people how to protect  the environment when they are involved in outdoor activities.  Whether you are going on a day hike or an extended backpacking trip, there are some guidelines that you can follow.

Plan Ahead
•    Maps, brochures, regulations – It is important to know the terrain where you will be camping or hiking.  Know the land use regulations, such as, are open fires permitted or are you allowed to bring firewood into the campground.
•    Abilities of your group – Know the strengths of your fellow campers.  Don’t plan activities that are too strenuous for your friends.
•    Set reasonable goals – Decide what you want to accomplish.  Is it to reach a certain destination, like a mountain top or a historical site, or is it to just relax in a natural outdoor setting?
•    Plan meals carefully – Try to minimize the amount of trash that you will create.  Put as much as you can in zip loc bags.  They take up less room than boxes and can be used to pack the trash out.
•    Make sure you have access to a water source.  Take some type of water purification equipment.

Camp on Durable Surfaces
•     The object here is to avoid crushing native vegetation.  Try to camp on sand, or gravel or bare earth.  This is why you have an air mattress.  If you are in a campground where campsites are designated, you should try to place your tents  and kitchen close together.  If you are in the backcountry, spread out.
•    Allow plenty of time to pick out a campsite and to set it up.  A hastily chosen campsite can be environmentally disastrous.
•    Stay on trail when you are hiking.  Don’t cut off trail to take short cuts.

Pack Out Trash
•    If you have planned wisely, you won’t have much trash to pack out.
•    Trash includes vegetative remains as well as paper and tin foil.  Don’t toss your apple core into the woods.  It will attract critters and looks nasty for the next person who comes along.
•    If you are in the backcountry, you must dig a hole for your human waste.  It must be 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 ft. from your camp and any water source.

Leave What You Find
•    Do not take souvenirs back home.  This includes rocks, flowers, seashells and historical artifacts.  If you want a reminder of your trip, take pictures.
•    If you move logs or rocks for whatever reason, put them back when you leave.
•    Don’t put nails into trees to hang clotheslines from.

Fire
•    Camp stoves have a far less impact on the environment than campfires.  There is no need for firewood and no ashes to deal with.
•    However if you must have a fire, collect only dead branch from the ground, no bigger than what you can break by hand.
•    Pack out all campfire litter.
•    Let your fire burn to ashes and then douse those with water.  When thoroughly cool, scatter the ashes in the woods.

Wildlife
•    Do not feed wildlife
•    Don’t approach animals to “get a better look”.
•    Be especially careful during mating season and later when the mamas are caring for their young.

Be Considerate of Others
•    Leave your electronic devices, radios, cds, etc. at home.  If you can’t live without them, use earphones.
•    Avoid hiking and camping on busy holiday weekends.
•    Keep your dog on a leash, or better yet, leave Fido at home.
•    Camp out of site of the trail and other hikers

If you follow these guidelines, you will have a rewarding outdoor experience and you will allow those coming after you to enjoy the same.

Stephanie Trementozzi is the publisher of www.always-outdoors.com, which deals with outdoor activities and products.  She has enjoyed camping and hiking for many years and hopes that you will too.