Leave No Trace
Blog post by GWHVA Intern Eva Heller, 2023
If you are someone that finds yourself drawn to outdoor spaces, or if you have an interest in hiking and other various outdoor activities, then you have probably heard of the phrase “Leave No Trace.” But what does that phrase really mean? In simple terms, it encompasses the idea that we should be conscious of how we think and act while we’re out and about in the environment.
In 2021, the National Park Service had 297 million visits, which was significantly more visits than years prior. As amazing as it is that more people are getting outside, heavy traffic can cause an increase in negative impacts on the environment (such as litter, pollution, and invasive species, just to name a few). Although there usually aren’t malicious intentions by those going on hikes or taking walks outside, we often are unaware of the things we do that may negatively impact our surroundings, and we sometimes lack the knowledge to understand why our actions could be harmful.
Leave No Trace is a program managed by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded to educate and emphasize the importance of self-awareness in the outdoors. The phrase “Leave No Trace” was coined as a result of the organization’s efforts and has since been used frequently in outdoor-related lingo. A large part of the organization’s efforts include the framework they call The Seven Principles. They embody the organization’s mission and provide minimum-impact practices that people should follow when going outdoors.
While these principles might seem self-explanatory, each comes from ongoing, evidence-based research. Scientists and experts in outdoor education and sustainability ensure that research keeps the principles up-to-date with the most current data and information available. With this said, it is important not only to understand the principles broadly, but to also be able to apply them to your personal lives and experiences outdoors. Below we offer an overview of the principles and some examples of how to practice each one when you find yourself on a hike.
Plan Ahead and Prepare: It’s important to plan your trips considering factors such as group size, hiking speed, and food consumption. Thinking ahead about how big your group may be, how fast everyone is able to travel, and how much food individuals are going to eat are all important factors of Leaving No Trace. Longer hikes lead to more food eaten which leads to more waste, which can leave a trace. A group that does not plan thoughtful travel might not be able to travel as fast as expected or needed and may end up creating more impacts if the unexpected occurs.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Durability, as defined by the organization, refers to the ability of surfaces or vegetation to withstand wear or remain in a stable condition. Staying on trails significantly lowers the possibility of scarring the landscape you are hiking and/or camping on, and avoids damaging vegetation and ecosystems. Make sure to travel on constructed trails, and if off-trail travel is needed, do your best to travel on durable surfaces such as rock, sand, dry grassy areas, or areas with sparse vegetation.
Dispose of Waste Properly: “Pack it in, pack it out” is a common and useful phrase that anyone who spends time outdoors should follow. We all have a responsibility to clean up after ourselves when we are outside. It is important to “pack out” all trash that was brought on a trip. A great way to ensure this is to plan ahead and bring a plastic bag that can be designated for the garbage produced on a trip.
Leave What You Find: Part of our responsibility of keeping the environment clean includes leaving it alone. Leave natural areas or sites as you found them, and do not take treasures home with you. As much as we may be fascinated by the beauties of nature, natural objects should stay in the environment. For example, picking a few flowers may seem harmless, but if hundreds of people pick a few flowers, the impact can be significant. Make sure to leave both living (i.e., plants, trees, etc.) and nonliving (i.e., rocks, debris, etc.) things untouched so that the ecosystem remains unchanged. It is also illegal to remove or disturb natural objects and archaeological sites from national parks and many other protected areas.
Minimize Campfire Impacts: Campfires have traditionally been associated with camping and backcountry adventures, but if they are not created and maintained properly, they leave a trace. It is important to consider the potential damage a campfire could have when deciding to build one. If you are camping in an area where there is an existing fire ring, make sure to keep your fire within the ring and let it burn out completely by letting it cool or pouring water on it.
Respect Wildlife: Wildlife can be unpredictable, so quiet and distanced observation is the safest and most respectful way to observe. It is important not to touch, feed, get close to, or pick up wild animals, as this can stress them out, cause them to react, or increase the risk of spreading diseases. Make sure to keep your distance at all times, no matter how cute or friendly an animal might seem.
Be Considerate of Others: Make sure to be courteous of other people, whether they are strangers or a part of your group, while you adventure outside. This ensures that everyone can enjoy their experience, and it preserves a sense of solitude and peace. Rather than playing music from a speaker, for example, it would be more courteous to put headphones in. It is also important to control your pets and abide by the “pets must be on a leash” rule, even if your pet is fine out of one. Be sure to consider how your experience could be affecting someone else’s.
All of these principles encompass this familiar mantra of “treat things (and others) the way you would want to be treated.” They are crucial to the preservation of the ecosystems we are surrounded by, and can be applied anywhere. The nature that sustains us is at risk, and Leaving No Trace helps to protect the environment that influences us. As the Leave No Trace organization says, no matter where or why you get outside, it’s yours to protect.
