Overview
These principles have been adapted to different activities, ecosystems and environments.
Leave No Trace is an increasingly popular and necessary approach to travel in wilderness areas. It is a set of outdoor ethics that began in 1960’s and 1970’s. In this period, there was a large increase in people visiting the wilderness, resulting in the invention of new outdoor equipment such as portable gas stoves, synthetic tents, mattresses and so on. This in turn, had the effect of even more visitors to national parks and outdoor areas. Therefore, different groups and services tried to educate the wilderness visitors to have a minimal impact on nature. In this way, the Leave No Trace Ethics were created.
Know before you go
When you don’t prepare your travels, you’ll have to come up with whatever solution you find in unexpected situations. A lot of those last minute solutions can have a high impact on the environment. So be prepared for any unexpected situation you can imagine.
Stick to trails and camp overnight right
Think about where you put your camper or tent. Try to have as little impact as possible on the soil and don’t crush vegetation and communities of organisms. This is not only important for the environment but also for yourself: You don’t want to get stuck in muddy surfaces.
Stash your trash and pick up waste
Never ever leave trash, nor burn it! If there’s a trash bin nearby, throw your waste in the bin. If not, take it with you. The simplest fundamental rule is: Pack it in, pack it out.. Everything you could take with you there, you can also take back home. Trash and litter in the environment doesn’t only spoil the view, it can also cause damage to plants and animals in the environment.
Leave it as you find it
Minimize your adjustments to the site and do not cause (irreversible) damage to the environment, such as hitting nails in trees, breaking off branches, digging and removing natural elements.
Be careful with fire
Many areas have been affected by the overuse of fires and they can also be very dangerous. In worst case scenarios, a fire can become uncontrollable and spread. Consequences of uncontrollable fires could be most unfortunate. Try to avoid bare campfires and look for alternatives, such as a LED lantern and a cozy blanket.
Keep wildlife wild
Don’t disturb the wildlife and don’t try to touch or catch animals. Leave them alone, respect their environment and minimize your impact on ecosystems.
Share our trails and manage your pet
Respect other outdoor visitors. Following hiking etiquette, don’t make unnecessary noise and let other people enjoy the outdoors too.
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The impact of every individual visitor might be insignificant, the cumulative effect of all outdoor visitors together over years would be huge. Instead of removing humanity completely from these environments, these rules can allow us to continue to enjoy the outdoors. You’ll also give the people, who’ll be visiting the same place right after you, the chance to experience that place the same way you did. It’s only a small effort for every individual to just follow these 7 simple rules but it’ll have major consequences, both short-term and long-term.
So go out there and explore but remember: Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.
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