For me getting outside is a safe space. A place where I can learn and grow without judgement, a place where I’m able to find inspiration, build relationships, relax, and simply have fun. Recreating outdoors for me has always been a no-brainer, you just have to go outside! But, it took me a very long time to realize that there were a few things I was doing that was actually quite harmful the the spaces I was recreating in.
I wanted to create this post to shed some light on things I’m sure all of us have been guilty of, that we may not have even realized it could be harmful to the environments we love. Whether it’s leaving fruit scraps on the ground, or getting way too close to a wild animal just for photo.
With outdoor spaces becoming more and more popular, it’s important to remember that we all can make a positive impact on these spaces while following the 7 principles of leave no trace from LNT.org
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Every outdoor space has different regulations in terms of what you might be required to carry for overnight stays. For example, if you want to backpack in Yosemite National Park, you’re required to not only have a backcountry permit, but you’re also required to carry a bear can to store your food and scented items. Make sure you’re aware of the regulations of each place you visit, as well as understanding what conditions will be like during your trip. Being well prepared for any hazardous weather is important to staying safe and makes your trip way more fun. I’ve never been a big planner, even when I worked as a guide and it was my job to have everything accounted for. Here’s a basic checklist I’ve used throughout the years that’s simple and gets straight to the point:
Where am I going and what are the rules there?
What’s the weather going to be like?
How many days will I be out and how much food should I bring?
Do I have the equipment and skills required for this trip?
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Nature is pretty resilient, but not when it’s consistently being trampled down by people.
You might think you’re the only one who’s walking off trail or that camping in non-designated spaces doesn’t matter, but it only takes one person to do the damage before others start to follow suit. If you plan on setting up a tent, look for an open space to set up and avoid spaces where you notice sensitive plants growing.
If you’re on a hike and want to travel off trail, please be mindful of any sensitive vegetation or other organisms found in the area. For example, the California Poppy is a gorgeous little flower that can turn entire hillsides to vibrant shades of orange, however they are extremely fragile and killed easily when stepped on. They also don’t grow where the soil has been packed down by humans walking, so an innocent step to the side of the trail for that perfect photo, can actually do more harm than you think.
Another great reason to stay on trail and camp on durable surfaces in deserts - when seemingly nothing is there - is to protect cryptobiotic soil! Yup, you read that right, we’re talking about soil crust made up of algae and fungi that’s living and is super fragile. Why should you care about soil? Well, this soil crust is extremely important for resisting erosion and retains water for those stubborn desert plants to stay alive during periods of drought. No crypto means our desert ecosystems fall apart!
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
This one is my biggest pet peeve, and definitely one that we’re all guilty of at least some point in our lives. All wrappers, bottles, toilet paper, and even apple cores or orange peels must be thrown away in the appropriate waste bins - not on the ground!
You might be wondering, “But Lauren, doesn’t TP and fruit decompose?” While the answer to this is yes, it can actually take months to years before these things actually decompose depending on the weather and environment. I think we all know how gross it is to be hiking outside and come across some used TP, lets not be that person.
What I like to do when I’m on a hike or backpacking trip is to carry a ziplock bag inside another ziplock bag inside my backpack so I have a separate space to store my wrappers and other waste and don’t need to worry about it getting on any other items in my backpack.
If you packed it in, please pack it out!
Bonus points to you if take this one a step further and pack out trash you find on trail!
4. Leave What you Find
There’s this saying that goes something like “Leave only footprints, take only photos” which I think perfectly describes this principle. I’ve been super guilty of taking things out of their natural home for a long time - why the heck does it matter If I take this one stick home when there’s hundreds more laying around? Well, to put it simply everything has its place in its own ecosystem. If an animal doesn’t use it for it’s own shelter, then it will go back to the earth and provide nutrients for more plants to grow.
As cool as that pinecone would be on your shelf, it would be much cooler if it was given the opportunity to grow into a tree!
5. Minimize Campfire Impact
Arguably one of the best things about being outdoors is being warmed by a campfire. However, there’s many circumstances where a campfire can negatively impact the environment you’re in. Make sure to do your research on where it’s appropriate to build a fire according to the regulations of the place you’re visiting. In many alpine (above 10,000ft) and desert environments, campfires are not allowed at all, or only in designated fire pits. 99% of wildfires that occur in California are caused by humans that could have been avoided if we followed the leave no trace guidelines regarding fire safety.
6. Respect Wildlife
Give wild animals lots of space, do not try to approach them or pet them, and definitely do not feed animals no matter how cute they may seem. Getting close to animals may seem harmless but it’s incredibly important not only for our own safety that we respect these wild animals, but it’s also incredibly important for their own survival that they do not become accustomed to or reliant on humans and our food.
If you’re camping, you must be 200 feet away from a water source or trail, so you can give space to other hikers, and any animals that might want a late night drink - this is their home after all, we’re just visiting.
7. Be considerate of other visitors
Just as it’s important to respect wildlife, we should also respect our fellow humans who are trying to recreate in the outdoors alongside us. While It’s fun to play loud music at a party, the trails isn’t really an appropriate place for a loud speaker when others are trying to decompress and observe nature. Be sure to give way to runners, cyclists, and horseback riders and set up camp an appropriate distance from others and the trail. We’re all just trying to enjoy the outdoors in our own way, so let’s be kind and respect to each other while we are out there!
8. Social Media Awareness
Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about social media awareness when talking about the Leave No Trace Principles, so while it isn’t an official principle, I believe it’s important that we’re all aware of the negative side affects social media can play towards outdoor spaces. LNT.org did post some guidelines that I will post here for you to check out. There’s been tons of incredibly beautiful spaces I’ve found out about through social media, however many of these spaces can’t handle the impact that millions of people can make on it all at once if the area suddenly blows up in popularity through social media. Social media can be such a great tool for finding out about new places to explore, but try to be mindful of geotagging specific areas to avoid causing any unnecessary damage to these places. The goal here isn’t to be “elitist” and keep others out, but to avoid negative environmental impact.
Recreating outdoors is a constant learning experience, and I can tell you right now that I’m not some LNT saint. There’s been many times throughout my outdoor recreation journey where I unknowingly didn’t follow the leave no trace guidelines - heck, I didn’t even know that guidelines existed!
Now that you’re more aware of how to recreate responsibly outside, get out there and have fun!