The Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics is a national
non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and inspiring
responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and
partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness and appreciation with
manufacturers, outdoor retailers, user groups, educators and
individuals who share a commitment to maintain and protect our
countryside and natural areas for future enjoyment.
The Leave No Trace Program is designed to reduce the damage to
wildlands and countryside caused by recreational activities,
particularly non-motorised activities. Roof Rack Shop UK are proud
international partners of Leave No Trace Centre For Outdoor Ethics.
The program promotes the
following seven principles:
Plan Ahead And Prepare:
- Know the regulations and special
concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather,
hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid
times of high use.
- Visit in small groups. Split
larger parties into groups of 4-6.
- Repackage food to minimize
waste.
- Use a map and compass to
eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel And Camp On Durable
Surfaces:
- Durable surfaces include
established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or
snow.
- Protect riparian areas by
camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not
made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing
trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the
middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus
activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the
creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts
are just beginning.
Dispose Of Waste Properly:
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect
your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack
out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in
catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water,
camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and
hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes,
carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small
amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find:
- Preserve the past: examine, but
do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artefacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other
natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or
transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures,
furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimise Campfire Impacts:
- Campfires can cause lasting
impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking
and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use
established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use
sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash,
put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife:
- Observe wildlife from a
distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding
wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviour and
exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food
by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or
leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive
times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate Of Other
Visitors:
- Respect other visitors and
protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other
users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the
trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from
trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail.
Avoid loud voices and noises.
These principles provide general
guidelines that can be applied anywhere. They are based on respect
for the natural world and for other people. This respect, coupled
with good judgement and awareness, will allow you to apply the
principles to your own unique circumstances and leave no trace
wherever you go.
For more information
on Leave No Trace please visit www.lnt.org
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