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Leave No Trace Blog
- Active 2010–2012
- Posts 661
- Words 130,712
Outdoor ethics outreach, partnerships and park stories from the Leave No Trace Center.
A blog's life in posts
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Showing 1–50 of 661 · page 1 of 14. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
One of 10,000 (opens in a new tab)
Bears were on the loose In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Leave No Trace e-tour set up on just one lake this Monday -- Lake Bemidji. Visiting a beautiful town, the First City on the Mississippi, we got a chance to go to Lake Bemidji State Park to work with a stellar group of high…
Minnesota Summertime (opens in a new tab)
A Minnesota Sunset While the e-tour rolls into Minnesota and the start of summer there, which can mean only one thing -- flat water canoeing. Canoeing is a great way to enjoy the lakes region of the U.S. and Canada, so if you're packing up and heading out to a chain of lakes this summer, here…
Bigfoot On Base (opens in a new tab)
Bigfoot with Scouts at Minot Air Force Base! Stopping in at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, the Leave No Trace e-tour got to talk about the outdoors with families who have hiked and camped everywhere from Germany to Japan to Kyrgyzstan.
Open Places are Great Spaces (opens in a new tab)
Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park The e-tour has made it to the Dakotas! Over the past 48 hours, we have traveled from Nebraska to South Dakota to the northern reaches of North Dakota, arriving in Minot today for a couple days of training.
Leave No Trace Education Near You - Where to find the Traveling Trainers in MAY (opens in a new tab)
The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in May. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. We hope to see you on the road!
Skills - Propane/Natural Gas Canister Disposal (opens in a new tab)
Spring is in the air; time to start planning trips, sorting gear, and possibly, replacing old equipment. But what are you supposed to do with those old, empty (and partially full) gas canisters for your stove? It's not always as easy as tossing it into the trash.
Leave No Trace Backyard Sessions - April (opens in a new tab)
April Backyard Sessions In 2011 the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics introduced a new social activism and environmental stewardship campaign called Backyard Sessions. Backyard Sessions take many forms, but most of all they bring together and activate local communities to incorporate Leave No Trace into all of the ways we live and play.
Southeast Send Off! (opens in a new tab)
All over AR . For the past three months, we have traveled all over the Southeast providing outreach and workshops to more than 25 schools, universities, organizations, and land management agencies. All though Arkansas expands our reach to just west of the Mississippi River, we experienced some creative groups that are benefiting from the Leave No…
Responses to the April Situation (opens in a new tab)
Here's the Situation: While camped in an area that does not allow collection of wood for fuel, you notice people a few campsites over dragging large logs to their fire ring. It's getting dark and the temperature is dropping, but the campsite host that typically sells firewood isn't around and the wood is locked up.
Earth Week in Colorado! (opens in a new tab)
Starting on Earth Day on Sunday in Nederland, the e-tour has been spreading the word about Leave No Trace all over Colorado for Earth Week! It's been a truly beautiful location to talk about environmental stewardship to audiences ranging from interested citizens in Boulder County to high schoolers set on making a difference to elementary…
Lunch Spot of the Week (opens in a new tab)
Can you spot Kate? The Goat Trail over looking the Buffalo River. Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy
Yearning for Higher Learning (opens in a new tab)
San Bernardino Area, CA: This week Team West had the pleasure of spending time with two extremely active student recreation programs. We spent Tuesday at Pomona College with their Outdoor Education Center staff and adventuring members. Thursday we joined CSU San Bernardino's Recreational Sports department for another set of campus outreach and workshops.
Dinner Out in Boulder, CO (opens in a new tab)
A glimpse into the life of the e-tour Traveling Trainer team as they cook up dinner using their Coleman stove!
Leave No Trace - Dolores River Training (opens in a new tab)
This is a guest blog by Jay Loschert, Dolores River Stewardship Assistant for American Whitewater American Whitewater and Lower Dolores Boating Advocates recently sponsored a Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop on March 31 in Dolores, Colorado. Nine whitewater enthusiasts from the Four Corners area joined Rick Ryan, retired Bureau of Land Management river ranger and…
A Snowy Saddle Day! (opens in a new tab)
Riding a bike through Grand Teton National Park! "A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles." - Edward Abbey , Desert Solitaire From October through the end of April, the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton…
Leapin' Lizards! (opens in a new tab)
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA: Last week Team West spent a few hours with Park Rangers from all over the County of San Diego. The collective will be returning to their individual parks and sites with strategies and tactics of how to best connect the messages of Leave No Trace into their visitors…
The Natural State of Arkansas Tech and Beyond (opens in a new tab)
Wildflowers abound in Arkansas Russellville, AR . Team East spent the past two days working with students and faculty at Arkansas Tech University. An educational partner of Leave No Trace, Arkansas Tech strives to promote Leave No Trace within the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Hospitality Administration .
Mr. Foot Goes to Middle School (opens in a new tab)
Bigfoot with 6th Grade Science Teacher Ms. Pieper!! We've always heard that Bigfoot likes to hang around in the Pacific Northwest, but this week he came out of hiding to visit all the 6th graders at South Middle School in Grants Pass, Oregon!
And The Crowd Goes Wild!!! (opens in a new tab)
Have you ever witnessed a user created shortcut along trail switchbacks? While these additional trails may look harmless, unnecessary erosion occurs, thereby damaging the actual trail. In addition, vegetation alongside the trail, which may be home to sensitive wildlife habitats including plants and animals, gets trampled as the trail is widened.
Klamath Falls Bonanza Blitz (opens in a new tab)
Talking Leave No Trace with the US Forest Service & Fish and Wildlife! The Leave No Trace e-tour was invited to Klamath Falls, Oregon, for a community-wide Leave No Trace blitz! The results? Awesome. After driving back into winter snow, the week kicked off with events at a couple of the city's elementary schools.
Feed Us Quackers! (opens in a new tab)
We've been camping in the beautiful County of San Diego, CA at Guajome Regional Park . An urban park with sprawling grounds, an abundance of wildlife and cool shady campsites, we have had excellent accommodations. However while cooking breakfast on our first day in this frontcountry campground, we had some unexpected and uninvited visitors adventure right…
Bigfoot's Dance Moves (opens in a new tab)
Sometimes we're lucky enough to interact with Bigfoot, who's been Leaving No Trace for years. Sometimes he drops some dance moves when he's super excited. Stay tuned for all of his adventures. Sharin' in the Leave No Trace Groove, Quinn & Frank
Delighted in Death Valley (opens in a new tab)
As we wipe the desert dust off of all our belongings, fire up the electronics, and regain reception we realize it's been a while since we blogged. Even a Traveling Trainer needs some down time and after a week of restful vacation we were blessed to enjoy a warm and windy week in Death Valley…
Monkeying Around in Franklin, NC! (opens in a new tab)
Tracy uses "Sparks" the camp stove to teach Be Careful With Fire Franklin, NC. Franklin is a mountain town nestled in the Nantahala National Forest . There is no shortage of recreational activities in this region of the country. The Traveling Trainers were on hand to visit local schools, provide an evening program at the library…
Photo of the Week -- April 1, 2012 (opens in a new tab)
Two images of Yosemite Falls, taken two hours apart. Chasing Winter, Quinn & Frank
Talking Forest Good (opens in a new tab)
While traveling through California, the e-tour got to stop at one of the premier historic sites of the conservation movement of the late 19th and early 20th century -- a campsite in Yosemite National Park where President Theodore Roosevelt, who was instrumental in the protection of many public lands and the US Forest Service , camped with…
Be Our Guest (opens in a new tab)
Students sketching Lower Yosemite Falls A Leave No Trace mindset tip from the e-tour : Heading to a National Park, State Park, or National Forest? Don't just think of yourself as a visitor -- think of yourself as a host! Everyone who visits these incredible areas after you will enjoy your hospitality.
March Situation Response (opens in a new tab)
The Situation You are car camping at a park and have read the regulations, which clearly state that there is no disposal of greywater on the ground. Unfortunately, there is no literature telling what you should do otherwise. What would you do?
Leave No Trace Education Near You: Where to find the Traveling Trainers in APRIL (opens in a new tab)
The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in April. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. We hope to see you on the road!
2012 Backyard Sessions (opens in a new tab)
In the last year, the Center has initiated a new focus of incorporating Leave No Trace education into volunteer community-service projects. In 2011, Leave No Trace educators and volunteers facilitated 23 such projects resulting in almost 8000 man hours of trail work, invasive species removal, and clean-ups.
Snot Rags vs. Snot Rockets (opens in a new tab)
Lakeland, FL. This weekend we traveled to Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve to facilitate a two day Leave No Trace Trainer Course. With the help of Michelle Thompson, Wellness Programs Manager of Florida Southern College , we hiked to a beautiful campsite with 5 other eager participants that were excited to bring Leave No Trace education back…
The Sounds of (Wild) Silence (opens in a new tab)
The New York Times recently wrote an article about the field of "soundscape ecology" and how the sounds of nature can be just as important as the sights. In the piece, titled " Whisper of the Wild ," the author emphasized how the quiet of nature, free from the sounds of humans and their engines, may be…
Your Turn Kids! (opens in a new tab)
Create! Play! Win! Do you have, know or teach children between the ages of 6-12? If you do, please share this contest with them! Our corporate sponsor, Clif Bar , through Clif Kid is holding their "Backyard Game of the Year".
Back to Winter for the Spring Solstice (opens in a new tab)
Quinn on skis! At a yurt! Arriving in Tahoe after their best snow of the season, the e-tour made its way to Hope Valley Outdoors for an event with some local elementary school children. Hope Valley Outdoors is a backcountry ski yurt that provides rentals, guiding, and school outreach.
Leave No Trace Hot Spots Update (opens in a new tab)
Earlier this year the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics selected its first Hot Spot of the year, the Fourmile Area near Buena Vista, Colorado. Near both Denver and Colorado Springs, Fourmile is one of the most heavily used areas in central Colorado and recreation-related impacts are significant and growing.
What's In Your Campfire? (opens in a new tab)
While most people familiar with Leave No Trace generally do not burn trash, those who are uninformed occasionally (or perhaps more often) burn trash in their campfire. While this seemingly innocent act may not cause seemingly significant immediate impacts, there are impacts nonetheless.
Time to Finish What You Started (opens in a new tab)
Where You Play, USA: How many times have you seen this? The obligatory dog waste bag left 'conveniently' for you to see and the proud puppy parent to forget. Most everyone we discuss this impact with agrees that it is unsightly, stinky, unsafe, and widespread.
500th Event For Team East! (opens in a new tab)
Tequesta, FL. This past weekend marked a very special event for Team East. We set up our arsenal of Leave No Trace educational materials for the 500th time! The timing was just right for us because the event happened to fall on our favorite vessel to teach others about Leave No Trace, a trainer course.
Bigfoot was here! (opens in a new tab)
Have you seen the big guy around?...
Between a Rock and a Coffee Pot (opens in a new tab)
Climbers in Joshua Tree On Saturday mornings in one of the premier climbing spots in the country, Park Ranger and legendary character Bernadette hosts Climbers' Coffee at Joshua Tree National Park . The e-tour had the chance to stop by this event this week and chat with avid rock climbers who had flocked to this climbing…
Picture of the Week 3/18/12 (opens in a new tab)
Santos Trailhead- Ocala, FL...
Sly as a Fox (opens in a new tab)
Channel Islands National Park As the e-tour continues to head west, we leave the "sky islands" of Southern Arizona for the Channel Islands off the coast of California. This epic series of islands, designated a National Park in 1980, hosts a variety of endemic and fascinating species.
Signs of Spring (opens in a new tab)
Kingman Wash, Arizona: The Southwest weather is well into the swing of Spring. So are the animals. The sixth Leave No Trace Principle, 'Respect Wildlife', encourages us to avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. With habitat loss at an all time high, interactions with wildlife are becoming increasingly frequent.
Take A Peek at PEAK In Action (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon Springs, FL . Take a look at this video, shot at an elementary school in Florida earlier this week. Kate leads a lesson on leave no trace using the PEAK Program. PEAK- Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids- is an interactive, engaging program designed to educate youth about responsible recreation and land stewardship.
Fat Tire Fun in Florida! (opens in a new tab)
Ocala, FL . This weekend we had a blast at the Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival in Ocala, FL. This weekend long festival, hosted by the Ocala Mountain Bike Association , is in its sixth year. The festival provides an opportunity for riders from all over the southeast to get together and enjoy the beautiful trails near…
Out West with Team West (opens in a new tab)
Saguaro! What's the only thing better than one Traveling Trainer team? Two Traveling Trainer teams! This past week we met up with Mark & Tara from Team West for a few days and an event together in Tucson. With our powers combined, we capitalized on our time in the desert amid the beautiful cacti of the…
Plan Ahead and Prepare in Mountaineering (opens in a new tab)
Guest Blog by Linden Mallory, Senior Guide RMI Expeditions With mountaineering and climbing growing in popularity comes an added responsibility for climbers to reexamine our actions while we pursue our passion. For close to a decade the guides at RMI Expeditions worked with the Center to develop the Mountaineering Curriculum for Leave No Trace.
All My Good Friends Call Me Wilderness (opens in a new tab)
The Galiuro Wilderness This past week the e-tour tromped, trekked, and tracked through the Galiuro Wilderness on our Leave No Trace Master Educator Course with NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School) . This ecosystem, a "sky island" in Southern Arizona, moves from desert to alpine vegetation as it increase in elevation up to and above 7,000…
It's National Environmental Education Week! (opens in a new tab)
Teach others to walk through the middle of a muddy trail, instead of around it, to avoid unnecessary erosion and trampling of vegetation along side the trial. In an age where technology seemingly tethers people to their electronic devices more and more, connecting kids and adults to the natural world is crucial.