Leave No Trace facts for kids
Leave No Trace, often called LNT, is a set of ideas that help people protect nature when they are outdoors. It's all about enjoying places like forests and mountains without leaving a mess or causing harm. This idea started in the United States because more and more people were visiting wild places, and this was causing damage.
In 1994, a group called the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics was created. They made educational materials and organized LNT into seven easy-to-follow principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on strong surfaces
- Get rid of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Be careful with campfires
- Respect wildlife
- Be thoughtful of other people
The main goal of these principles is to make sure that when you visit nature, it looks just as wild and beautiful after you leave as it did when you arrived.
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How Leave No Trace Started
By the 1960s and 1970s, more and more people were going outdoors for fun. New gear like lightweight tents made it easier to explore. This meant places like national parks became very popular. For example, the National Park Service saw a huge jump in visitors, from 33 million in 1950 to 172 million in 1970!
People started to worry that these wild places were being "loved to death." There were problems with too many people and damage to nature. At first, rules were made, like limiting group sizes or where you could camp. But many people didn't like these rules because they felt it took away the fun of being spontaneous in nature.
So, the focus changed to teaching people how to be responsible. Groups like the National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) started training experts. These experts taught visitors how to camp and travel with very little impact on the environment. In 1987, they even created a pamphlet called "Leave No Trace Land Ethics."
At the same time, there was a big shift in how people thought about being outdoors. Before, some travelers were proud of using natural resources. But now, the idea was to have the smallest possible impact when visiting nature. Groups like the Sierra Club and the Boy Scouts of America began teaching these new, low-impact ways of camping. Even outdoor gear companies like REI and The North Face helped spread the word.
In 1990, a national education program for Leave No Trace was developed. More government agencies joined, including the Bureau of Land Management in 1993, and the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994.
Over time, the number of LNT principles changed a lot. It started with as many as 75 ideas! But by 1999, the list was set at seven clear principles, and it has stayed that way ever since.
The Seven Principles
These principles help you protect the outdoors.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Always know the rules for the area you are visiting.
- Be ready for bad weather or emergencies.
- Try to visit during less busy times.
- Travel in small groups if you can.
- Repackage your food to create less trash.
- Use a map and compass or GPS. This avoids marking trails with paint or rocks.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Stay on trails and in marked campsites.
- Walk on strong surfaces like rock, gravel, or dry grass.
- Protect areas near water. Camp at least 61 m (200 ft) (about 200 feet) away from lakes and streams.
- Find good campsites instead of making new ones.
- In popular areas:
- Stick to existing trails and campsites.
- Walk in a single line in the middle of the trail.
- Keep your campsite small. Stay in areas where there isn't much plant life.
- In wild, untouched areas:
- Spread out your activities to avoid creating new trails or campsites.
- Don't use places where you see new signs of human impact.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
- "Pack it in, pack it out!" This means take all your trash with you.
- Check your campsite for any leftover food or litter.
- Use toilets if they are available.
- If not, dig a small hole (6 to 8 inches deep) for human waste. Make sure it's at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover it up when you're done.
- Always pack out your toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes. Use only a tiny bit of biodegradable soap. Scatter the dirty water after straining out any food bits.
4. Leave What You Find
- Look at old buildings or artifacts, but don't touch them.
- Leave rocks, plants, and other natural things where they are.
- Don't bring new plants or animals into an area.
- Don't build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Campfires can harm the environment.
- Use a lightweight stove for cooking.
- If fires are allowed, use existing fire rings or fire pans.
- Keep fires small. Only use wood that is already on the ground and can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals until they are ash. Make sure the fire is completely out and cool before scattering the ashes.
6. Respect Wildlife
- Watch animals from a distance. Don't follow or get close to them.
- Never feed wild animals. It can hurt their health and change their natural behavior.
- Keep your food and trash stored safely so animals can't get to it.
- Keep your pets under control, or leave them at home.
- Avoid disturbing wildlife when they are mating, nesting, raising young, or during winter.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Be polite to other people you meet outdoors.
- Yield to others on the trail. This means letting them pass.
- If you see people with pack animals (like horses), step to the downhill side of the trail.
- Take your breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds be the main sounds. Avoid loud voices or noises.
The Leave No Trace Organization
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| Formation | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, USA |
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Executive Director
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Dana Watts |
|
Staff
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18 |
|
Volunteers
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25,000+ |
Since 1994, the Leave No Trace program has been run by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This is a non-profit group dedicated to helping people enjoy and protect the outdoors around the world. They work to teach people about wild places and how to respect them. They do this through education, research, and working with volunteers and other groups.
The Center also has a special program for young people called "Leave No Trace for Every Kid." This program helps kids learn about taking care of the outdoors.
The Center works with many important partners. These include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They also partner with colleges, guide services, small businesses, and youth groups like the Boy Scouts of America.
There are also official Leave No Trace organizations in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
See also
- Clean climbing
- Leave the gate as you found it
- Leaving the world a better place
- "Rules of the Trail" (as applied in mountain biking)
- The Country Code
- Trail ethics
- Tread Lightly!
- Outdoor Code
