Lead the Way.

Last night I had the privilege of attending the premier of a new climbing film, SPRAY. Debuting close to home, the evening was enhanced by the show of the local climbing community – from area nonprofits, advocacy groups, supporting corporations, the local climbing gyms, and the climbers themselves.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the film and the climbing, one scene in particular left me wondering about the particular set of ethics that surround climbing in the outdoors.

Throughout the film, one climber was in pursuit of his illusive route to end all routes. He felt called to nature, called to the shorelines of northern California, knowing that somewhere amidst the rocky shore he would find the rock that had been bringing him back, time and time again.

He does finally find it – a beautiful, angular slab right at the shoreline. It is overhanging, untouched and ripe for a first ascent. The face is aesthetic and a beautiful route ensues…

…With the aid of several bolts.

As a climber myself, I will openly admit that I often frequent local bolted crags. However, I found myself struck by this climbers justification of his decision to bolt the route, stating that he could remove the bolts and virtually “leave no trace” on the face of this large slab.

When it comes down to it, I suppose the right thing was done by removing as much of a trace from the rock face as possible. However, the scars that were left behind on this face will never heal. The holes that were made to support this sport will be there forever, and the route never becomes “established.” Like trails, should we keep bolts so that future visitors of these crags are given the option outright of choosing the same path? It seems like the rock could end up looking like swiss cheese otherwise – full of holes.

What struck me the most was the fact that there are so many levels of “respect” for a rock in the mind of a climber. Our choices to boulder, trad climb, or sport climb are affected by the sense of proximity and connectedness that we feel while climbing. In the ethics of Leave No Trace, I know what I would do – but what happens when the damage is already done?

I would love to hear thoughts from other climbers on this!

Women and Wilderness

If wildernesses and the abundant American outdoors are to survive, women role models are needed to support, define, and carry outdoor values and ethics to their sisters and children. Women bring to outdoor ethics insights, perspectives, and compassion and a softer, more spiritual focus, It is the responsibility of those of us who have experienced the wildernesses and America’s vast public lands to share our knowledge, our skills, and our love of the outdoors with youngsters, sisters, and female friends.


160 years ago, when Americans challenged the Great Western Wilderness and headed to Oregon, California, and Utah, only 10% of the pioneers were women. As we stumble forward into the 21st century, we won’t change that ratio unless we as women change it ourselves by teaching children and other women of the pleasures that await them. As many as 60% of children born in the U.S. today will be raised by a single female parent. Those children and their weary mothers desperately need the support of those women in the community who understand and love the outdoors.

Unfortunately, accomplished outdoorswomen are vastly outnumbered by women and children who have never slept under stars, never tasted venison or pheasant, never saddled a horse or toted a backpack, never cast a line for a golden trout or walleye, or navigated with a quad map or cooked a gourmet meal on a Primus stove. They have never peered through a spotting scope, strapped on snowshoes or cross country skis, called in a duck, goose, or coyote, never watched a strutting sage grouse at dawn or heard an elk bugle at dusk, sat on the back of a warm horse, or paddled a canoe in the mist.

I challenge all experienced outdoorswomen to give our children and sisters just what they need for the future: a sense of freedom, a sense of belonging to the natural world, a feeling of ownership, and a spiritual connection to the land and the wildlife. Plan a day hike with female friends and their children, demonstrate some outdoor cooking, take a carload of kids fishing, gather your girlfriends and visit a nearby state or national park, raft a river with a couple of teenagers, participate with a child in an Audubon bird count, visit a day care center with your outdoor gear (especially your tent), offer to do an Leave No Trace Awareness program for some third graders. The possibilities are endless. The rewards are infinite.

Linda Serdiuk is a Leave No Trace Board Member as well as a representative from the Backcountry Horsemen of America. She resides in Wyoming.

Our Preservation Predicament

An article in this morning’s New York Times poses a question that hits close to home at Leave No Trace. Cornelia Dean’s piece, “The Preservation Predicament” asks whether conservations efforts are irrelevant with the rapidity of climate change. The article can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/science/earth/29habi.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin

Conservationists are struggle to refocus, some believing a shift should be made from protecting costal areas which will undoubtedly experience great change, to upland areas. Refuges with stable vegetation for preservation potential are also being identified. The scientific community is scrambling to redraft conservation strategies for the future.

Some could argue that Leave No Trace theory and practice is dwarfed in the shadow of this catastrophic change. At its core though, Leave No Trace is a program connecting people, meaningfully and purposefully, to tangible concepts in land protection. It could be that this self-identified “Leave No Trace” community is primed to support whatever our future landscape looks like. Thus, before we throw up our hands and run for the barren, cracked hills, all involved in teaching Leave No Trace ethics — particularly to children — should thoughtfully consider our relevant roles in the conservation movement.

tap, tap, tap... is this thing on?

Hey guys, Melinda here, the new Leave No Trace intern!  I just moved up to Boulder from Texas, where I am currently finishing my last year at Baylor University.  I am majoring in Outdoor Recreation, and am excited to be a part of LNT while earning my degree!  I have spent a couple of summers living, hiking, and climbing around Colorado and am glad to have returned here!  I have had the opportunity of taking two NOLS courses over the past few years, a Semester in Patagonia, and an Outdoor Educator Mountaineering course in the Pacific Northwest.  My summers in Colorado as well as my experiences with the NOLS have led me to understand the importance of Leaving No Trace and practicing minimizing our footprint on the environment.  I am excited to see what my internship at Leave No Trace has in store for me!

¿Sin Dejar Huellas? ¡Cómo no!

Sin Dejar Huellas is Leave No Trace in Spanish. Welcome to the beginning of a new chapter in the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Read below for details about our new educational programs…in both English and Spanish.

Bienvenidos al comienzo de un capitulo nuevo en el Centro de Sin Dejar Huellas. Siga leyendo para detalles de nuestros programas nuevos…en ingles, y español también.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics announces the addition of a Spanish version of its kids program. Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids (PEAK) is a cooperative program between the Center and Recreation Equipment, Incorporated (REI) and is designed to engage youth, ages 6-12, in Leave No Trace education through a variety of hands-on activities. The PEAK pack consists of six activities; additional ones are available through the Center, as well as a Teen Pack with activities for older audiences. The PEAK pack costs $49.95 and the Teen Pack costs $24.95. Discounts are available for members of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Packs are also available through a “loaner” program and through the “Packing with PEAK” grant. For more information about the various ways you can become involved with PEAK, contact the Center at 800.332.4100, write to info@lnt.org or visit the website: www.lnt.org. Additional educational materials are also available in Spanish; a webpage in Spanish is in the works.

El Centro de Sin Dejar Huellas anuncia la traducción española de su programa para niños. El programa se llama “Promoviendo la Conciencia Ambiental en los Niños” (PEAK) y es una asociación entre El Centro de Sin Dejar Huellas y Equipo Recreativo, Incorporado (REI). El programa se trata de educar los niños de edades 6-12 de la recreación responsable, por medio de actividades divertidas y por los siete principios de Sin Dejar Huellas. El paquete PEAK incluye seis actividades; unas adicionales son disponibles por el Centro, así como un paquete de actividades para adolescentes. El paquete de PEAK cuesta $49.95. Los actividades para los adolescentes cuestan $24.95. Descuentos son disponibles para miembros de la organización de Sin Dejar Huellas. También el programa es disponible por préstamo o por una beca “Viajando con PEAK.” Para mas información sobre las maneras en que puede usar el programa, llame el Centro a 800.332.4100, escriba a info@lnt.org o visite el sitio de Web: www.lnt.org. Mas materiales educacionales son disponibles; una pagina de Web en español está en desarrollo.

It's Winter, Get Over It!

A few days after the New Year, my mom commented to me, “Well I’m ready for spring!” It’s a long, cold haul until the first crocuses bloom, I thought, better get over it. For many immersed in the snow and freeze, winter brings gloom. For others, a plethora of outdoor adventures. My goal these days is to get my kids excited about being outdoors when they may feel like hanging more with the TV than with Frosty. Making the outdoors fun when it’s cold and nasty can be a challenge. But with the right combination of fresh snow, hot chocolate and fun activities, it doesn’t take much for kids to have a great time. While visiting friends the other night, the temperature dipping well into the single digits, the kids couldn’t resist playing in the snow cave build on the front lawn. Even in the dark, they got out the head lamps, slid into the icy depths and probably would have stayed for a while if the parents hadn’t insisted they come inside. How quickly they forget the cold when snowy fun takes over. So to avoid the attitude expressed by my mom who fights winter, I’m hoping to instill a love of the season in my kids so they grow up enjoying and taking advantage of all that winter has to offer.

Remotest Spot in the lower 48?

Over the weekend I got into a discussion with a friend regarding the remotest spot in the lower 48 states. What I really want to know, is there any spot that can not be reached within 24 hours from here in Boulder, CO? Maybe a plane flight, a drive, and then a run, ski, paddle or climb. This could actually make for one reality show that I would be interested in. I can not think of any spot off the top of my head. Nominate your remotest spot in the comments!

Plan Ahead and Prepare

While packing with my wife for a recent ski hut trip, we were debating which sleeping bags to bring. In the hut, our lighter bags would certainly be ample, however what if we didn’t make it to the hut? Temps were forecasted for low single digits at night. There had been almost five feet of snow during the week before, so shelter in a snow cave was very viable. But light weight down bags would not be a good choice in a snow cave. We settled on our 0 degree synthetics, even though overkill for the hut.

While at the hut, a discussion ensued with our friends, whether we would survive a night out with what we were carrying. The answer for all was overwhelmingly yes, but then turned to survive vs. comfort. I always enjoy “what if” conversations, and think they are crucial in the planning phase of any trip. In the end we all agreed it would be a good test to spend a planned night out based on what we were carrying.

Which brings up a memory of packing for a multi day climb in Yosemite with a good friend. The weather was forecasted to be good, but due to the remoteness my friend wanted to bring a single bivy sac. I asked if it would do the two of us any good. His response: “You probably wouldn’t brag about it, but sure we’ll survive”. Ahh, good friends.

When Responsibility Calls

There is no way around it… Sustainability is hard. It requires forethought, critical self-evaluation, and a serious amount of passion and belief in your way of living. In a world consumed by materialism, technology, and globalization, where we consistently seek a means that is better, faster, and bigger, it is only recently that “sustainability” has itself grown large enough to become a buzz word… And it is none too soon.

Yesterday, my colleague, Susy, and I had the privilege of meeting with a local corporate partner of Leave No Trace. Teko, though a small sock company, is doing BIG things. Not only do they preach sustainability – they work, live and breathe it.

Recycled packaging, sustainable yarn, carbon offsets, renewable energy, local production, creative shipping methods, biodegradable bags… The list goes on and on. What is encouraging is that the sustainability efforts are not just on the face of the production, but penetrate deep in to the company.

AND, they are great socks, to boot. One cannot help but be inspired.

This year when Leave No Trace takes amps up our internal environmental initiative, we will be excited to add momentum to others in the community, like Teko, who continue to raise the bar… because sustainability is not just our job, it is our responsibility.

National Park Service Comment Cards

Below are actual comments left on National Park Service comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:

"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."

"Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."

"Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."

"Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."

"Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."

"All the mile markers are missing this year."

"Found a smouldering cigarette left by a horse."

"Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."

"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."

"Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."

"Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."

"The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."

"Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."

"Need more signs to keep area pristine."

"A McDonald's would be nice at the trailhead."

"The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."

"Too many rocks in the mountains."

We may laugh at some of these comments and we may have different perspectives on what makes a natural experience in the outdoors, but at least folks are getting outside and enjoying our National Parks.  

Connect Grants for Diverse Communities

With help from REI last year, Leave No Trace introduced a very important new program called “Connect Grants.” The program was constructed to provide grants that diversified Leave No Trace educational efforts and increased the pool of leaders/educators serving a wider cross-section of Americans.

The Connect Grants program made some important inroads in our ability to reach out to communities that we did not traditionally and directly serve. Seven grants were awarded to extraordinary people and organizations across the country. A few highlights included Leave No Trace resources for: 1. an after school outdoor program called Identity serving at-risk Latino youth in Gaithersburg, Maryland; 2. work with Boys and Girls Clubs in Nevada and Virginia 3. resources for Los Angeles Latino high schoolers involved with outdoor stewardship work.

This year, we’re expanding the Connect Grants program. If you are a good candidate for a Connect Grant or if you know someone or an organization that is, look for 2008 information in late February at LNT.org.

I was emailed the following brochure, and I wanted to share it with the Colorado Community. It sounds like a great day of "playing" in the snow!


CELEBRATE NATIONAL WINTER TRAILSÒ
on SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2008
Estes Park, Colorado

EXPERIENCE A FREE DAY OF SNOWSHOEING AND CROSS COUNTRY SKIING EVENTS AT MORE THAN 100 LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

WHAT: The 13th annual Winter Trails® event offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and/ or cross-country skiing free at more than 100 locations in 25 states and four Canadian provinces. Through these easy-to-learn activities, participants can have fun and discover the health and fitness benefits of snow sports. Most Winter Trails venues are located at Nordic Centers while others are on National Forest and Park Service land and at snow resorts. Equipment is provided free by venue or product suppliers. Many venues offer educational programs, lessons, clinics and guided tours.

WHO: Winter Trails is presented through a partnership between SnowSports Industries America, the not-for-profit member-owned trade association representing snow and winter sports companies, American Hiking Society, a recreation –based conservation organization that promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience, and Cross Country Ski Areas Association, a national organization representing Nordic Centers across North America. .

WHERE: More than 100 venues across North America. Visit www.wintertrails.org for updates on locations and event details

WHEN: National Event on Saturday, January 12, 2008; Final Event at Estes Park, CO on Saturday, February, 16, 2008. Visit www.wintertrails.org for hours.

WHY: Winter Trails is a great way to learn winter outdoor activities that are fun and easy to do with friends and family. Snowshoeing is similar to walking and has the shortest learning curve, while cross country skiing offers total body aerobic exercise. Learning either sport can earn points towards a President’s Challenge for Active Lifestyle Award. In 2006, more than 12,000 people partook in Winter Trails and together burned 6 million calories per hour. The average person can burn 500 calories per hour by snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing.

Applicants Wanted for the Leave No Trace e-tour!

Leave No Trace is seeking a dedicated, savvy, dynamic team of educators (only teams of two are accepted as applicants) for seasonal traveling positions. Leave No Trace is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of natural lands by all people. The e-tour seasonal team travels throughout the U.S. teaching and promoting minimum impact techniques to kids of all experience levels. The e-tour will reach out to millions of individuals, promoting stewardship of the outdoors and responsible recreation practices.

Couples and pre-paired teams only apply. We will not place individuals in a team.

The e-tour, sponsored by the Coleman Company, represents the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics as goodwill ambassadors. The team will present special programs and activities specifically for kids in retail stores across the country. Team members will be outfitted with apparel, equipment and supplies necessary for teaching and camping, as well as communicating electronically. Compensation package includes food and lodging expenses and a monthly salary. Part time employment and travel will begin early to mid May 2008 and run through early to late August 2008 depending on start date.

Education and Technical Requirements
* At least two-years of teaching experience
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
* A love of the outdoors along with some outdoor recreation skills: ie: hiking, backpacking, canoeing/kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, winter sports, trail running, etc.
* Current Basic First Aid and CPR certification
* Leave No Trace Training (Master Educator preferred)
* Personal budgeting and expense tracking skills
* Macintosh computer and digital camera proficiency

Leadership and Interpersonal Requirements:
* Direct experience teaching, guiding and instructing (outdoor settings preferred)
* High level of motivation, energy, creativity and professionalism
* Charismatic and entertaining public speaking and verbal communication skills
* Ability to deal with an evolving and sometimes unpredictable itinerary
* Excellent time-management skills

For more information about Leave No Trace, visit www.LNT.org

To apply please submit the following by 2/8/08
1. A joint cover letter, 2 page maximum
2. Resumes for each team member, 2 page maximum per person
**other information and/or material are not necessary or accepted

e-tour
C/O Leave No Trace
PO Box 997
Boulder Co, 80306
OR
jobs@LNT.org

No calls please
Leave No Trace is an equal opportunity employer.

Training Numbers

Here are the 2007 Trainer Course Numbers by region:

Northeast Central

Trainers: 291 Trainers: 233

Courses: 31          Courses: 20

Mountain/West Southeast      International/Others

Trainers: 408 Trainers: 487      Trainers: 169

Courses: 45 Courses: 43      Courses: 14

Receiving training data is helpful is assessing our program and outreach efforts. We hope to make this process easier in the near future by creating on-line reporting systems for Awareness Workshops, PEAK and other Leave No Trace programs. Stay tuned for these updates. Thanks for all the educational efforts put forth last year; we hope to see these numbers increase in 2008!

Educational and Logo Materials from the store

So the new online store for Leave No Trace is up and running.  Well sort of running, we are still experiencing some minor glitches, like you can only purchase one hang tag at a time.  But our developer promises to have these fixed soon.

If you haven't seen the new store, check it out: New Store  It has all the latest in Leave No Trace educational materials, Leave No Trace logo merchandise and items specific for your next trip out.  Keep checking back as we do continue to add new items.  Lately we have added a handful of our most popular educational items in Spanish, as well as patches specifically for Leave No Trace Trainers and Master Educators.

If you ever have a suggestion of an item we should be carrying, feel free to let me know: kurt@lnt.org

Here's to 2008!

Every year, the presence of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics grows across the world because of our loyal members volunteers, educators, and partners.  Thank you for another successful year of education, outreach and awareness! 

For over 25,000 people, Leave No Trace became the non-negotiable and most tangible way of enjoying the outdoors in 2007. In short, because of you, we have accomplished something very important: a growing community.

Thank you for your support - whether it can be measured in volunteer hours or membership dollars.  We couldn't be Leave No Trace without you!

Here's to reaching more people and more recreational areas with Leave No Trace outdoor ethics in 2008!

Happy New Year from Leave No Trace!

I was lucky enough to spend my last day of 2007 in the snowy mountains of Colorado, snowshoeing with my two dogs, Oliver and Misha.  We had a great time playing in the snow and it was so nice to get outside and play before plunging into the New Year.

I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable holiday season.

Cheers!

Catherine