The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.
As we get ready to welcome in the new year, we also would like to welcome in the newest Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer team, Jason and Agata Ketterick! We had the opportunity to meet them in MA for lunch and chat about life on the road. Starting off as Team West, the two are eager to hit the road and begin their adventure. We look forward to meeting up with them again in Boulder, CO at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics as we prepare for the 2010 season. We wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. See you all in 2010!
I was recently notified of a temporary exhibit at Boston's Museum of Science that paints a picture to help us understand better the cumulative impact of the small actions of billions of people. Called Running the Numbers: Portraits of Mass Consumption, the exhibit comprises the works of photographer Chris Jordan. An example of the photographer's work is "Cans Seurat," based on Georges Seurat's pointillism masterpiece "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"; however, Jordan's piece is composed of thousands of aluminum cans (106,000 to be exact), rather than dots.
This exhibit raises questions regarding the combined impacts of large groups of people: all the more reason to practice Leave No Trace! For those of you not in the Boston area, feel free to visit the Museum of Science's website for more information and pictures: http://www.mos.org/exhibits_shows/current_exhibits&d=3890.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays and this season of traveling via planes, trains and automobiles. If you are lucky enough to do some non-motorized traveling - walking through a snowy park, snowshoeing on a nature trail or gliding down a mountain - be sure to keep leave no trace practices in mind wherever your destination may be.
Winter conditions can be extreme so planning a preparing for your outing will ensure a safe and fun trip.
What is now a beautiful landscape of snow might become a flowing stream or important water source come springtime, so knowing the landscape, staying on designated trails if possible and packing out trash will help maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Winter can also be a vulnerable time for wild animals, so being extra careful to respect wildlife and maintaining a safe distance will ensure their safety and yours too.
And, as always, practicing leave no trace keeps open spaces accessible for years to come, so here's to fun, safe and responsible recreation in 2010. Happy New Year!
I guess I was good enough this year to make Santa's list. He brought me a nifty new digital camera that is waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof, dustproof, etc. Now if I can just figure out how to work the thing I'd be all set. It came with a 275 page instruction manual. And that's just the English version. I have a bit of reading to do...
Nonetheless, I took the camera to a local tailwater river yesterday to see if I could get some underwater shots of trout. First, of course, I had to catch them but that wasn't terribly difficult despite the 12˚ air temps. The hardest part of fishing in the winter is keeping your hands warm. Well that and getting out wind knots in tiny monofilament tippet and tying on size 22 midges (tiny, tiny bugs).
Regardless, I did catch some fish and I did take some underwater shots. For a first attempt, they weren't too shabby.
I got to thinking about respecting wildlife on the drive home, and having this new camera reminded me that there are definitely ways to enjoy wildlife in ways that are both legal (catching and releasing fish) and ethical (not getting too close, not feeding, etc.). It boils down to doing what we can to respect and protect all wildlife.
The Leave No Trace concept is one that crosses all boundaries of the recreation spectrum and is applicable for anyone who enjoys spending time in the out-of-doors. The idea is simple – leave the places you enjoy as good or better than you found them. There are both skills and ethics involved, as well as good decision-making. We believe that if people do something, even something simple, to help take care of the recreational resources they cherish, we will all benefit. Cleaner water, less campfire impacts, fewer negative encounters with wildlife, less damage/loss of cultural and historic artifacts are just a few of the benefits of adhering to Leave No Trace.
Leave No Trace is a universal philosophy that could and should be part of any outdoor experience. The very nature of Leave No Trace lends itself well to fostering a cooperative spirit of stewardship. From federal land management agencies to outdoor equipment manufacturers to NGOs to outfitter and guide services to local governments to individuals, Leave No Trace is the common denominator that leads us all towards the common goal of enjoying the outdoors responsibly.
With generous support from REI, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has also developed a new, downloadable activity for teens. This activity is also translated and is downloadable in Spanish. Videos, in English and Spanish, accompany the Teen downloads to help describe the activities, props and space needed.
Are your favorite trails covered with snow and ice this time of year? Mine sure are, but with beautiful weather this past weekend, there was no reason to stay inside. However while hiking up my favorite local mountain, I was aware of the similarities between Springtime mud and Winter snow and ice. All too often folks innocently step around these areas to avoid the mud or avoid slipping. Unfortunately this quickly leads to widening of the trails, or worse, parallel trails forming.
What if you didn’t have to step around the snow and ice? Here are my favorite tricks to stay upright in the winter:
Good shoes are a must. I have a pair of gortex trail runners that are my dedicated Winter shoes. Dry feet equals warm feet for me. Many folks then add something like Yak Trax for traction. My personal favorite however is a far cheaper option, but requires dedicated shoes. See an excellent summary on using sheet metal screws written by Matt Carpenter. Lastly, if you are out for hike, consider taking a pair of hiking or trekking poles with you. Happy Solstice and happy trails!
On a recent trip to Canyonlands National Park in Utah, I learned about a way that the National Park Service helps to limit the visitation and use of delicate archaeological sites. Before heading out, a friend told me of an archaeological site in the park that was accessible to visitors but not officially advertised in any information or maps published by the NPS. However, park officials were required to disclose the location of the site if a visitor asked for directions.
Still, I was a little shy when I walked up to the desk in the Island of the Sky Visitor Center and asked the Park Ranger about the site. To my surprise, he did not hesitate at all to begin describing the hike to the archaeological site. He then explained to me how the National Park Service minimizes the number of visitors to fragile cultural resources. Some sites, such as the Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park are openly advertised in park publications. These sites are denoted as "Class 1" archaeological sites. "Class 2" sites are those that are never mentioned by park employees unless someone inquires about them. The site I visited in Canyonlands was such a site. "Class 3" sites, however, are off limits to any visitor: even if someone asks for their locations.
So next time you visit a National Park, take advantage of the opportunities to visit archaeological sites that are not well-known to the general public. But please do so responsibly, and Leave What You Find!
We are back on the road again...but just for a short trip! Although we are in the off season, we are heading east to Massachusetts for the holidays and to connect with the newest Traveling Trainer team, Jason and Agata Ketterick! We are looking forward to meeting up with them as they start their season off in January.
Since it is the off season, we are busy, busy, busy working on the 2010 schedule. Have you put in your request for 2010? This is a great opportunity to have a team visit and provide FREE outreach! Putting in a request is simple- just click HERE or go to http://www.lnt.org/programs/travelingtrainers Then just fill out the form for either Team East or Team West and click submit! It's that easy!!
CHICAGO -- State and Federal agencies have begun poisoning a nearly 6-mile stretch of the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal to kill off invasive Asian carp while maintenance is performed on an electrical barrier intended to keep the fish out of Lake Michigan. The Lake’s ecosystem is already irreparably damaged by invasive species making the introduction of these new invasive fish a dire threat to the entire Great Lakes system. The fish can grow to 100 pounds in size and out-compete native species in an ecosystem due to their prolific breeding and ability to filter feed 40% of their body weight on a daily basis. Underscoring the threat, Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan today called for the re-opening of a nearly century-old case sitting before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Chicago Diversion to force immediate action around the carp issue. Read more here: http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/40780
Guest Blogger, Chelsea Congdon, of First Light Films.
America's commitment to wilderness preservation is something all of us can be proud of. In 1964, the Wilderness Act was signed into law, and America became the first country to create a law to keep the wildest lands wild and save part of the world from the dominion of man. Above all, the Act gave ordinary Americans a tool for protecting the mountains, forests, deserts, prairies, and rivers they loved most from the steady march of industrial development. In the 45 years since the passage of the Wilderness Act, over 100 million acres of America’s most lovely lands have been designated as Wilderness.
A new film, Forever Wild: Celebrating America's Wilderness captures the glory of undeveloped, wild places through stunning images and the moving tales of America’s modern wilderness heroes – volunteers who have spent countless hours and immeasurable energy working to ensure that the places they love remain forever wild. In Colorado, California, and New Hampshire, these are tales of vision and dedication by Americans who work to preserve a legacy of wilderness for all to enjoy. Narrated by Robert Redford, and featuring the prose of Terry Tempest Williams, the stories of modern wilderness heroes guide the viewer through an examination of America’s commitment to wilderness preservation.
Wilderness in America won a respite in 1964. Today, nine out of ten Americans support the protection of public lands as wilderness. However, many people are unaware of current threats to wilderness quality lands that remain unprotected. Nor are they aware of the unique opportunity afforded to citizens by the Wilderness Act to play a direct role in protecting the places they love most. As America grows more urban and multi-cultural, and as people spend more time indoors and on-line, long-term support for wilderness preservation will depend on finding ways to communicate the wonder and importance of wilderness to people who may never experience wild places themselves.
We hope that this film plays a valuable part in re-connecting people with wilderness and how they can help preserve these last bits of wild land. The film was broadcast on PBS this fall, and will air again on many stations, and will be re-broadcast in April 2010. To learn more about the film, visit www.foreverwildfilm.com.
Looking to show your support of Leave No Trace and communicate your partnership to your community? Consider using our current PSAs - they're free and available in print and web format for all current partners.
There are three different versions in the series that are available in full, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 sizes for print publications, in addition to web banners (shown below).
If you're interested in hosting an ad or web banner, please contact Sara Close (Sara@LNT.org)
Each year, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics honors the extraordinary people, organizations and companies that have made important contributions to the Leave No Trace program. At a November 4th awards ceremony at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, Colorado, 23 honorees were singled out. This group was selected from thousands of Leave No Trace volunteers and partners for their inspiration, leadership and innovation. The ceremony included a showing of short films from the 2009 Adventure Film Festival, including the festival’s Leave No Trace Award winning film, Ascending the Giants.
Join us in congratulating the complete list of the award recipients, below.
Rick Crosson — 2003-2009 Recognition and Service Award
Rick Crosson from Subaru of American is a Leave No Trace Board Member and is the current Chairperson. Rick has served on the Leave No Trace Board for six years as Treasurer and as Chair for the past two and a half years, and has provided important insights and solid leadership to the Leave No Trace Board and Staff during his tenure. He served on the International Committee helping shape our early international program, later on the Audit Committee, and finally on Executive Committee, steering the organization soundly in recent years.
David Jayo — 2003-2009 Recognition and Service Award 2003-2009
David Jayo from REI is a Leave No Trace Board Member and is the current Treasurer. David has been a dedicated, important contributor to the Leave No Trace Board for six consecutive years. He has contributed his expertise as chair of the Marketplace Committee, has served on the International Committee, Nominations Committee, most recently on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer. David has also been instrumental to Leave No Trace’s shaping of cultural inclusiveness and youth-based programs through his guidance with PEAK — Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids — and the Connect Grants program.
Garry Oye & Wade Vagias, The National Park Service — 2009 Recognition and Service Award
Garry Oye and Wade Vagias of the National Park Service are recognized for their diligent work in securing both the funding and rights to reproduce the National Park Service Leave No Trace video, a very useful and highly sought after teaching resource. These dedicated National Park Service representatives and Leave No Trace advocates are helping the Center meet the current and growing demand for Leave No Trace video information.
Jamie Schwartz, The USDA Forest Service— 2009 Recognition and Service Award
Jamie Schwartz from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is recognized for his long-term support of Leave No Trace and service in helping spread the program within his agency. Most recently, Jamie helped secure a cost-share grant to create and develop an online learning program available through the Leave No Trace website. The grant also provides funding for the development of an eastern area skills and ethics booklet focusing on horse-use. Jamie has been a steady and solid supporter of Leave No Trace for many years and his service to the mission and organization is commendable.
Emily Ressler and JD Tanner — 2009 Recognition and Service Award
Emily Ressler and JD Tanner have served as the Subaru / Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers for three years. Originally from Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri, the team has trained thousands of people in Leave No Trace and has shared the program with hundreds of thousands more across the nation. As the senior traveling team, Emily and JD have been influential in educational program development as well as the refinement of Leave No Trace outreach programs.
Subaru of America— 2009 Partnership Award
Since the inception of the Subaru / Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer program over a decade ago, Subaru of America has been an extraordinary Patron Corporate Partner in the Leave No Trace community. Their outstanding support of education in motion has allowed tremendous success for all traveling educator teams, including the recent celebratory 10th Anniversary year of the Traveling Trainer program. Additionally, Subaru of America has been instrumental in the development of other programs within the Center, including the Individual Membership program through the generous addition of the Subaru VIP Partners Program to membership benefits.
Smartwool — 2009 Partnership Award
Now in their ninth year of partnership, Smartwool continues to go above and beyond the standard commitment of Corporate Partnership to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Their initiative to conduct additional fundraisers, provide generous in-kind support for membership incentives, and most importantly, their outfitting support of the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program, has been instrumental in raising awareness, membership funding and success of the Center as a whole.
Zero One Vintners — 2009 New Partner Award
In their first year of partnership, Zero One Vintners has excelled in creative implementation of the Leave No Trace relationship through the sale of their wine. Specifically, the Wild Sky Cabernet is named after Washington state’s newest wilderness area – with a portion of proceeds from each bottle being donated to Leave No Trace and the conservation of these natural lands.
Lifeline — 2009 New Partner Award
Lifeline’s commitment to the Leave No Trace program during their inaugural year as a Corporate Partner has extended in to a unique and meaningful relationship as Outfitter of the e-tour program. Lifeline is the first Corporate Partner to outfit the etour team in the history of the program, and their additional in-kind support and enthusiasm for reaching frontcountry communities through education was an asset to the program’s success this summer.
Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment — 2009 Community Programs Award
Alaska’s Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE) is a grassroots organization dedicated to teaching science and environmental education. WISE works in partnership with Copper River Native Association to provide environmental science programs that integrate cultural values and skills. WISE was a 2009 Connect Grant recipient for their work in organizing a Youth Environmental Summit with the Native Village of Gakona. During the summit, youth learned about sustainable living practices and the principles of Leave No Trace. WISE represents an excellent community-based program through its partnerships with local land management agencies, cultural organizations and conservation programs.
Autry National Center — 2009 Partnership Award
Located in Los Angeles, CA, the Autry National Center hosted the Leave No
Trace e-tour this summer at their exhibit "Granite Frontiers: a Century of
Yosemite Climbing."Highlighting the importance of responsible rock
climbing, the e-tour held a successful Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop for visitors to the museum, including youth and their families, regional leaders from the Boy Scouts of America and local climbing enthusiasts.
City of Phoenix — 2009 Partnership Award
This year, the City of Phoenix embarked on a unique and ambitious partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, including a two-day intensive Leave No Trace course for park rangers by Kate Bullock and Tracy Howard, one of the Subaru / Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer teams as well as a broad Leave No Trace outreach campaign for the greater Phoenix outdoor recreating public. Bullock and Howard spent six days working with City of Phoenix rangers and employees on Leave No Trace programming to emphasize Leave No Trace’s principles for planning and safety, trail use and fire prevention awareness.
Coconino National Forest and Puente de Hozho School — 2009 Community Programs Award
Coconino National Forest and Puente de Hozho, a trilingual immersion school in Arizona, were 2009 Connect Grant recipients. Their collaboration in organizing a Leave No Trace Day at the school is an excellent example of a community partnership. Leave No Trace principles were taught by Forest Service Employees, who used activities from the Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids (PEAK) program. Children received instruction in the three languages: English, Spanish and Dine (Navajo). The school and the Forest Service intend to collaborate further as students will be designing multilingual Leave No Trace signs for the national forest.
Liz Williams — 2009 Volunteer of the Year
Liz Williams, an active Master Educator in northern California, has been a tremendous Leave No Trace champion for almost a decade. Working tirelessly as the California State Advocate, Liz has trained thousands of people in Leave No Trace, educated youth of all ages and worked with recreational communities all over California. As a professional staffer for the Girl Scouts, Liz has consistently promoted Leave No Trace through her organization and has made it standard operating procedure for Girl Scouts in both California and across the U.S. Liz has assisted with numerous Master Educator Courses in California as well as lead dozens of Leave No Trace Trainer Course over the years. Her collective efforts to promote Leave No Trace have been a primary reason for the success of the program in California.
Kerry Fisher — 2009 Activist of the Year
Kerry Fisher, a former veterinarian turned Leave No Trace activist, left her Washington home this spring on her bike with her Labrador Retriever, Mr. Mitchell, in tow with two objectives: to see the country and to share Leave No Trace with others along the way. Kerry and Mr. Mitchell traversed America’s Northern Tier and taught Leave No Trace whenever they could – at libraries, campgrounds, schools and State Parks. Mr. Mitchell has been an integral part of their grassroots outreach, even learning how to practice the Seven Principles, like Dispose of Waste Properly, by picking up trash whenever they stop.
Eric Hiser — 2009 Advocacy Award
Eric Hiser, an Arizona-based attorney specializing in environmental law, serves as the volunteer Chair of the Boy Scouts of America Leave No Trace Task Force. This national-level task force is the group that oversees the BSA’s Leave No Trace Master Educator and Trainer Course efforts. The Task Force is made up of individuals from all across the U.S. and ensures quality control, consistency and compliance with all Leave No Trace training guidelines for BSA Leave No Trace Courses. Under Eric’s leadership for the past 4 years, the Task Force has effectively managed BSA’s Leave No Trace training efforts. As both a BSA volunteer and a Leave No Trace volunteer, Eric greatly enhanced Leave No Trace outreach within the BSA.
Michelle Broyer — 2009 Advocacy Award
Michelle Broyer, who manages the Swan Falls Campground and Education Facility has been a hard working leader for the Saco River Clean Up Project in Freyburg, Maine. She has organized two clean-ups this year with youth and other volunteers in the community, and she hosted an event for the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers in July.Michelle developed Leave No Trace signs and talked to visitors about how to minimized their impacts on the river.
Rita Hussman — 2009 Recognition Award
Rita Hussman is a Minnesota Master Naturalist and advisor to the Service Adventure Leadership Team (SALT) with Edina Public Schools.Rita has done substantial work providing Leave No Trace education and outreach in Cuyuna County, Minnesota.She helped organize community events with the Leave No Trace etour this past summer.Youth from the SALT program created a Leave No Trace Traveling Trunk, which they presented at the National Service Learning Conference. Rita has also worked to organize a froncountry Master Educator Course in Minnesota through NOLS, and is working to embed Leave No Trace into a for-credit course at Hamline University. Rita is an enthusiastic advocate of Leave No Trace and an excellent volunteer.
Dave Derlacki- — 2009 Recognition Award
A Leave No Trace Master Educator in Corvallis Oregon, most of Dave Derlacki’s Leave No Trace activity is centered around the Boy Scouts of America. Dave runs Trainer courses and workshops for the Oregon Trail Council. He teaches Leave No Trace to youth in "scout skills" sessions and offers to come to any troop's campsite and discuss Leave No Trace with the troop. Typically these sessions involve an overview of the principles and a discussion centered on "what can you do here this week at camp to minimize your impact? Dave has been a Master Educator since 1999 and has been an individual member since 2001.
Norm Petersen — 2009 Recognition Award
Norm Petersen has been a Leave No Trace Master Educator and Individual Member since 2007. In 2009, Norm put together a Leave No Trace maze for the Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree, a large Boy Scouts of America event with over 10,500 attendees.Over 1800 kids successfully completed the maze. In addition, Norm helped the Center organize an e-tour workshop for cub scouts at the Cabela’s in Milwaukee. Norm annual runs a Leave No Trace Trainer Course in May and is working on becoming a Master Educator instructor for the Boy Scouts of America.
Griff Danheim — 2009 Outstanding State Advocate Award
Griff Danheim has been the Texas State Advocate since February of 2006, an individual member since 2004 and became a Master Educator this year. He teaches Leave No Trace as a volunteer/member of the Lone Star Hiking Club, the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the American Hiking Society. With over 25 years of outdoor experience, Griff brings a wealth of knowledge to the program, and has done a great job of using a wide variety of opportunities to get Leave No Trace information out in Texas. Whether it is speaking to a group of Texas State Parks and Wildlife employees or with a local outfitter, Griff has reached far and wide to meet the demand from the diverse group of outdoor users in Texas during his time as a State Advocate.
Jennifer Hazelrigs — 2009 Outstanding State Advocate Award
Jennifer Hazelrigs is the Director of Outdoor Education and Recreation at the University of Arkansas, and Leave No Trace’s Arkansas State Advocate. Jennifer became the State Advocate, as well as an individual member and Master Educator, in 2008. She has implemented Leave No Trace into the outdoor program by conducting Trainer Courses for all of the trip leaders, who then teach participants on their courses at the University. She has also organized public Leave No Trace workshops in Fayetteville, as well as worked with our Traveling Trainer teams. Jennifer looks forward to continuing to educate people about Leave No Trace when in Arkansas.
Janet Herrick — 2009 Outstanding State Advocate Award
Janet Herrick has been passionately teaching Leave No Trace ethics as the Florida State Advocate since July 2008. She, however, has been involved with Leave No Trace since 2005, as both a Master Educator and an individual member. She leads Leave No Trace workshops for the Florida Trail Association, the Florida State Park system, as well as for local Boy and Girl Scout troops. Janet has traveled around the state educating people of all ages about the Leave No Trace principles. As the State Advocate she has been working hard to connect with all the Master Educators of Florida in order to form a strong Leave No Trace community.
A fortuitous encounter with “Mr. Bigfoot” motivatied us to practice Leave No Trace sasquatch-style in 2009.
How? The furry guy has asked us to challenge this community to live up to his standards as an environmental activist. By showing your support for Leave No Trace you have the chance to show Bigfoot you’re up to the test. He’s been doing it for years, and so can you!
Per Bigfoot’s request, we are offering a creative way for you to support Leave No Trace before the close of 2009. By donating $15 you will receive some gifts to help warm up the holidays: a limited-edition Bigfoot pint glass (for your favorite holiday beverage) and a warm, cozy hat!
By donating to the cause, you are joining a nationwide conservation movement to help minimize recreation impacts on the outdoors. Show your support and let Bigfoot know you are up to the challenge!
(Hats generously donated through the Gear to Grow program.)
I’m trying to figure out the best way to dispose of human waste on the lands I manage. Do you know of any good resources, research, methods or strategies that could be implemented in my area? I’d like a comprehensive overview of the best practices being used nationwide (and around the world) but I’m not sure that exist.
Any ideas?
Signed,
District Ranger
*******
Dear District Ranger,
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for answering your questions around the subject of human waste disposal in the outdoors, you shouldn’t miss the upcoming conference, “Exit Strategies – Managing Human Waste in the Wild.”
Presented by The American Alpine Club at the American Mountaineering Center Golden, Colorado July 30-31 and August 1, 2010 - this conference is being sponsored in part by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
We invite top land managers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and wilderness participants from around the globe to discuss and formulate strategies for managing human waste in remote areas. The Exit Strategies conference will include general/plenary sessions, poster presentations, field-proven techniques and opportunities for focused problem solving. To create a productive setting in which participants can spark important conversations, explore innovative ideas, and develop effective solutions, the conference will be limited to 100 attendees.
Interested?Here’s some more information to help you get there:
Registration limited to first 90 to sign up. Fee $150 for both days and evening include:
Two lunches and one dinner
Flash Drive of visual documentation of all presentations, papers and addresses of all participants.
Special student fee of $25 for the first ten to sign up, support provided by "Leave No Trace"
Vendor fee $300, limited to 12 vendors
August 1st (8:00-4:00 PM Optional field trip hike to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park Service will discuss their human waste pack out system for Lumpy Ridge and the Solar Drying toilet at Gem Lake. Moderate hike at 2.2 miles each way. Bus capacity of 50 will depart from the American Mountaineering Center. Register separately for this hike, cost: $35 including lunch.
Conference Benefits:
Knowledge: Share global expertise and assemble a working online database of the best practices for managing human waste in remote and alpine environments.
Case Studies: Publicize various case-studies that illustrate the complexities of, and potential solutions for, managing human waste in wilderness settings.
Connection: To provide links across the globe between the various entities critical to human waste management in wilderness settings.
Action: Generate actionable ideas and practical toolkits for managing human waste that can be disseminated to the broader public.
What people are saying:
"Human waste and how we deal with it in the outdoors is a significant issue and perhaps one of the most significant issues we grapple with at Leave No Trace. Improper disposal of human waste can drastically impact water sources, it can spread disease and it can be a substantial aesthetic and social impact. With more and more people enjoying the outdoors, whether they're on a day hike, an overnight camping trip or a month long expedition, we have to collectively work together to find realistic, effective and palatable solutions to this growing problem. This conference is a major step in the right direction towards solving the human waste dilemma." Ben Lawhon, Education Director, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Boulder, CO.
"As the world seems to be getting smaller,with more and more people setting out to explore remote natural areas, it is timely that we are bringing managers together to share common experiences & solutions for dealing with increasing challenge of ......'what do you do with the human waste?' As the leader for Wilderness Stewardship in the US National Parks, I look forward to creating a new standard for our visitors. No longer will it be the sole responsibility of the land managers to solve the human waste problem. Today's solution will be a combination of new technology, visitor responsibility, and manager's assistance." Garry Oye, Chief of Wilderness Stewardship, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
"Bringing together experts from around the world to this conference will not only benefit the National Parks but will be a benefit to many agencies. Again, our program applauds and supports your efforts in putting this conference together." CAPT John Leffel, REHS, MPH, Public Health Consultant, US Public Health Service
It's cold and snowy in Boulder, CO at the Leave No Trace office, so the Leave No Trace Winter Principles seem especially fitting. The principles apply to any human-powered winter sports: skiing, snowshoeing, winter camping, etc.
LEAVE NO TRACE FOR WINTER
Plan Ahead and Prepare
-Know the area and what to expect; ALWAYS check avalanche and weather reports prior to departure.Consult maps and local authorities about high danger areas, safety information, and regulations for the area you plan to visit.
-Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
-Monitor snow conditions frequently.Carry and use an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel.Educate yourself by taking a winter backcountry travel course.
-Visit the backcountry in small groups, but never alone.Leave your itinerary with family or friends.
-Repackage food into reusable containers.
-Use a map and compass to eliminate the need for tree markings, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Safe, Durable Surfaces
On the trail
-Stay on deep snow cover whenever possible; in muddy spring conditions, stay on snow or walk in the middle of the trail to avoid creating new trails and damaging trailside plants.
-Travel and camp away from avalanche paths, cornices, steep slopes and unstable snow.
Atcamp
-Choose a site on durable surfaces- snow, rock or mineral soil- not tundra or other fragile vegetation.
-Camp at a safe, stable site out of view of heavily-traveled routes and trails.
-Keep pollutants out of water sources by camping at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from recognizable lakes and streams- consult your map.
Dispose of Waste Properly
-Pack It In, Pack It Out.Pack out everything you bring with you.Burying trash and litter in the snow or ground is unacceptable.
-Pick up all food scraps, wax shavings and pieces of litter.Pack out all trash: yours and others.
-Pack out solid human waste.In lieu of packing it out, cover and disguise human waste deep in snow away from travel routes and at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water sources.
-Use toilet paper or wipes sparingly.Pack them out.
-If necessary, use small amounts of biodegradable soaps for dishes.Strain dishwater into a sump hole.
-Inspect your campsite for trash and evidence of your stay.Dismantle all snow shelters, igloos or wind breaks.Naturalize the area before you leave.
Leave What You Find
-Leave all plants, rocks, animals and historical or cultural artifacts as you find them.
-Avoid introducing or transporting non-native or invasive species.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
-Campfires cause lasting impacts in the backcountry.Always carry a lightweight camp stove for cooking.
-Use dead downed wood if you can find it.Put out all fires completely.Widely scatter cool ashes.
-Do not cut or break limbs off live, dead or downed trees.
Respect Wildlife
-Winter is an especially vulnerable time for animals.Observe wildlife from a distance.Do not follow or approach them.
-Never feed wildlife or leave food behind to be eaten.
-Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
-Be respectful of other users.Share the trail and be courteous.
-Yield to other users.Prepare for blind corners.
-When stopped, move off the trail.
-Separate ski and snowshoe tracks where possible.Avoid hiking on ski or snowshoe tracks.
-Learn and follow local regulations regarding pets.Control dogs.Pack out or bury all dog feces.
For more information contact Leave No Trace at 1-800-332-4100 or visit http://www.LNT.org.
Kurt posted one in the Center's newest Public Service Announcements yesterday. If you are a current partner (a corporate, nonprofit, retail, federal agency, outfitter or guide service, school partner) and have a newsletter, publication or website where you would like to post the print or web banner version of the Leave No Trace PSA, contact us for a copy.
Pictured above are two web banners from the series.
This year for the holidays, I am working with my family to figure out a way to make gift giving more rewarding, less excessive and more environmental. For gifts this year, we are instituting a recycled, handmade or “experience” type of gift policy. You can find your gifts from used stores, make your gifts, or give the gift of experience (hopefully the outdoor variety). Or you can go for the gift that keeps on giving – one that helps create important and lasting change in our society – the gift of membership. Giving the gift of membership in a cause that’s important to you, wherever your passion lies, is a win-win for both the giver and receiver. More than ever, non-profits need support and buying memberships is a way to demonstrate that you care about a cause enough to pass your passion along to another. So, if Leave No Trace is on your list, and you wouldn’t be reading this blog is it weren’t, get your individual memberships now before they sell out (just kidding). Visit us at https://store.lnt.org/support to learn more and make a difference this season. Happy Holidays!
Presented by The American Alpine Club at the American Mountaineering Center Golden, Colorado July 30-31 and August 1, 2010 - this conference is being sponsored in part by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
We invite top land managers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and wilderness participants from around the globe to discuss and formulate strategies for managing human waste in remote areas. The Exit Strategies conference will include general/plenary sessions, poster presentations, field-proven techniques and opportunities for focused problem solving. To create a productive setting in which participants can spark important conversations, explore innovative ideas, and develop effective solutions, the conference will be limited to 100 attendee.
Registration limited to first 90 to sign up. Fee $150 for both days and evening include: Two lunches and one dinner
Flash Drive of visual documentation of all presentations, papers and addresses of all participants.
Special student fee of $25 for the first ten to sign up, support provided by "Leave No Trace"
Vendor fee $300, limited to 12 vendors
August 1st (8:00-4:00 PM Optional field trip hike to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park Service will discuss their human waste pack out system for Lumpy Ridge and the Solar Drying toilet at Gem Lake. Moderate hike at 2.2 miles each way. Bus capacity of 50 will depart from the American Mountaineering Center. Register separately for this hike, cost: $35 including lunch.
Conference Benefits
Knowledge: Share global expertise and assemble a working online database of the best practices for managing human waste in remote and alpine environments.
Case Studies: Publicize various case-studies that illustrate the complexities of, and potential solutions for, managing human waste in wilderness settings.
Connection: To provide links across the globe between the various entities critical to human waste management in wilderness settings.
Action: Generate actionable ideas and practical toolkits for managing human waste that can be disseminated to the broader public.
"Human waste and how we deal with it in the outdoors is a significant issue and perhaps one of the most significant issues we grapple with at Leave No Trace. Improper disposal of human waste can drastically impact water sources, it can spread disease and it can be a substantial aesthetic and social impact. With more and more people enjoying the outdoors, whether they're on a day hike, an overnight camping trip or a month long expedition, we have to collectively work together to find realistic, effective and palatable solutions to this growing problem. This conference is a major step in the right direction towards solving the human waste dilemma." Ben Lawhon, Education Director, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Boulder, CO.
"As the world seems to be getting smaller,with more and more people setting out to explore remote natural areas, it is timely that we are bringing managers together to share common experiences & solutions for dealing with increasing challenge of ......'what do you do with the human waste?' As the leader for Wilderness Stewardship in the US National Parks, I look forward to creating a new standard for our visitors. No longer will it be the sole responsibility of the land managers to solve the human waste problem. Today's solution will be a combination of new technology, visitor responsibility, and manager's assistance." Garry Oye, Chief of Wilderness Stewardship, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
"Bringing together experts from around the world to this conference will not only benefit the National Parks but will be a benefit to many agencies. Again, our program applauds and supports your efforts in putting this conference together." CAPT John Leffel, REHS, MPH, Public Health Consultant, US Public Health Service
There are a number of reasons why it is important to travel on durable surfaces and stick to the trail, in areas where there is an established trail. You want to travel on the trail even when you come to a puddle in the middle of the trail. Here are some of these reasons why Leave No Trace recommends this practice: (from www.lnt.org)
*Concentrating travel on trails reduces the likelihood that multiple routes will develop and scar the landscape.
*It is better to have one well-designed route than many poorly chosen paths.
*Trail use is recommended whenever possible. Encourage travelers to stay within the width of the trail and not short cut trail switchbacks (trail zigzags that climb hill sides).
*In winter conditions, stay on deep snow cover whenever possible; in muddy spring conditions, stay on snow or walk in the middle of the trail to avoid creating new trails and damaging trailside plants.
*If you are in desert environments, however, avoid traveling through puddles, as water is such a finite resource in these areas!
So, as you get outdoors this winter, remember to travel and camp on durable surfaces!
As we get ready to welcome in the new year, we also would like to welcome in the newest Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer team, Jason and Agata Ketterick! We had the opportunity to meet them in MA for lunch and chat about life on the road. Starting off as Team West, the two are eager to hit the road and begin their adventure. We look forward to meeting up with them again in Boulder, CO at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics as we prepare for the 2010 season. We wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. See you all in 2010!
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