Partner Support at Outdoor Retailer

Salt Lake City, UT.  Last week Team East and Team West teamed up in Salt Lake City to take part in the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market at the Salt Palace Convention Center.   This bi-annual show gathers the top companies and organizations in the outdoor industry to showcase the latest gear, trends, and innovations for the outdoor enthusiast.  Every year the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics hosts the Great Gear Giveaway, sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Subaru of America, which is inevitably a highlight of the week!  This year did not disappoint as 18 lucky people walked away with a sweet prize package of the hottest gear on the market.  Thank you to all of those companies that donated to the Great Gear Giveaway, and a special thank you to Backpacker Magazine and Subaru for sponsoring the event!

In addition to the Great Gear Giveaway, a few other partners of Leave No Trace stepped it up to host a fundraiser happy hour during the show.  On Friday night, Big Agnes hosted a happy hour, which not only raised money for the Center but also sent one lucky winner home with a brand new Wolf Mountain Tent!

On Saturday, we joined Osprey Packs for another happy hour fundraising party.  Osprey Packs has been a long standing partner of Leave No Trace.  It is because of partners, like Osprey, that help make Leave No Trace a successful organization.  Pictured below are former Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers JD Tanner and Emily Ressler.  They bought their raffle tickets to support Leave No Trace and walked away with the grand prize!

THANK YOU to Osprey Packs and Big Agnes for their support at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market!

  

Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

The Situation: Responses to December Situation.

Every month in the Center's eNews, we pose a difficult Leave No Trace ethical and skills based situations for readers to comment on. Below is December's situation and a few of your responses.

What would you do?
As you approach your favorite wildlife viewing spot along a pristine alpine lake, a group of four has decided to set up camp right along the lakeshore. You know that camping 200 feet from water will protect the water source from becoming polluted. In addition, you fear the group's camping choice will impact wildlife in their natural habitat. How would you encourage these campers to select an alternative camping spot?

This is what you said:

Response from Keith Abraham: I would approach them and ask about the beautiful view and location they have chosen and ask about the wildlife in the area. Whether or not they want to see some of the wildlife will determine where you go from there. If they want to see wildlife but haven't, you may share the fact that the animals usually come to the lake to drink but they may be scared because people are so close. You may want to suggest that moving several hundred feet back from the lake is a good idea to allow the wildlife to come down and drink, you may even offer to help them move.


Response from Mark Katich: I would tell them that the following story.

“How the Fly Saved the River: A Native American Lore”
Many, many years ago when the world was new, there was a beautiful river. Fish in great numbers lived in this river, and its water was so pure and sweet that all the animals came there to drink. A giant moose heard about the river and he too came there to drink. But he was so big, and he drank so much, that soon the water began to sink lower and lower.The beavers were worried. The water around their lodges was disappearing. Soon their homes would be destroyed. The muskrats were worried, too. What would they do if the water vanished? How could they live? The fish were very worried. The other animals could live on land if the water dried up, but they couldn't. All the animals tried to think of a way to drive the moose from the river, but he was so big that they were too afraid to try. Even the bear was afraid of him. At last the fly said he would try to drive the moose away. All the animals laughed and jeered. How could a tiny fly frighten a giant moose? The fly said nothing, but that day, as soon as the moose appeared, he went into action. He landed on the moose's foreleg and bit sharply. The moose stamped his foot harder, and each time he stamped, the ground sank and the water rushed in to fill it up. Then the fly jumped about all over the moose, biting and biting and biting until the moose was in a frenzy. He dashed madly about the banks of the river, shaking his head, stamping his feet, snorting and blowing, but he couldn't get rid of that pesky fly. At last the moose fled from the river, and didn't come back. The fly was very proud of his achievement, and boasted to the other animals, "Even the small can fight the strong if they use their brains to think."

I would then say, you are the moose and I am the fly.

Response from the Subaru/ Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers Kate Bullock and Tracy Howard who posed this Situation: When approaching people that are exhibiting "less than Leave No Trace" behaviors, try using the Authority of the Resource Technique, developed by Dr. George N. Wallace. Using this technique, will not only give you a chance to speak for nature, but it will also allow you to educate others on the importance of practicing low-impact camping.

The technique involves three steps:

1. First, after opening conversation with the group, make an objective statement about the observed behavior (avoid value-laden terms such as "you shouldn't, don't, don't you know it's wrong, harmful, against regulations, etc.).
2. Second, explain the implications of the behavior. This is where you can EDUCATE the party about why it is important to protect the water source.
3. Finally, try to provide an alternative on what can (or should) be done to improve the situation. It is important to keep in mind that people are generally not trying to cause unnecessary impacts to the land and it is good to expect the best of people when we can.

Remember education can influence people's behavior. The hope is for long-term change in people's respect for nature in general and an intrinsically motivated stewardship of the out of doors!

Eleven People We Love

Meet extraordinary member-activists who have impacted their communities with Leave No Trace. The Center has so much love to spread around that we are honoring 11 people for their 2011 contributions!

Rob Stevens: Rob Stevens worked diligently to bring Leave No Trace awareness and education to Central Arkansas. On the Arkansas River Trail, a 24-mile trail system through Central Arkansas, he volunteered to support the Center’s development of a Leave No Trace program there. In October, Rob and the Traveling Trainers hosted a successful Backyard Session in downtown Little Rock that brought together people interested in strengthening Leave No Trace within their community. Because of Rob’s herculean efforts, Leave No Trace will be the Trail’s minimum-impact education program.

David Polivy: Avid outdoorsman and owner of Tahoe Mountain Sports, Dave Polivy collaborated with the Center to bring a stronger Leave No Trace presence to Lake Tahoe. Dave conducted an online fundraiser through Facebook for the Center and organized Leave No Trace at Snowfest, an annual festival to celebrate winter sports in the area. Working with the Center, David also put together a program for locals to learn more about Leave No Trace winter skills.

Steve Kominsky: Climber and member-activist, Steve Kominsky, incorporated Leave No Trace in his 2011 initiative, The 10in6 Challenge, where he climbed Oregon’s 10 highest mountains in 6 days. He engaged scouts, state parks staff and visitors, as well as others as he traveled through Oregon. Steve organized great press coverage for this event and raised important awareness in Oregon for Leave No Trace.

Rita Hussman: Minnesota State Advocate, Rita Hussman, has offered a constant stream of Leave No Trace training since taking on the volunteer position with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. She helped host the Center’s first Minnesota Backyard Session, and facilitated National Public Lands Day participation on behalf of Leave No Trace. She is consistently offering local outreach and truly advocates for Leave No Trace wherever she goes.

Jordan Mammal: U.S. Park Ranger Jordan Mammal led the Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park campaign to have the park’s Paradise Area designated as a 2011 Leave No Trace Hot Spot. Her vision and diligence to coordinate Leave No Trace work ensured that all National Park Service departments and volunteers shared her passion and support for the initiative, making it a great success.

Hamish Morin: Hamish Morin, chair of the Smartwool Advocacy Team, worked closely with the Center to increase awareness about Leave No Trace. Hamish organized community outreach within schools in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and led efforts to provide Leave No Trace volunteer opportunities to Smartwool employees.

Awanti Sura: Awanti Sura sought out the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and was a full-time volunteer and intern for six months at the Center’s Colorado hub. With a double Masters in Commerce specializing in Tourism Marketing and International Business, Awanti lent her skills to support constituent communication and education. She left the Center as a Master Educator.

Jeff Marion: Jeff Marion, recreation ecologists with the U.S. Geologic Survey and adjunct faculty at Virginia Tech, wrote a new Leave No Trace publication in 2011 addressing frontcountry environments. A long-standing member of the Center’s Educational Review Committee, Jeff’s volunteerism as well as his scientific research and publications have been important contributions to the organization.

Kelly Pearson: Ardent Leave No Trace supporter, Kelly Pearson, is wilderness tech and volunteer coordinator with the Shawnee National Forest. Kelly was instrumental in the 2011 frontcountry stock pilot Master Educator Course held on the forest. She managed logistics, camping, transportation and provided the key U.S.D.A. Forest Service support needed to make the new course offering a reality.

Paula Booth: Leave No Trace Trainer Paula Booth’s dedication and passion for educating both youth and adults in Leave No Trace has a 15-year history. Her work which began with Leave No Trace training for Cub Scouts and then in the Venturing program, evolved into work with day camps and community events. In 2011 Paula led eight field-based Leave No Trace Trainer Courses.

Reed Waite: Former head of the Washington Water Trails Association, member-activist Reed Waite has not only been a longtime supporter of the Center, but he has also provided important strategic guidance and offers Leave No Trace Trainer Courses in his community. Recently, Reed helped with the Center's Seattle-based Backyard Sessions to build support for the Mount Rainier Hot Spot initiative.

How Do You Practice Leave No Trace in Your Everyday Life?

Cascade Locks, OR. Andy, a Leave No Trace Trainer and enthusiast, shares how he practices Leave No Trace in his everyday life. Leave No Trace can be applied not only to any non-motorized recreational experience, but can also be beneficial in the context of everyday life, even when you are not outdoors! Andy has adopted the Leave No Trace lifestyle, have you?
Enjoy the long weekend!
Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Bigfoot Sighting at International Sportsmans Expo

Denver, CO.  The International Sportsmans Expo held at the Colorado Convention Center this past weekend brought in thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to check out the latest in fishing and hunting gear, guide and outfitter services, and had a chance to learn about responsible recreation in the Outdoor Ethics Center.  Over 2,700 people stayed on the trail to talk to representatives from Leave No Trace, Stay The Trail, Tread Lightly, and The Wildlife Experience.  With all this excitement, it was no surprise that Bigfoot came to Denver to share in the thrill.  Enjoy a few photos from this weekend!
Respect The Resource...Kate and Tracy

Leave No Trace Hot Spot Program

Many of the areas where we love to spend time outdoors are impacted by recreational use, some more severely than others. The cause of the impact is not generally malicious intent to do harm to the environment; rather it is most commonly a lack of knowledge or skills.



The end result, however, is usually the same:

Litter, dog poop, invasive species, habituated wildlife, trail and campsite erosion, water sources polluted with human wastes, names carved in trees, filthy campfire rings, cigarette butts along a trail, damaged cultural and historic sites, toilet paper “flowers” around campsites, pets chasing wildlife – the list goes on and on.

These impacted areas, or “Leave No Trace Hot Spots,“ can benefit from increased awareness about how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. If we know the consequences of our actions and the ways to minimize our individual and cumulative impacts, we can all go a long way towards protecting the places we cherish for future generations.



Building on the success of the 2011 Hot Spot program, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics actively seeks to make a difference across the country for these Leave No Trace Hot Spots. Through outreach, education, training, signage, educational materials, consulting and local collaboration, the Center aims to work with motivated individuals, groups, non-profits and governmental agencies to effectively use the Leave No Trace program to reduce impacts on lands used by the public for recreation.

The Center intends to do the following:

1. Accept nominations from individuals, groups, non-profits, partners, members and governmental agencies for areas – Leave No Trace Hot Spots – that have recreation-related impacts that could be successfully mitigated through effective Leave No Trace programming.
2. Nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis, with two Hot Spot being chosen per year, with additional "warm" spot designations possible.
3. For chosen Hot Spots, the Center will work with the nominator to determine the scope of the impact, the relevant partners for collaboration, and effective and creative solutions for reducing the impacts occurring in the area.
4. Chosen Hot Spots will receive some or all of the following: expert consultation on solutions and program implementation, training, educational materials, visits from the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, creation of locally-tailored programs to meet site-specific needs, volunteer support and overall assistance in putting the Leave No Trace program into action.

How to nominate an area as a Leave No Trace Hot Spot

The Center requires the following information on the nomination form:

• Name of the individual and/or organization

• List of impacts that are occurring as a result of recreation

• List of potential partners in the local area who would be well suited to collaboration on project efforts

• Intended outcomes of the project efforts

• Description of the potential reach of the project efforts and who will benefit

• Nominator(s) history with the Leave No Trace program

• Nominations MUST include either photographs or video of the area (both preferred). Nominations submitted without photos or video will not be accepted.

If your area is not chosen as a Leave No Trace Hot Spot, the Center can still provide information and ideas on mitigating recreational impact in your area.

The Center intends to measure success of efforts undertaken at chosen Leave No Trace Hot Spots using the following criteria:

• Measureable improvement in on-the-ground conditions
• Engaging a large number of volunteers to support efforts
• Enlisting new partners/members to get involved in the area
• Building sustainable relationships and programs that perpetuate effective Leave No Trace programming

For questions about the program or for more specific information, please contact hotspots@LNT.org, call 1.800.332.4100 or visit www.LNT.org

Catching Moments of Beauty

As 2012 gets itself underway, the sky this morning made a point of reminding me to stop and appreciate the BEAUTY that is around us everyday.

International Sportsmans Expo

Denver, CO.  The International Sportsmans Expo will take over the Colorado Convention Center this weekend beginning on Thursday at 12pm and concluding Sunday at 5pm.  With over 900 companies and organizations, there will be plenty of outdoor goods and services to check out. Here is a list of what you can expect to see at the show:

• Fishing & hunting outfitters & guides
• Fishing tackle & gear
• Hunting products & gear
• Fly-fishing retailers
• Travel, vacations, lodges & resorts
• Boats, kayaks & marine accessories
• RVs, campers
• Outdoor gear
• Apparel & optics
• ATVs, motorcycles & personal watercraft
• Mountain-home furnishings
• Outdoor clubs, groups & organizations
• Trucks, trailers & aftermarket accessories

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics will be teaming up with Tread Lightly!, Stay the Trail Colorado, and The Wildlife Experience to educate visitors about responsible use of lands shared by the public and ways to minimize potential impacts on the land when out hunting, fishing, boating, or camping.  Come check out the Outdoor Ethics Center for interactive activities, educational materials, and chat with knowledgable and friendly staff from all four of these organizations!  Hope to see you there! 
Respect Nature, Respect Others...Kate and Tracy