A Little Giving Magic...

Working for Leave No Trace has innumerable benefits, and for a non-profit, I must admit that our workplace environment is really second to none.

However, as I am in a development position, I will gripe about one thing: We do not have a matching gifts program. (Which is understandable.) What I wouldn’t give for a magic wand that allowed me to enlarge my own donations, and those that all of you so generously give. With one flick of my wand, and maybe a twirl for stylistic flair, I could double the funds coming in to Leave No Trace!

Maybe I have a Fairy Godmother then, because starting October 3rd, donations will be matched 50 cents on the dollar when made online through a program called GivingFirst!

What is GivingFirst, you may wonder? It is a new, online tool geared at enriching donors’ understanding & knowledge about philanthropic organizations, and allows them to donate directly online. Donations are not only matched, but GivingFirst’s easy and secure donation process has NO credit card fees.

Not Prince Charming, but this is a close second.

Since this is such a unique opportunity, we have decided to extend this program to Leave No Trace Memberships. Simply by noting “for my membership” in the notes field when donating, your donation can be matched and count toward your annual membership!

This means that when I renew at $100 this year, my donation will really be worth $150.

However, as with all fairy tales, this one will come to an end! Matching funds for non-profit organizations featured on GivingFirst are limited to $50,000, with the maximum allotment for each organization at $5,000.

Help us reach this goal! Logon to GivingFirst on October 3rd and renew your membership, join for the first time, or just support Leave No Trace. You can make this donation right from the comfort of your own home – no glass slippers or ball gown required…

…Unless that’s what you wear at home.

Intern Appreciation Day

Leave No Trace is often blessed with talented individuals who graciously volunteer their skills and time to the Center. Take, for example, one Alicia Brossart. A native of the 'Roughrider State' (who knew that was North Dakota's nickname?), Alicia is currently a senior at University of North Dakota studying Marketing and Non-Profit Management. She's become a bit of an all-star around here, assisting in nearly every sector of Leave No Trace since June.

As a 'midterm' thank you for all of Alicia's hard work, we celebrated 'Intern Appreciation Day.' The whole staff headed Boulder Rock Club, a Leave No Trace Outfitter/Guide Parther, for a little indoor climbing.

From left: Sara Close (Membership & Development Manager, Sarah Folzenlogan (Education Programs Coordinator), Alicia Brossart (Intern Extraordinare) and Susy Alkaitis (Deputy Director).

It was a great afternoon (I even managed to schlep myself up a couple of routes - as a non-climber with a significant fear of heights, I'd call this a major success) and a fantastic way to show Alicia some props. So, thank you, Alicia, for your tireless efforts at the Center!

Just Say Yes

Smashing sandstone rocks into bits is a very gratifying thing to do, according my son, Oz. Poking at a giant ant hill with a stick, investigating a dead crab on the beach by ripping it to shreds, and damming up a trickling vein of a river are also at the top of his list.

My family spends virtually every summer weekend camping. We are usually with other families, and by profession, I am often looked on as the moral authority on outdoor etiquette for five-year-old boys. With adults, Leave No Trace comes easily. Balancing the unique joy and outdoor discovery of little kids, on the other hand, requires unusual creativity. It seems as though it would be easy enough to stifle any kid’s desire to be outside by laying a heavy handed list of rules on him. On the other hand, kids, like adults, like to be in the know.

Just this year, I see my son beginning to subtly change his relationship with the natural world. In turn, I have become more comfortable saying yes to many of his methods of discovery. Then, on the back-end, I search for opportunities for him to learn more about his environment. I am well aware that that this is not yet perfection, but it's a start, especially for a young child.

For kids his age, I say: Build the dam, then dismantle it when you are done with your fun to help the flow of the river. Or the approach: Even though those things you are squeezing looks like blobs, they’re sea anemones, meat eating animals, just like tigers are. What do you think the squeezing does to them?

I saw the beginnings of a sense of compassion and respect as he was catching grasshoppers at our campsite in Wyoming a few weeks ago. He and his friend, on their own accord, instituted a groundbreaking grasshopper catch-and-release policy. Though a bit remote and merely a metaphor for bigger things, I was thrilled.

I had less success in the Utah desert over the weekend. As I stood watching his incredible satisfaction cracking and pulverizing rocks into sand, I began formulating my speech, “Blah, blah…respecting the natural environment in its pristine state…blah, blah…” I realized he probably didn’t know what the word “pristine” meant. Also, these were recycled sentiments from my morning monologue about the humble temple that is the ant hill. The connection little boys have with smashing rocks can seem almost metaphysical in the moment. I’ll have to give this one some thought and try again next summer.

Carpe Diem

I definitely do not have a case of the Mondays today. I could not have asked for a better way to start my week. It all began hearing raindrops outside my window, which is my favorite way to wake up. I look outside to a perfect view of the foothills, and find them covered with pockets of clouds. It reminded me a lot of British Columbia and the picture perfect day from last spring where my best friend (the one I mentioned in my last blog) and I went for a hike in the mountains. It was another day of mine where the Latin aphorism Carpe Diem came to mind.

My next serving of luck came my way when I went to pay rent this morning. I negotiated to lower it! It may have only been $50, but every little bit helps a college student...maybe I can wheel and deal with the landlord again next month.

So far this morning I've been on a roll. Here comes my third helping...After arriving to the office I am immediately reminded by Catherine, our Membership and Partnership Coordinator, that tomorrow is our "Intern Appreciation Day." Does this exist? If I was smart I wouldn't second guess it to anyone, so I won't. We are all going climbing at the Boulder Rock Club! Talk about a sweet organization and staff to work for. This sure beats my friend's internships consisting of data entry.

The icing to this cake was definitely applied when I walked with Sarah, our Education Programs Coordinator, to the Post Office and received a care package from my Mom. How I love care packages. I bet you're all wondering what was inside...well hesitate no longer. After finding a few of the essentials, there they were, Mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Now this may not seem like a action packed day, full of outdoor adventure and leaving no trace, but these chain of events definitely allowed me to savor the moment and "seize the day"!

Looking for State Advocates

Have you recently found yourself on a hike, bike ride or camping trip wondering off into deep thought about getting more involved in the Leave No Trace Program? Are you a leader who is looking for more ways to give back to your community? Are you visiting this blog right now because you are curious how you can do more? If you answered yes to any of these questions then now is your chance. We are looking for volunteer State Advocates in Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, Kentucky, New Hampsire, Maine, and Virginia. If you live in one of these states and would like to learn more about the State Advocate Program, contact me at dave@LNT.org

Turning one

We recently celebrated my son's first birthday on a 3-day river trip on the Colorado River. The 27 mile float from Loma, CO to Westwater, UT is perfect for kids and great for parents alike. Having only been camping once prior to this trip, we weren't sure how the little man would do. However, water, sun, mud, sand and other kids proved to be the perfect recipe for a first birthday. I had never before been on a river trip with kids, especially seven of them with none over the age of six. While I initially worried about how we'd Leave No Trace with such a large group and so many kids, I quickly learned that kids simply "get it" when it comes the idea of Leave No Trace. It became immediately clear that the parents (none of whom I'd been rafting with before) were all on the same page with regards to enjoying the river responsibly.

The collective reasoning was that it was simply "the right thing to do". The idea of Leave No Trace is something that is best instilled early in life to ensure that it's just part of all outdoor experiences.  I realize that it will be some time before my son really starts to understand why we go the extra mile to minimize our impacts on the landscape but it's never too early to lead by example. 

Empowerment

In this very complicated world, filled with many "causes," it can be at times discouraging to realize that we are a small piece of a much larger puzzle. As a non-profit, and a small one at that, Leave No Trace has a very unique and specialized mission. At times it might be criticized for not embracing a much global "cause," but the people who do align themselves with the Leave No Trace message, care a lot about what they do.

I believe one of the most fulfilling things in life is to find something that you genuinely care a lot about. People find that in different things, and in different ways. Margaret Meade's quote about the power of one has been used as a means of empowerment many times, so instead I chose to insert a quote from Dr. Suess for all of those individuals who "care a whole awful lot" about what they do. As our lovely intern, Alicia Brossart, commented this morning, "Keep on Keepin on!"

"But now, says the Once-ler,
Now that you're here,
the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear.
UNLESS someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not."

"SO...
Catch! calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
It's a Truffula Seed.
It's the last one of all!
You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back."

Dr. Suess, The Lorax 1971

Nobody is Perfect

Recently, I took my little dog Ernie on a hike to a local hot spot, Mt Sanitas. A popular hiking area in the foothills of Boulder, Sanitas is also a dog haven. Ernie is a spunky, extremely energetic, social dog who loves his hikes. He’s pretty well behaved but certainly far from perfect. Which brings me to the point of this entry, nobody is perfect when it comes to Leave No Trace, not my dog and not even the land manager (or volunteer) at the base of Sanitas that we encountered. This particular guy had a table set up at the trail head, was talking to hikers and passing out general trail information to anyone interested.

My less than perfect dog went scrambling up to him, jumped up, and refused to abide to my repeated calls, blatantly demonstrating his less than perfectness. Then Ernie went on to sniff fervently at the ground behind the table that the guy was sitting at. I finally caught up to the little bugger and asked, “what could possibly be holding my dogs undivided attention?”. The guy explained that he had just poured the excess liquid from his tuna can on the ground and that was probably the attraction. Ahhhh, I said and leashed my little monster and went on my way with a smile.

I thought to myself as we finished our hike, if my little dog is eagerly ingesting the tuna dirt, how would wildlife react to the scent? Did the guy do the right thing by dumping his tuna can leftovers on the trail? Perhaps not but the point is, when it comes to Leave No Trace, no one is perfect. I get that and I’m not being critical. It’s not a perfect world and that is not what Leave No Trace is all about. I’ve had my share of moments when less than perfect practices were used for whatever reason. It’s an ongoing learning process and the point is to do our best and try to make the best decisions we can every time we’re in the out of doors. I know Ernie tries…

Green Hippie? Crazy Environmentalist?

These are a few names that have crossed my path recently, but not by choice. Being called those names didn’t bother me so much, but maybe it didn’t need to be taken to the extreme of labeling me a “Hippie” or “Crazy.” I shave my armpits, wear heels, and we feel we’re a very well balanced person in a good place…Just kidding only “I” am balanced. However, those names were used in a context that bothered me. Where do I start…

To make a long story short, about one month ago my best friend called me to tell me her box spring flew out of her truck and onto the interstate while moving back to school. (Fortunately no one was behind them.) The box spring ended up breaking as a result and my friend took it upon herself to drag it into the ditch and promptly leave it. I was blown away! How could someone be so lazy! She immediately got defensive and that’s when the names were thrown out. She countered, “unlike green hippies I chose safety over the environment.” I was also told to “go green, ya crazy environmentalist!” The conversation had ended at this point.

Now, she may have not been recreating outdoors but the ethic of leaving no trace still should resonate to some extent in our everyday lives (just as Sarah had stated in her last blog about the concert festival.) Not only did my friend not plan ahead (and properly attach the box spring to the truck), but left the box spring for others to admire, and eventually deal with.

So here is my question, how do you promote the idea of Leave No Trace and general environmental responsibilities to your friends without being considered too pushy or in this case…a crazy hippie?

Sing On

Two days ago, reflections were made on an ancient Chinese proverb. Upon reading this posting, I was reminded of recent experience with another well known saying, “Preaching to the Choir.”

This familiar adage was thrown out to a crowd of 150 individuals last night at a local public lands clean up. The diverse group gathered at Flagstaff Mountain in the late afternoon for a mass clean-up effort of the trails & climbing areas. It was after the work was complete that the organizer pulled all of the volunteers together to talk about the importance of what we had just done.

How lucky are we, he asserted, to have areas such as this to openly & freely recreate in every day. However, he furthered, just because these high-volume recreation areas are in our backyard does not mean that we have free rein to treat them however we want. As climbers, hikers, picnickers, or bikers, our debris is not immune to being labeled “TRASH” just because we are comfortable with that area. In short, these outdoor locations are not a local recreation center or gym – there is no caretaker who will come to clean up after us at “closing time.”

We all agreed, and noting the sea of nodding heads, and said, “I know I’m preaching to the choir on this one.”

Is there any better place to start? Yes, you and I both know the importance of taking care of our natural lands when we play outside. All of the individuals present at this event knew that, too. When you take a step back, though, that is 150 committed volunteers who can walk the talk and make a greater difference when they act together.

The Leave No Trace community – all 25,000 of its volunteers, members, educators & partners – are a choir of sorts, manifesting a belief in responsible recreation through memberships, financial support & volunteer activity. With each additional individual, Leave No Trace is stronger; it’s message & the collective difference we can make as supporters grows. It does not matter if we speak to someone who already knows how to “Pack It Out” or not… Simply by talking, sharing and acting, we cultivate the strength & affirmation that we all need to grow.

Connect Grants for Culturally-Diverse Communities

- Director of Wellness at a North Mississippi Medical Center who is active in her local school system.

- 24 charter school students in inner-city LA participating in an experiential environmental studies program.

- Wilderness Therapy Instructor working along the Appalachian Trail with dependent adolescents.

- Professor at Old Dominion University studying the relationship environmental stewardship and resiliency in urban youth in Norfolk, VA.

What do these individuals have in common?

They are all recipients of the Center's newest grant program, called the Connect Grants.  In our continued effort to reach new audiences, Leave No Trace is seeking to engage urban-centered outdoors education in the Leave No Trace program.

Do you or someone you know work with culturally-diverse communities?  Apply for the Connect Grant today!

Law of the Fish

Like me, you have probably come into contact with a dozen variations of the Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

Most recently, I read this proverb in a New York Times article about philanthropy. In the article, an example was given with regards to eradicating poverty — taking care of the poor does not eliminate poverty and arguments can be made that it may perpetuate poverty. Using resources to find solutions to poverty, such as education, will have a much more lasting and desirable outcome. Regardless of how you feel about poverty argument, it does illustrate an important point about the role of education.

Does the same hold true for Leave No Trace education in the outdoors? Every year, well intentioned people and organizations put great effort and big dollars into environmental restoration and clean up projects on public lands all over the country. Could widespread, front-end Leave No Trace education prevent or, at least, greatly reduce the need for such projects? As organizations, volunteers and corporations commit resources for clean ups and restoration, aside from restricting access to land for recreation, what will prevent human-created land degradation from occurring again?

If that Chinese proverb rings true, should Leave No Trace education be a vital component of any restoration project, any clean-up effort, any long-term land management plan?

Hello State Parks!

As I sit on the plane returning from lovely and historic Williamsburg, VA and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) conference, I’ve had an abundance of time to reflect on my experience mixing and mingling with State Park Directors for the past three days (due to several hours sitting on the tarmac in Chicago).

Leave No Trace and the NASPD have signed a new partnership agreement that identifies ways in which we can work together to bring the Leave No Trace message to millions of state park visitors across the nation. We signed this agreement at the conference this morning where I had the opportunity to speak in front of all of the attending State Park Directors (and other attendees which included many National Park Service folks).

The message that I stressed at the conference was that State Parks can and should play a significant role in bringing this critical program to new and diverse audiences. The time is right for this partnership. We have a tremendous opportunity before us and by working together, we can have a great impact on how people recreate on state park lands.

We have a number of state parks successfully using the Leave No Trace program in various ways including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado and others. Our goal is to build on these programs and continue to create tailored messaging and outreach that meets the needs to each and every State Park across the nation. Stay tuned for more updates regarding this new and exciting partnership!

Meet Emily...

Status: Leaves very little trace

Recent trip: Camping at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Favorite outfit during trip: Tutu with optional sun hat

Favorite way to see the dunes: Running, running, running.....

Any Trace?: only very small footprints and many many smiles

Road Trippin'

Recently, I traveled to the great state of New Mexico to walk the streets of Santa Fe. After getting my fill of art galleries, eateries, and shopping I decided to take a hike on the nearby trails to stretch my legs and have the opportunity to look out over the city. It was a beautiful hike along the Dorothy Stewart trail. While hiking, the beauty of the desert and all of its wonders came back to me. I was reminded of how important it is to stick to trails not only in the backcountry, but in the frontcountry as well.  Walking, running, or biking on designated trails protects trailside plants, flowers, and trees. This simple principle preserves the future of these trail systems for many generations to come. 

Everyday Leave No Trace

Thousands, if not millions, of people flocked to the outdoors this Labor Day weekend, marking another summer's end drawing near. I found myself with a co-worker at the JazzAspen festival in Snowmass, Colorado, enjoying good music and mountain air.

It was clear that the organizers were conscious of the festival's environmental footprint. Not only were trash receptacles abundant and well-marked, but so were recycling bins. Several of the festival sponsors were outdoor/environmental organizations.

According to the festival's website, 70% of concert-goers consider outdoor activities extremely important to their lifestyles.

Still, as the weekend drew to a close, and I surveyed the thousands of pieces of trash covering the concert grounds, I got to thinking about how far the principles behind "outdoor ethics" extends to other parts of our lives.

Many people wouldn't dream of throwing trash out intfehe woods while on a hiking or camping trip, but in settings such as concert grounds, or sports arenas, we sometimes have a mentality that someone else will clean up our mess. One of the common themes behind all of the Leave No Trace principles is thinking about our actions from a more universal or collective perspective. Maybe one person picking a single flower does not result in a large environmental impact, but what if everyone had that perspective?

As outdoor enthusiasts/recreationalists, we have taken responsibility for our actions and mastered the art of causing a minimal impact while enjoying the outdoors, while also trying to preserve the quality of others' experiences. How can we apply these same ideas to other aspects of our lives?