Bigfoot Sightings in Seattle

Greetings from Seattle!

Both the Outreach and Education Departments are up in the Evergreen State this week taking part in Seattle Backyard Sessions. The Sessions are aimed at increasing networking and volunteer opportunities amongst Leave No Trace community members, as well as highlighting our important work with Mt. Rainier National Park as part of the Hot Spot program.

Here's a glimpse of the event last night - as expected, Bigfoot made an appearance.

For more information, be sure to read the upcoming eNews which will highlight our partner organizations, as well as our work with Mt. Rainier.

If you are in the Seattle area today, come check out the second session at the REI store in downtown Seattle. The event starts at 6:00 PM. See you then!

Sarah

Respect Wildlife: Food storage and easy steps for hanging a bear bag

As we are in the midst of camping and hiking season, it’s important to remember how we can minimize our impact on the wildlife that we encounter in the outdoors—particularly in regards to food and trash. At parks and natural areas where there are facilities, it’s as simple as throwing away our trash and taking home what we brought with us.

When camping in more remote areas, we have to use a different set of skills to ensure that our food and trash are stored properly. Human food and trash can cause many problems for wildlife, particularly bears. When wildlife obtains, become accustomed to, and seeks out human foods and trash it can quickly lose its natural instincts, such as foraging or hunting.

Also, you will have a much more enjoyable and safe trip if your food and trash is kept out of reach of animals!

One method for properly storing food, trash and other smelly items is called a bear bag hang. Here are simple steps to successfully completing a single tree hang.

1. First make sure you have equipment you can use, which includes: durable Bags—nylon stuff sacks work well; 50 ft of rope; carabiners—this will help you clip your bags together and on to the rope.
2. Gather all of your smellable items to store in the bags. This includes food, trash, dirty dishes and cookware, deodorant, toothpaste and bug repellant.
3. Choose a tree that is 200+ ft. away from the cooking and sleeping areas of your campsite. Ideally, the cooking, sleeping and bear bag areas will form a triangle with 200ft. along each side (show picture on white board).
4. Choose a tree with a sturdy branch at least 12 ft. off the ground, and a minimum of 6 ft. from the trunk of the tree or nearest branch.
5. Attach a rock to one end of the rope and throw over the 12ft. branch, making sure it is 6 ft or more from the trunk. (This may take a few tries. Remember, safety is important, so make sure to clear the area of people when throwing the rock).
6. A variety of knots can be used at the end of the rope to attach the bag(s). Then clip the bags together and to the knot using your carabineers. Hoist the bags into the air—again, 12 ft. up and 6 ft. out. You may need a friend or two to help with this part.
7. Tie the free end of the rope to the tree, making sure it is secure and will not become undone overnight.

Remember, this bear bag hang is just one way you can properly store your food, trash and other smelly items during an overnight camping trip in the backcountry. By following these simple steps and using a few materials from your backpack, you can do your part to help Respect Wildlife.

Around the World

Many people know about Leave No Trace from seeing signage or information at a park/natural area in their region. We come in contact with a number of people that are surprised to find out we are a nonprofit organization with not just a national reach, but an international one.

Check out these beautiful photos from Kakani Scout Camp in Nepal:

This Leave No Trace training was organized with the help of Initiative Outdoor. As, owner Chandra Ale describes:

Initiative Outdoor (I.O.) is an outdoor leadership school based in Kathmandu, Nepal. I.O. runs a variety of courses, including adventure camps for kids, wilderness first aid, whitewater rescue technician training, and leadership programs at local schools. The range of the course offerings results in a diverse clientele: I.O. students are river guides, kayakers, mountain guides, Nepali school children, international students, and employees of both local businesses and INGOs.

I.O. was able to incorporate Leave No Trace education into all of their training this year, including this camp near Shivapuri National Park. The Center is grateful for the work of all of our volunteers, partners, members and supporters in helping communicate the importance and universality of these principles in every corner of the world.

Dog Days of Winter

With winter weather affecting much of the US this past week, hope you are finding some time to enjoy the snow as much as these guys:

Aside from braving the chill, going out for a winter walk, sled or ski can be very peaceful, relaxing and fun. Remember to extend the same set of practices as you would on a summer outing - be it picking up after your pet, planning ahead for extreme weather or sticking to designated trails/areas.

If winter is prime season for your outdoor programming, consider incorporating a short talk/discussion on Leave No Trace for the winter. Grant season is upon us as well, check out this program page on our website for updated deadlines, beginning as early as March 1. Grants can be used to purchase educational/teaching resources for Leave No Trace programming: Grants and Scholarships

Stay warm and safe and thank you for practicing responsible recreation!

Looking out my back door

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! Probably like me, many of your are taking this time to relax, reorganize and reinvigorate.

I've been going through my photos from the last twelve months and there were a lot of great trips and memories! However, this photo was, by far, one of my favorites - my backyard in the summer time.

Rarely does Denver look this green but we were pretty fortunate to have a wet late Spring, which means tree plantings and thriving vegetable gardens.

Here's to your favorite green space, be it your backyard, or the backcountry. Thanks for helping support Leave No Trace in 2010 - see you next year!

Sarah

Student help hikers "Know Before They Go"

Students from Glen Cove Elementary in Roanoke, VA adopted their local Appalachian Trail Kiosk and gave it some much needed attention.

Check out the photos:

Before

After

Thanks to these students local hikers can learn how to take care of our shared public lands by leaving no trace. Glen Cove Elementary was a Leave No Trace grant recipient and also worked with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's "A Trail to Every Classroom" program.

Our 2010 grant recipients have done some amazing work in their local communities and we'd like to thank them for all of their volunteer work! Check back in January for 2011 grant deadlines.

Master Educator Course Fun!

Thought I would share some photos from a recent Master Educator Course, courtesy of our South Carolina State Advocate, Stephen Wilson.

Cue the pomp and circumstance, here's a group shot of the most recent Master Educator Course graduates from our partner, Landmark Learning:

As part of the five-day curriculum, students are given a small service project, usually involving outreach at a local trailhead, park or school - a great way to move along the continuum from students to teachers! Here they are interacting with students from Western Carolina University:

Having a demonstration or activity that draws people in is a great way to start a conversation. Here's an example of the "Camp Oh No" or "Leave No Trace Crime Scene" set-up:

Finally, what significant life experience is not commemorated by a tattoo? Check out our new temporary tattoos via our online store:

If this looks like fun, check out our Master Educator Course page. Schedules for 2011 will be posted by early January!

College Students: Help us with outreach!

Many of you have read the recent posts about Leave No Trace programs in the Red River Gorge.

As part of the Hot Spot program, the Center is also working with the Forest Service to improve outreach to college/university students visiting this region.

If you are a college/university student that recreates in this area - Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, etc. - please take five minutes to complete this survey:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/334068/red-river-gorge-university-outreach

With your help, we can keep the Red River Gorgeous!

Living Archaeology Weekend - Red River Gorge

If you are in the Kentucky area next weekeed, come support the first Leave No Trace Hot Spot: the Red River Gorge!

Living Archaeology weekend will take place September 24-24 at the Gladie Center in the Red River Gorge:

Have you ever wondered what life was like in Kentucky a thousand years ago? Then join us at Red River Gorge, and watch the prehistoric past come alive as Native Americans and other craftsmen demonstrate the way ancient cultures went about the daily business of living.

The weekend’s events will be held on an open terrace near Gladie Creek, similar to sites inhabited by Kentucky’s first people. This enjoyable program of outdoor activities is designed to promote an understanding of the technologies that Native Americans used in the area, and the appreciation and protection of Kentucky's fragile archaeological sites.

Note: Friday’s programs are for school groups by prior arrangement; contact Jessica Santangelo at the Gladie Center, 606-663-8100. Saturday’s programs are for the general public.

Hope to see you there!

Last Grant Deadline - October 1

The Center has had a successful year working with a diverse range of organizations through our four grant-giving programs:

Packing with PEAK

Tools for Teaching

Connect Grants for Culturally Diverse Communities

Master Educator Scholarships*

October 1 marks the final grant deadline for the year for most of these programs, with the exception of Master Educator Scholarships. These grants are a great opportunity to offset educational/training costs of fall programs.

For more information on how to apply, visit: http://lnt.org/programs/grantproposal.php

Please email grants@LNT.org with any questions!

Community Partnerships in Action

Just finished a great morning training with crew members from Groundwork Denver & Big City Mountaineers. The crew is headed up into Rocky Mountain National Park to camp and complete trail and conservation projects for the next three weeks.

Groundwork Denver (GWD) is a unique organization, whose mission is to bring about the sustained improvement of the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action.

"We have found that the interest in urban environmental improvements - ranging from tree planting, to toxic cleanup, to energy efficiency improvements, to transit-oriented design – cuts across income, ethnic, and language barriers." - GWD website

Similar to GWD, Big City Mountaineers works with urban communities, "offering transformative outdoor experiences to enrich lives, broaden horizons and instill critical life skills."

The Center's work with these organizations is critical in providing outreach and education to a broad cross-section of communities participating in a range of outdoor activities. What great projects are going on in your community?

Don't forget the next Connect Grant deadline is August 1. Nominate an organization in your community or apply on behalf of a group you work/volunteer with. Help incorporate Leave No Trace education into all outdoor experiences!

The 1st Online Auction benefiting Leave No Trace is Officially Open!

On behalf of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, we are excited to launch the inaugural year of our 1st Annual Online Auction! This unique event will bring members of the Leave No Trace community from around the globe together for the first time, to share in their support and advocacy for the Center’s mission.

Take a Good Look. Bids are now being accepted on exciting items from many of our Corporate Partners, Board of Directors, members and other partners. Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something of interest in our auction catalog.

Make Your Bid. Even if you've never taken part in an online auction before, it's fast and easy to bid on one or more items in our auction catalog. Step by step instructions will walk you through the bidding process so you can participate with confidence. And remember, every bid helps support our cause!

Tell Your Friends. The success of this online event depends on getting the word out to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please share (see sharing options below to share this post, or feel free to send a direct link to the auction) all of the auction news with your friends and encourage them to participate so they don't miss a single moment of the fun and excitement.

These items are open for bidding, and we will continue to add new items throughout the next two weeks. You have until Tuesday, July 6^th at noon to place you maximum bid.

What are you waiting for? Bid now!

View Auction Catalog

Service and Leave No Trace Outreach in Northeast Georgia

One of favorite parts of working at Leave No Trace is receiving follow-up stories and photos from our grant recipients. They all have a unique story to tell and the photographs are a visual reminder of how many different ways to Leave No Trace program is used across the country.

Here are some photos from a recent Tools for Teaching grant recipient in northeast Georgia conducting a trail rehabilitation project on over 13 miles of the Chattachoochee National Forest. They also hosted a Leave No Trace awareness program.

This project was a great example of various youth and adult community groups working together. Close to 700 people participated, representing: Boy Scouts of America - Northeast Georgia Council, Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association, Southern Off Road Biking Association and Georgia Appalachian Trail Association.

We love to see photos of your community programs in action! Grant recipients, Master Educators, Trainers, PEAK presentations--many of the Bigfoot Challenges incorporate photo or video elements. Thanks for taking the time to tell us your story. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Leave No Trace Traveling e-tour Team Job Opening!

APPLICANTS WANTED!

LEAVE NO TRACE JOB OPENING

Are you interested in one of the premier outdoor jobs in the industry? Do you have a passion for teaching and working with youth? Are you looking to work with a friend or a significant other? If you answered yes to these questions then we have the job for you! The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is seeking a dedicated, savvy, dynamic team of educators (only teams of two are accepted as applicants) for a seasonal traveling position.

The Leave No Trace e-tour team, sponsored by the Coleman Company, brings hands-on Leave No Trace demonstrations, interactive activities and general Leave No Trace education to schools, camps and youth-serving organizations from July through October. The team also travels to select retailers specializing in Coleman outdoor products in order to promote Leave No Trace information to kids and families. The e-tour provides basic Leave No Trace education programs that inspire youth to get outside while promoting responsible enjoyment of the outdoors.

The e-tour 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.

More Information ( + )

Enhancing the lives of Urban Teens - Click here!

Supporting community programs continues to get easier with technology. The Pepsi Refresh Project gives away millions in grants each month to great "ideas" or community projects that support different sectors: arts and culture, health, education, food and shelter, neighborhoods and, of course, the environment.

With the click of a button, daily, you can support these great ideas. The top 10 receive a grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project each month. New applications are also accepted monthly.

One of Leave No Trace's community partners, Big City Mountaineers, is currently in the running. Big City Mountaineer's mission is "enhancing the lives of urban teens through wilderness adventures." BCM is a Connect Grant recipient and has done great work in combining Leave No Trace education with wilderness outings. They are in the running for $25K and voting for this round ends on February 28th.

In a year where it's a bit harder to give monetarily, take a minute to

support this community program, or one closer to home, by voting.

Have a great day!

Are you interested in volunteering for Leave No Trace in 2010?

If you are interested in staffing a Leave No Trace booth, conducting an Awareness Workshop or a Trainer Course in your community, please contact Outreach Manager Dave Winter to discuss outreach possibilities in more detail.

Are you already hosting a Leave No Trace training, workshop or other event in your community? Submit this form to Sarah Folzenlogen to have your event posted on our Community Pages. Please email Sarah Folzenlogen with any questions about posting your events on our website.

Kids in the Valley, Adventuring!

As parents and educators, Chip and Ashley Donahue recognize the need for more opportunities that get families outdoors and encourage them to become environmental stewards of the next generation.

Through their free family nature club, Kids in the Valley, Adventuring (KIVA), the Donahues are bringing outdoor opportunities to over 350 families in the Roanoke Valley.

Activities include park visits, guest speakers and family-friendly events that incorporate games, music and art. Keeping with the trends of social media marketing, KIVA's website also features product and gear reviews, nature-themed book reading list, event listings and tips for starting your own community nature club.

As a recent Leave No Trace grant recipient, KIVA also recognizes the importance of partnering outdoor adventure activities with environmental stewardship information and discussions that leave our open spaces better than we found them.

2010 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Season is getting set to Kick Off!

On Monday we began our annual Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Training for our 2010 teams. We are lucky to have Kate Bullock and Tracy Howard returning for their third season on the road, starting their year as our Team East. Check out their schedule so far.

We are also very excited to have a new pair, Jason and Agata Ketterick, joining us for our 12th year of the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program as Team West. You can take a look to see if they will be coming to your area in the coming months by clicking here.

Both teams will be attending the Outdoor Retailer trade show next week in Salt Lake City, and then will be back here for another week and a half of training before they hit the road for the season in early February. If you are interested in hosting the Traveling Trainers this year, please request a visit online.

Kate and Tracy, are excited for you to meet Bigfoot!

Jason and Agata on top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine last June.

Connect Grants Awarded to Community Programs

The Center recently awarded its last round of 2009 Connect Grants for Culturally Diverse Communities.

These grants partner the Leave No Trace program with organizations serving diverse communities to promote responsible recreation and environmental stewardship.

Students from the Wilderness Leadership and Learning (WILL) program in D.C. - previous Connect Grant recipient - on an expedition along the Appalachian Trail.

Connect Grants this round were awarded to:

• Campfire USA - Heartland Council, KS
• Sierra Nevada Journeys, CA
• Prairie View A&M University, TX
• Student Conservation Association - Community Crew Program, FL
• Valley View Elementary School, AZ

Connect Grants award educational materials, training and scholarships that support Leave No Trace community programs and strive to create long-term partnerships with recipients.

Know of an organization that you'd like to nominate for a Connect Grant in 2010? Have some tips on how to make the Leave No Trace program most relevant to your own community?

Email Sarah in the Education Department: sarah@LNT.org

No Impact Man

This past weekend I had a chance to see a very unique and thoughtful film called No Impact Man. The 90 min documentary was part of the Adventure Film Festival in Boulder, of which Leave No Trace was the nonprofit partner.

The film followed a Manhattan family (dad, mom and baby daughter) as they attempt to live an entire year in NYC - creating no environmental impact. The real irony became evident in the first few minutes, when the family admitted that they are both addicted to retail and reality t.v. Not only was their New Year's resolution going to be challenging, it was going to give their lifestyle a complete 180.

From cutting out all new purchases, to buying only farmer's market food, turning off the electricity and attempting to create a refrigeration system out of terracotta pots, sand and water (really fascinating!), the family's efforts were really commendable.

It was interesting to me to watch the family struggle with some of the same issues that we as an organization do. For instance, they received a lot of criticism along the lines of "How can you really create no impact? That is impossible, it's too extreme, and it gives the environmental movement a bad name."

The point, though, was that as the family conducted this environmental audit on themselves, they realized how interconnected everything was (trying to cut out one thing led to another and another), which made them more aware, and more "global" citizens. Most importantly, they learned that altering their lifestyle, even just a little bit, could create measurable change.

Leave No Trace is the outdoor recreation version of No Impact Man and his family. A specific program, it as part of a much larger environmental education landscape that promotes awareness, social responsibility and activism.

If you haven't had a chance to view this film, I highly recommend it! I look forward to hearing your comments.