Open Places are Great Spaces

Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The e-tour has made it to the Dakotas! Over the past 48 hours, we have traveled from Nebraska to South Dakota to the northern reaches of North Dakota, arriving in Minot today for a couple days of training. It's been a perfect way to experience National Parks Week, as we have been lucky enough to stop in two different National Parks in the Dakotas -- Wind Cave and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks. These treasures of the prairies, Black Hills, and badlands highlight both unique geology and incredible wildlife. One of the coolest aspects of the parks are the herds of wild bison or American Buffalo. Drawing on the legacy of President Teddy Roosevelt to protect the bison by reintroducing them to the prairies above Wind Cave in 1913 from the New York Zoological Society, these parks provide sanctuary to some of the most magnificent creatures on Earth.

Buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We want to challenge you to think about the importance of wide open spaces like these. Often people look to preserve landscapes, but sometimes protecting wildlife can be even more crucial. When you think about the Leave No Trace Principle "Respect Wildlife," try and imagine it as an overall goal. More than just not feeding wildlife and avoiding encroachment upon their space, this principle also encompasses preserving their habitat for them when you go into the outdoors. Think about dead trees that are still standing, or snags, which can be used as homes for animals when collecting firewood. Think about campsite selection near water sources that can affect wildlife drinking behavior for days. Think about the role old animal bones or antlers play in wildlife nutrition as sources of calcium or vitamins and why that's an important reason to Leave What You Find. In the Dakotas, the majesty of the bison drive home the importance of Respecting Wildlife, but every time you go outside to explore you are visiting animals' habitats. So think about that next time you're on a hike, bike, drive, or paddle!

On a Buffalo,

Quinn & Frank

A Snowy Saddle Day!

Riding a bike through Grand Teton National Park!

“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.” - Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire 

From October through the end of April, the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park is closed to non-motorized vehicles. During most of that time, it's groomed for Nordic skiing as snow covers the entire area. In the spring, though, bicyclists get to rule the road. In the quiet and uncrowded park, you have to leave your car at the gate and power your own recreation down the road to catch spectacular views of some of the most remarkable mountains in the world. The Leave No Trace e-tour stopped by the park and enjoyed all it had to offer on wheels. It's also a great way to really connect with nature and Be Considerate to Other Visitors by helping let nature's sounds prevail. And when you visit in off-peak seasons, not only do you get to see parks from a unique perspective but it's a great way to help lessen your impact on crowding, wildlife, and the outdoors! So get on your bicycles and head outside!

Let Them Ride Bikes,

Quinn & Frank

Be Our Guest

Students sketching Lower Yosemite Falls

A Leave No Trace mindset tip from the e-tour:

Heading to a National Park, State Park, or National Forest? Don't just think of yourself as a visitor -- think of yourself as a host! Everyone who visits these incredible areas after you will enjoy your hospitality. 

Signage explaining the importance of ancestral artifacts

Think about the reasons why you like going to these places. Is it a memorable vista? A waterfall tucked into a canyon? Artifacts scattered near a trail? When you protect these items, and choose to Leave What You Find, you're setting out the red carpet for those who come after you. You're actively being the host, inviting friends, family, and friends you just haven't had the chance to make yet to experience your favorite spots. So behave appropriately, because that's what good hosts do!

Aptly placed sign at Yosemite National Park

Patrolling the Premises,

Quinn & Frank

Between a Rock and a Coffee Pot

Climbers in Joshua Tree

On Saturday mornings in one of the premier climbing spots in the country, Park Ranger and legendary character Bernadette hosts Climbers' Coffee at Joshua Tree National Park. The e-tour had the chance to stop by this event this week and chat with avid rock climbers who had flocked to this climbing mecca over warm cups of coffee and tea. A number of these individuals were familiar with Leave No Trace, but had not yet heard about the bounty of resources available from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics regarding rock climbing. Everyone was stoked to get their hands on the brand new plastic reference card for rock climbing from the Center as well as to flip through skills and ethics books on both rock climbing and desert and canyon ecosystems. Bernadette and her fellow rangers at Joshua Tree have also just come out with a climbing guide to the park that not only highlights good climbing routes but also focuses on techniques to minimize impacts while at and around crags. We were ecstatic to flip through the guide and see information on preventing impacts around the base of climbing routes, how to dispose of waste, and features about preserving heritage sites near climbs. A huge thanks and props to Bernadette and her crew for getting out such great information!

Twentynine Palm Salute, 

Quinn & Frank

Sly as a Fox

Channel Islands National Park

As the e-tour continues to head west, we leave the "sky islands" of Southern Arizona for the Channel Islands off the coast of California. This epic series of islands, designated a National Park in 1980, hosts a variety of endemic and fascinating species. As volcanic islands isolated from the mainland, these ecosystems have evolved in such a fashion where unique plants and animals can thrive without heavy competition. One example is the island fox, a distinct fox species that only grows to 12 to 15 inches in height. Although no larger than a house cat, the island fox is the largest mammal in the island chain. Without any predators on the island, this fox has ended up quite curious.

The endemic island fox

The fox box!

Because the island fox is such a curious fellow, these animals have learned to find the campgrounds and picnic areas on the islands. Learning from experience by finding food left unattended by visitors, many of the foxes have become habituated and often directly approach humans on the islands seeking food. Some really clever foxes have even learned to nudge open tent zippers in search of food! The National Park is making a strong effort to help island foxes and visitors alike. The picnic areas and campgrounds on the islands do not have any trash cans, meaning that backcountry users and frontcountry day-visitors alike must pack out what they pack in. All the picnic tables and campsites are also equipped with food lockers to store any and all temptations through the foxes. By practicing Leave No Trace techniques regarding food repackaging, storage, and disposal, visitors to these islands can help protect one of the incredible animal species that make them such a special place!

Like a Fox on the Run,

Quinn & Frank

Hello from the 2012 e-tour Team!

At Great Sand Dunes National Park on our drive out of Colorado!

Hello Leave No Trace fans! Welcome to the first post from your 2012 e-tour Traveling Trainers, still with that new car smell in the Subaru! We wanted to go ahead and introduce ourselves before we all go on the ride together around the country, talking to youth about safely and responsibly enjoying the outdoors. Our names are Quinn and Frank, and we are joining Leave No Trace from the Nation's Capitol, Washington, DC, and are now excited to be on the road talking to young people around the country about getting outdoors and practicing Leave No Trace!

One awesome event that we've already been a part of was going to the Community Prep School in Colorado Springs with Kate and Tracy from Team East to meet with a couple of classes. We played How Long Does it Last?, a super-informative and interactive PEAK game, with the students to illustrate what happens when different types of trash are not disposed of properly. Leaving trash outdoors can lead to serious impacts, so the game drives home that you should always be sure to Trash Your Trash! The high school students really got into it, and everyone both learned a lot and had a ton of fun!

After two weeks of training at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, we're now out on our own! We hope to see you out on the road and talking to everyone on these here interwebs!


For those who put the map in the packsack and go,

Quinn & Frank

New National Park in Maine?

Maine is already home to one of the first national parks on the East Coast, Acadia National Park, but for the last 15 years plans have been in the works to establish another national park (bigger than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined) in the undeveloped northern region of the state. The group RESTORE, along with individuals such as photographer Tom Szelog have long supported the creation of such a national park.

Others, however, are less thrilled at the prospect of the increase of visitation that would occur with the creation of a national park. Some residents and landowners in the area propose conservation easements as a better solution to preserve Maine's northern woods in their current state of wilderness.

What do you think?

Poaching in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Such senseless acts are often hard to comprehend. From the Charlotte Observer:

A Granville County man is suspected of illegally shooting a bull elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - the first case of elk poaching in the massive park, officials said Monday.

Rangers found the dead elk on Friday. He was one of the largest and most majestic breeding bulls in the herd that was reintroduced to the park's Cataloochee Valley several years ago, park officials said.

Read the full story here.