Out West with Team West

Saguaro!

What's the only thing better than one Traveling Trainer team? Two Traveling Trainer teams! This past week we met up with Mark & Tara from Team West for a few days and an event together in Tucson. With our powers combined, we capitalized on our time in the desert amid the beautiful cacti of the Southwest. One highlight of our collaborative adventures was a PEAK session at the Tucson REI where we met various community members including our Leave No Trace Arizona State Advocate Cindy! State Advocates serve a vital role in the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethic's volunteer corps and Cindy does a great job of outreach in Arizona. Whether it's getting out the word about training opportunities or connecting people with valuable Leave No Trace resources, State Advocates like Cindy make the Leave No Trace mission truly possible. Thanks Cindy!

The e-tour also had the opportunity to work with Cindy talking to Venture Scouts from the Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts while in town. These dedicated outdoorspeople pursue a variety of outdoor adventures ranging from backpacking to climbing to rafting, and it was great to have an evening program with them where we got in depth about Leave No Trace. At one point we even passed around a Go Anywhere Bag to challenge both the youth and adults to really think about Dispose of Waste Properly and whether or not to pack out human waste! It was awesome working with a group that cared so much about the desert ecosystem around them and the scarce water resources that they strove to protect!

Heading to the Ocean,

Quinn & Frank

Partnership Highlight: KEEN and Leave No Trace

KEEN’s Hybrid.Care steps into the International Community with Leave No Trace

For the sixth year, KEEN Footwear’s Hybrid.Care program has extended major support for Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics’ work to build community networks and state-by-state advocacy. KEEN signed on in 1995 to help build Leave No Trace’s State Advocate Program. Since, KEEN has not only supported the volunteer State Advocates but has played a primary role in Leave No Trace’s successful work to build communities of educators and activists around the country.

This year, KEEN not only extends support for community networks but is also helping Leave No Trace develop its first international pieces to support the Center’s growing need for global education. Thank you, KEEN.

About KEEN

KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid footwear, socks and bags, is an outdoor brand that delivers innovative hybrid products, enabling all outdoor enthusiasts to live an active lifestyle. Founded in 2003, KEEN strives to demonstrate integrity and leadership, especially on social and environmental commitments, while promoting an inclusive outdoors community. Through its giving program Hybrid.Care, the company provides support to a variety of social and environmental organizations around the globe. To learn more, visit www.keenfootwear.com.

National Get Outdoors Day - Get Involved!

With the beginning of Spring, many cities around the country have begun planning for the third annual National Get Outdoors Day event on June 12, 2010.

Denver has been a leader in hosting this event and drew thousands of children and families last year for a day full of fishing, hands-on activities, adventure sports and recreation in City Park.

It was piloted in over 100 cities in 2008, many of which have continued to participate and expand upon their local event. Most Get Outdoors Day events are actively seeking volunteers to help plan logistics, direct people on event day, set-up and and break down the event, staff booths and so on. To volunteer, check out the locations page on the National Get Outdoors Day website to find out the location nearest you.

The event has many local sponsors, but is nationally supported by the USDA Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition.

This year the Center will be participating in the the local Denver event and partnering with a previous Connect Grant recipient, Big City Mountaineers as well as working with the Colorado State Advocate for Leave No Trace.

The Traveling Trainer teams will also be participating in a National Get Outdoors Day event in Washington state.

Check out the interpretive trail activity that the e-tour did last summer. It's available for download on the PEAK page.

Kentucky State Parks Trainer Course

On Monday and Tuesday, we had the pleasure of working with Kentucky State Advocate, Lisa Deavers, on our second Trainer Course of 2010 at Barren River Lake State Resort Park. Lisa, along with eight other participants from Kentucky and Ohio, brought enthusiasm and passion to the course. We had many great discussions about the principles of Leave No Trace, including invasive species, disposal of human waste, and horse use on trails with multi-user groups. In addition, we spent a lot of time on teaching Leave No Trace to children with the PEAK program. It was fun to watch the entire group put on their 8 year old hats and act like a kid again, as we were reminded that we are all kids at heart! Thank you to all the participants for spending a chilly evening outdoors with us. Here is a photo of the newest Leave No Trace Trainers!

Happy Adventuring...Kate and Tracy

5 Rivers Metro Parks Adventure Summit

This past weekend we attended the fifth annual 5 Rivers Metro Parks Adventure Summit. The mission of the event is to celebrate the spirit of outdoor adventure by showcasing the vibrant lifestyle and culture of human powered endeavors through inspiration, education, and experience. Leave No Trace was a natural fit for this event. Thousands of people from the 5 Rivers area gathered at Wright State University to express their enthusiasm for outdoor recreation. The energy charged weekend was full of exhibitors, competitions, and motivational speakers.

While on the road, we take advantage of every opportunity to meet and thank key Leave No Trace volunteers. Indiana State Advocate Douglas Wagoner was in attendance promoting upcoming trainer courses that he is teaching through his organization Green Earth Outdoors. We would like to thank Douglas and all of the volunteers that donate their time to enhance the Leave No Trace program. The Summit has grown tremendously since 2006. The Dayton, Ohio area is emerging as the "Adventure Capital of the Midwest," so if you ever have the chance to pass through this part of the country, be sure to step outside and experience what the area has to offer!

Happy Adventuring...Kate and Tracy

Team East visits Edith Macy Conference Center

Last week we were invited to the Edith Macy Conference Center in New York to be a part of the Outdoor Skills Certification/Conference for the Girl Scouts of USA. Leaders from all over the country gathered to learn skills that will be essential tools to teach the girls in their councils. Our first mission was to be a support team on the Leave No Trace Trainer Course, held early in the week. 15 dynamic and passionate participants became Leave No Trace trainers. Every woman on the course provided thoughtful presentations and discussions to the training. They are all excited to learn ways to integrate Leave No Trace into their curriculum. A special thanks to Marj Eby, chair of the GSUSA/Leave No Trace Task Force, JoAnn Schiffer-Burdett, Bureau of Land Management/California State Ethics Coordinator, and Tina Smith, Girl Scout IOT, for running a great trainer course and making our stay so comfortable and welcoming.

In addition to the trainer course, we also joined Karen O'Brien, Leave No Trace State Advocate for Massachusetts, at a "meet and greet". This provided an opportunity for Karen to talk about the State Advocate position and ways people can get involved in the Leave No Trace community. Thanks Karen!

Finally, we joined Marj and Tina again for a 3 hr workshop with an additional 15 people at the conference. The workshop provided a great venue to share some of our PEAK Pack activities, talk about the Bigfoot Challenge, and share insight into how these leaders can get Leave No Trace more involved in their councils.

We had such a fun week working with these women. Their passion and commitment to building strong girls of the future is commendable. Keep up the good work ladies!

Safe travels...Kate and Tracy

Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Oneida, TN

Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Oneida, TN

When: October 16-18, 2009. The course will begin at Friday- 5:30pm-6:30pm for registration at the park office at Bandy Creek campground,

Where: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Directions to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, can be obtained thru the web, Google, NPS website or Yahoo.com, map quest or by calling the National Park at: (423-286-7275)

Description: The curriculum will focus on the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for teaching them. Participants are asked to come prepared to teach one of the principles or a skill or some other Leave No Trace specific topic approved by the instructor. We will be advising and critiquing each other in an effort to learn more about how to effectively communicate the skills and ethics of Leave no Trace. Please keep in mind that this is a backpacking trip, NOT a backpacking course.The emphasis of this course is Leave No Trace, not backcountry travel skills.

Who: Adults (18+) Girl and Boy Scout leaders, and anyone else needing experience to teach the Leave No Trace Principles to others, who have camping and/or backpacking experience. We will be hiking approximately 5-6 miles over the weekend, with setting up a campsite during Friday and Saturday evening.

Cost: Course cost $50.00 which includes course materials, 1 year individual membership to Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, your membership packet will be mailed to you upon course completion, door prizes, etc.

Equipment: You will be responsible for bringing all of your own equipment that you will need for overnight camping and hiking, including, backpack, tent, stove, sleeping bag, pad, water bottles, rain gear, hiking boots, garbage bags, toiletries and medications you need, etc. You will also need to bring your own bowl, cup and spoon. For more specific information on what to bring, please refer to the gear list which will be sent to you once you register for the course.

Contacts: For more detailed course information, or if you have any further questions or need specific information then contact Nick Myers, Tennessee State Advocate/MasterEducator. E-mail: nmyers@utk.edu or phone wk: (865)-974-5004 or hm: (865)-430-9122.

Trainer Course at Student Conservation Association HQ

For our most recent Trainer Course, we headed to Student Conservation Association (SCA) headquarters in Charlestown, NH. In addition to SCA crew leaders, we were joined by several representatives form the White Mountain National Forest and one lone Boy Scout leader. We had a great time, and were excited to meet up with New Hampshire State Advocate, Lew Shelley. Thanks for putting together a great Trainer Course Lew!


Here are a few of our favorite photos from the course!

Photo of the Week: 5/8/09

Leave No Trace volunteers (and previous Maine State Advocates and Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers) Marcia and Gabe Williamson provided a Leave No Trace information booth at the L.L.Bean Spring Sports Expo - April 17-20, 2009 Freeport, ME.

Thanks Marcia and Gabe for volunteering your time on behalf of Leave No Trace!

Seeking State Advocates: ND, CO & MS

The Leave No Trace State Advocate Program, sponsored by Keen Footwear, assists interested Leave No Trace educators and volunteers with their local effort to promote and teach minimum impact outdoor ethics. These active volunteers are a foundation of the Leave No Trace program as they coordinate outreach, education and training in their respective states.

The State Advocates support volunteers with Leave No Trace training, work with park managers to integrate their education and management plans, increase on-the-ground awareness and attend events to further the Leave No Trace program and mission. This year, the State Advocates have been instrumental in building communities of volunteers and educators, state-by-state.

We are currently seeking applications for the State Advocate position in the following states:

• North Dakota
• Colorado
• Mississippi

If you would like to be considered for the State Advocate position in your state, please contact Catherine or Dave.

Ohio Advocacy Forum

This last weekend we were in Delaware, OH spending some time with local Leave No Trace educators and neighboring State Advocates. Over 40 people showed up for a day-long workshop on Saturday along with Laurie Harmon (VA State Advocate), Kim Beach-Shaffer (WV State Advocate), Debbie Dodt (IL State Advocate), and Don Nash (OH State Advocate). The weekend was full of networking, guest speakers, and Leave No Trace activities. We just wanted to say thanks to all that took advantage of this opportunity. It was great to meet and work with you all.

Leave No Trace is Alive and Well in Alabama

By Skip Essman, Alabama State Advocate

I have had the position as State Advocate since 2002 when Ben Lawhon asked me to take it. Even though I was only a Trainer and at that time the requirement said you should be a Master Educator he said the Center thought I had what it took to hold the position, so I said OK and have never regretted my decision.

Since holding the position I have had many opportunities opened to me that I don’t think would have if I didn’t hold the position. If anyone ever asks you to hold the State Advocate position jump at it and you won’t regret it either.

We (myself and many of the Trainers and Master Educators) have been invited to Outdoor Expos, many training events for Scouting, meetings that the State of Alabama have and numerous events for hiking clubs and outdoor organizations.

Now here we are in January 2009 and the calendar is filling up quick. I will be attending a meeting held by Conservation Alabama Foundation where they plan on uniting all conservation minded groups and work together to the betterment of Alabama and Conservation.

Then in February I will be attending a meeting of all the Superintendents of the State Parks and will speak to them about their involvement with Leave No Trace as a Partner. I am really looking forward to that as I already know several of these leaders and supervisors.

We will again be hosting a Trainer Course in February at Camp Tukabatchee with several of the state trainers and Master Educators as instructors.

As was stated earlier, I was a Trainer when I first became State Advocate, but as of November 2008 I became a Master Educator. This was in part to the hard work of Charlie Thorpe and Ken Bauer both Master Educators here in Alabama. The course was held a weekend in October and one in November. I truly feel now that I qualify as State Advocate.

Throughout these years I have tried to contact many outdoor groups such as Bassmasters and Buckmasters with almost no luck with response. However a few years ago I received a Bassmaster magazine and saw where a member in Delaware was complaining about the trash in the water. He mentions about hikers packing it in and packing it out and why couldn’t fisherman do the same. I responded with the LNT message and it was printed in the next edition. So if you don’t get responses one way don’t give up, your chance might come in a different way.

Just think how clear and clean our hiking trails and streams would be if everyone would just carry a large trash bag into the woods with them everytime they went and took out everything that didn’t belong there. SO THE NEXT TIME YOU GO INTO THE WOODS THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF SOMEONE CAME INTO YOUR HOME AND THREW TRASH ALL OVER THE HOUSE. We are visitors in nature’s home let’s act like it and be kind to her.

So in closing this I would like to thank Ben for offering the position years ago and I will continue as long as you all want me to do this rewarding undertaking. Thanks again and I’ll see you down the trail or wherever we meet.

A Few Washington Community Events

From Washington State Advocate, Gina Pearson:

18th Annual Wenatchee River Salmon Festival (This weekend! 9/18-21)

The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is a four-day natural resource education event held each fall to celebrate the return of the salmon to the Wenatchee River. The Festival is held on the grounds of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, located at the mouth of the scenic Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth, Washington.

The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will be in attendance!

---

Second Chance Extravaganza

An Event to benefit Faith and Environment Network

Sunday, September 28th, 2008
St. John's Cathedral, Great Hall
Doors open and auction bidding begins at 3:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 5:00 p.m.

Featuring:
*A gourmet catered dinner by Chef Tim Hartman of Vin Rouge using fresh, local ingredients!
*Silent and Live Auction of quality new and gently used items such as:
*A Weekend Condo Stay at Schweitzer Mountain
*Two antique carved rocking chairs
*Gently used 16' Oldtown Canoe
*Second-hand electric lawnmower – great shape! Only used one season.
*Gently used Kangaroo Hillcrest motorcaddie (for golf lovers who want to walk, but can't carry their clubs) and much more!!!

Tickets: $20/person; $50/family; $150/table of eight

Tickets available at these locations:

Salem Lutheran Book Parlor
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
The Lands Council
faithandenvironment@gmail.com or 509-294-3944

We are looking for VOLUNTEERS to help on the day of the event. Can you lend a hand? Please contact faithandenvironment@gmail.com or Wanda at 922-0212.