Minnesota Summertime

A Minnesota Sunset

While the e-tour rolls into Minnesota and the start of summer there, which can mean only one thing -- flat water canoeing. Canoeing is a great way to enjoy the lakes region of the U.S. and Canada, so if you're packing up and heading out to a chain of lakes this summer, here are a few Leave No Trace tips for your paddling:

• Wear great boots -- Trails between lakes are, because of the fact that they go between lakes, much more likely to be muddy than usual trails. So make sure you have great boots so you can tromp right through that mud and protect the vegetation and habitat on either side of the trail.
• Don't crash into shoreline -- Give both the landing and your boat a break by wet-foot portaging. In this technique, you slow the boat and use your feet to stop it before it crashes into rocks and landing, avoiding damaging them and keeping from making that big old crashing sound. Hop out in the water to unload the boat and throw it up on your shoulders for that hike over.
• Check fire regulations -- Just because your around water doesn't mean you can get careless with your fire building. When you set off on a backcountry paddle, check the current fire regulations before you go and keep them in mind throughout the trek. If you start with a fire ban on your permit, it's a fire ban throughout your trip even if it rains or weather conditions change.
• Check your boat for invasive species -- Just like it's important to clean your boots before a backpacking trip, if you're moving your boat from one area to another you should check it for invasive species. Check in with boat permitting offices for the most up-to-date information about invasives and stop aquatic hitchhikers!

We're excited to be in Minnesota right at the start of the season and are looking forward to getting some paddling in ourselves! So enjoy the North Woods & Leave No Trace!

Paddle or Portage?

Quinn & Frank

Back to Winter for the Spring Solstice

Quinn on skis! At a yurt!

Arriving in Tahoe after their best snow of the season, the e-tour made its way to Hope Valley Outdoors for an event with some local elementary school children. Hope Valley Outdoors is a backcountry ski yurt that provides rentals, guiding, and school outreach. Along with Joyce, who runs the yurt, we introduced kindergartners and fifth graders to the Leave No Trace principles. We talked about Trashing Your Trash and how to protect our favorite wild places and wildlife in the winter wonderland of Tahoe. We romped around in the snow playing a frigid version of Okay/No Way where the students ran to through a foot of powder to answer questions about appropriate outdoor behavior. After we were done teaching them, these students taught us a few things about how to cross-country ski! Thanks for the trade!

As the season winds down, it's important for everyone to keep in mind Leave No Trace when adventuring in winter environments. One great resource is the new winter recreation plastic reference card from Leave No Trace. As winter transitions into spring, it's a very sensitive time for ecosystems. While a deep layer of snow creates a durable surface that protects vegetation below it, while it melts it creates muddy conditions where trails and plants are vulnerable to damage. So make sure that you are extra careful to not trample budding flowers when you head outdoors and be sure to Plan Ahead and Prepare so you know the conditions of trails before heading out!

Happy Spring,

Quinn & Frank

Cryptomania!

In the Red Rock Ranger District in Sedona, the Forest Service is doing some great outreach to spread the word on Leave No Trace related issues. At many of the trailheads in the Forest there, they have this great informative sign about cryptobiotic soil up. This wild soil, which is actually alive, does a lot of the heavy lifting in the desert ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau to provide nutrients to plants in the harsh environment. If you step on crypto it can take decades to regenerate in this fragile and harsh ecosystem. So, remember to Choose the Right Path, Stay on the Trail, and DON'T BUST THE CRUST!

Gone to tiptoe 'round the crypto,

Quinn & Frank

Safe Travels of the Non-Motorized Kind

Hope you are enjoying the holidays and this season of traveling via planes, trains and automobiles. If you are lucky enough to do some non-motorized traveling - walking through a snowy park, snowshoeing on a nature trail or gliding down a mountain - be sure to keep leave no trace practices in mind wherever your destination may be.

Winter conditions can be extreme so planning a preparing for your outing will ensure a safe and fun trip.

What is now a beautiful landscape of snow might become a flowing stream or important water source come springtime, so knowing the landscape, staying on designated trails if possible and packing out trash will help maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Winter can also be a vulnerable time for wild animals, so being extra careful to respect wildlife and maintaining a safe distance will ensure their safety and yours too.

And, as always, practicing leave no trace keeps open spaces accessible for years to come, so here's to fun, safe and responsible recreation in 2010. Happy New Year!

Stick To The Trail, Even When It's Muddy!

There are a number of reasons why it is important to travel on durable surfaces and stick to the trail, in areas where there is an established trail. You want to travel on the trail even when you come to a puddle in the middle of the trail. Here are some of these reasons why Leave No Trace recommends this practice: (from www.lnt.org)

*Concentrating travel on trails reduces the likelihood that multiple routes will develop and scar the landscape.

*It is better to have one well-designed route than many poorly chosen paths.

*Trail use is recommended whenever possible. Encourage travelers to stay within the width of the trail and not short cut trail switchbacks (trail zigzags that climb hill sides).

*In winter conditions, stay on deep snow cover whenever possible; in muddy spring conditions, stay on snow or walk in the middle of the trail to avoid creating new trails and damaging trailside plants.

*If you are in desert environments, however, avoid traveling through puddles, as water is such a finite resource in these areas!

So, as you get outdoors this winter, remember to travel and camp on durable surfaces!

Safe travels...Kate and Tracy

Teachable Moments: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Our "Dear Education Department" this month references the Leave No Trace principle, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. How can you teach people about durable surfaces? Here are some tips:

• Define "Durable." Durable surfaces are those that are both resistant (won’t show much impact when people hike or camp on them) and resilient (will recover quickly). If you find that that this principle isn’t resonating as much with your audience try the frountcountry or kids versions: Stick to Trails and/or Choose the Right Path
• Get Visual. If you are outside, have people choose different natural objects from the trail/ground and create a “durable surface spectrum.”
• Play “Surface Hopscotch.” Create a fictional trail and ask participants to get from one end to the other using only durable surfaces (represented in words or photographs on various cards). For more information about this, check out our new Teen Program webpage.
  

Thanks for your support of Leave No Trace and Happy Trails!

Photo caption: Trainer Course participants create a durable surface spectrum out of natural object.