Road Wisdom: Geocaching

According to geocache.com, “Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.”

Currently there are over 1 million registered caches worldwide! As we travel the country, teaching the skills and ethics of Leave No Trace, we encounter many different schools of thought on this up-and-coming activity, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

Some people feel strongly that geocaching bridges the gap for people that enjoy technological activities with being on an outdoor adventure in a natural setting. Other people feel that some geocachers miss a majority of the outdoor experience because they are so focused on the technology piece that they are driven into the wilderness only to put all of their energy into finding the coordinates. Yet another group feels that geocaching brings individuals and families together by getting them out of their living rooms and into the great outdoors. What is your opinion?

Regardless of each person’s motive to join the geocache movement, Leave No Trace has developed a reference hang tag (available in our online store) to promote responsible recreation practices while geocaching. Here are some points to consider:

• Plan properly for your geocaching outing by having the items or equipment you'll need to safely enjoy your adventure. Also, if placing a cache, make sure it's legal in your area.
• Be conscious of where caches are placed (choose durable surfaces) and think about how traveling to and from a cache can cause trampling, erosion, etc.
• Have the necessary knowledge/equipment to deal with trash, litter and human waste.
• Consider the impacts of geocaching to both plants and animals.
• Be mindful of other visitors who may also be enjoying the same areas as you.
  

If you would like to weigh in on your opinion of geocaching, email kateandtracy@lnt.org and we will post comments on an upcoming blog!

Happy Geocaching,
Kate and Tracy

And the award goes to...

Last November, the Center was honored to present the Adventure Film Festival Leave No Trace Award to "Ascending the Giants." Featuring Brian French and Will Koomjian, with the filmmaking artistry of director/producer John Waller, this film highlights the quest to find the largest tree in Oregon... by climbing them all. Featuring stunning cinematography of four Sitka spruce ascents, "Ascending the Giants" is unique in its excitement, adventure and portrayal of a proud recreational ethic.

The above video highlights the opening night of the 3-day festival, in which the filmmaker & actors were presented with the Leave No Trace Award "live," by using Skype to conference them in to the theater.

More on Leave No Trace & Adventure Film:
The Center is now in its second year as Adventure Film's Nonprofit Partner. The world's greatest stories play out in the wild places of this earth, and those wild places are a limited and delicate resource. We are all key players in preserving this stage for future generations. In the spirit of adventure and conservation, Leave No Trace empowers people to be the solution to environmental impact by educating communities worldwide on the skills and ethics of sustainable recreation. As such, this dynamic partnership brings awareness to our collective mission to promote "Activism through Adventure."

Do you Leave No Trace like Bigfoot?

The first two readers have emailed me and commented with the answer to this question, and they will win a Bigfoot Pint Glass. Stay tuned for future opportunities to win prizes or take the Bigfoot Challenge today to enter to win more cool stuff.

What would Bigfoot do with pet waste while out on a hike in your local park?

Take the Leave No Trace Bigfoot Challenge today!

Poll Answer - What would allow you to spend more time outside?

Thanks to all those who participated in our recent poll - What would allow you to spend more time outside? Almost 70% of respondents noted that more time would allow for greater time spent outside. This further demonstrates just how busy our lives really are on a daily basis. A few telling stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent study (2008) on how Americans spend their time:

Leisure Activities in 2008

--On an average day, nearly everyone age 15 and over (96 percent) engaged
in some sort of leisure activity, such as watching TV, socializing, or
exercising. Of those who engaged in leisure activities, men spent more
time in these activities (5.7 hours) than did women (5.1 hours).

--Watching TV was the leisure activity that occupied the most time, ac-
counting for about half of leisure time, on average, for both men and
women. Socializing, such as visiting with friends or attending or
hosting social events, was the next most common leisure activity, ac-
counting for about three-quarters of an hour per day for both sexes.

--Men were more likely than women to participate in sports, exercise, or
recreation on any given day--21 versus 15 percent. On the days that
they participated, men also spent more time in these activities than
did women, 1.9 versus 1.3 hours.

--On an average day, adults age 75 and over spent 7.6 hours engaged in
leisure activities--more than any other age group; 25- to 44-year-olds
spent just over 4 hours engaged in leisure and sports activities--less
than other age groups.

--Time spent reading for personal interest and playing games or using a
computer for leisure varied greatly by age. Individuals age 75 and
over averaged 1.2 hours of reading per weekend day and 0.3 hour (17
minutes) playing games or using a computer for leisure. Conversely,
individuals ages 15 to 19 read for an average of 0.2 hour (10 minutes)
per weekend day while spending 1.0 hour playing games or using a com-
puter for leisure.

--Employed adults living in households with no children under 18 engaged
in leisure activities for 4.5 hours per day, nearly an hour more than
employed adults living with a child under age 6.



Bottom line - we all have to make time for getting outside. It's not easy, but for those of us who love the out-do-doors, it's what we have to do.

What is the worst impact you've ever seen?

Having spent many weeks per year in the out-of-doors over the past several decades, I have seen a lot of recreation-related impacts. Some mild, some horrific. Some due to malicious intent, others due to ignorance. Over the past year I've seen a few impacts that have rivaled anything I've ever seen before. Big fires, serious erosion, invasive species, pet waste and litter. As with all impacts, it's not the one time someone builds a big fire or the one time someone leaves litter behind. It's the cumulative impact of people doing the same things over and over again that begins to add up and create serious problems.

What impacts have you seen?

A few pictures: tamarisk, an invasive species, along a river in Utah; impacts from a beach fire and graffiti carved in a rock slab:

Car Camping in Style

For some it’s the smell of a campfire. For others, it’s sleeping under the stars. And, for others it’s simply being outside for a night. In 2007, more than 60 million people went car camping in the U.S. These people stayed at state parks, private campgrounds, national parks, US Forest Service campgrounds and everywhere in between. For many, car camping is the preferred way to enjoy the out-of-doors.

There are many reasons that car camping is so popular in the U.S. For starters, it’s relatively easy when compared to backpacking–you can take fresh food, coolers, large camp stoves, barbeque grills, hammocks, sun shelters, games, pets, folding camp chairs, etc. Additionally, developed campgrounds generally offer trashcans or dumpsters, bathrooms, washing facilities, picnic tables, flat tent pads and even electricity in some locations. Another reason is that many car camping areas are close to home and easily accessible. Finally, car camping is something that the whole family can enjoy together.

Fortunately, car camping makes it easy to camp in style while minimizing impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind on your next car camping trip for Leaving No Trace:

Know Before You Go – Decide where you want to go–trips close to home are usually easiest. The US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and most state parks offer many car camping opportunities. Some designated campgrounds are very developed (showers, laundry, hot tubs, etc.) and other areas quite primitive (pit toilets, no running water, very few if any amenities, etc.) Visit http://www.reserveamerica.com/ or http://www.recreation.gov to find and reserve a site that meets your needs. Borrow or purchase some basic gear if you don’t already have it: tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove, lantern, etc. Be sure to bring all other items you’ll need to ensure a comfortable stay. Also find out if there are any special regulations for the area or campground you’ll be visiting.

Overnight Right – Many designated campsites offer tent pads or other areas that are well suited for tents. Use these areas. If no designated tent sites exist, put your tent site and kitchen site on the most durable surface available: gravel, bare ground, rock, etc. Consider putting a tarp down in your kitchen area to catch food and trash which can then be easily put into the trash. When traveling around campgrounds, to and from the bathhouse for example, use established paths.

Trash Your Trash – If trashcans are provided, use them. If not, take your trash back home with you so you can dispose of it properly. Burning trash is highly discouraged and burying trash is never in style.

Where’s the Bathroom? – Should your chosen campground have toilet facilities, use them. If not, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources. Be sure to pick up after your pet too. Use a plastic grocery bag or newspaper bag and toss pet waste in the trash or pack it out.

Leave It As You Find it – Remember that other campers will likely visit your site in the future. Leave the site in a condition that others can enjoy.

Be Careful with Fire – Camp stoves are generally much easier to cook on than fires, and they are safer and create less impact. If you do want to have a fire, make sure it’s permitted and safe. Use existing fire rings and keep your fire small. Remember, a campfire isn’t a trashcan so pack out or throw away your trash. Before gathering any firewood in a campground, make sure it’s allowed.

Keep Wildlife Wild – Securely store all your food when car camping. In many locations this means in your car. Check with rangers or campground host about proper food storage. Remember, feeding wildlife is unhealthy for them and starts bad habits.

Share Our Campgrounds – Be considerate of other campers by adhering to campground rules, keeping your pet under control and by being a good neighbor.

These simple tips will make easy to Leave No Trace of your next car camping adventure.

National Get Outdoors Day - Denver, CO

JUNE 14, 2008: DENVER COLORADO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2008

Contact: [Susan Alden-Weingardt, Partnership Coordinator, USFS, Rocky Mountain Region and Co-Chair of June 14 event, 303-275-5401, salden@fs.fed.us]

Fun in the sun at Sloan’s Lake Park on National Get Outdoors Day

DENVER, Colorado, (May 21, 2008) – Governor Bill Ritter has declared June Great Outdoors Month in Colorado and President Bush has proclaimed June 14 as National Get Outdoors Day. Denver’s celebration will be a signature event highlighting the importance of enjoying our amazing outdoor recreation opportunities.

Avid4 Adventure, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Parks and Recreation, Outward Bound, REI, The US Forest Service, The National Park Service, Vail Resorts, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and many more sponsors will host the inaugural National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 14, 2008, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver. Designed to become an annual summer event, National Get Outdoors Day encourages healthy, active outdoor fun. Participating partners will offer opportunities for families across the United States to experience traditional and non-traditional types of outdoor activities.

This exciting, unique event is designed to reach first-time visitors to public lands and to reconnect our youth to the great outdoors. Booths and outdoor stations will offer a variety of fun activities such as a mountain bike course, rock climbing and geocaching.

National Get Outdoors Day is an outgrowth of the Get Outdoors USA! campaign, which encourages everyone, especially our youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace our parks, forests, refuges and other public lands and waters.

For more information visit www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org. To reserve space for a booth call Bill Kight at 970-948-1894 or email bkight@fs.fed.us.

Leave No Trace - Now More Than Ever

In the seven years I've been with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, I've provided outreach, education and training to thousands of people all across the U.S. and in many countries around the globe. While on the road, I'm constantly reminded of just how many people are supporters or practitioners of Leave No Trace - a great thing. Particularly when you consider that there are hundreds of millions of recreationists who regularly enjoy all the outdoor opportunities this country has to offer.

Last week I had the opportunity to present to a group of forty river rafting company owners and guides in Oregon about Leave No Trace. All were part of the Headwaters Institute, an organization with a mission to provide education that inspires individuals and communities to care for and connect with their watershed. They were all very supportive of Leave No Trace and in many ways, it was like preaching to the choir. This week, I'm at the American Camp Association conference in Tennessee, and again, I'm interacting with people who are supportive of Leave No Trace. Many of the ACA conference participants are deeply involved in the Leave No Trace program and are actively teaching kids about Leave No Trace. Both of these great organizations are partners of Leave No Trace and actively promote outdoor ethics.

What I keep seeing is more and more support for Leave No Trace from all those who enjoy the out of doors. Now more than ever, Leave No Trace is gaining momentum and educating more people than we ever thought possible. Together we can make a significant difference for the responsible use and active stewardship of our shared outdoor resources. It's not what you did yesterday, it's what you're doing tomorrow.

Thank You North and Ella!

Recently North Moench and Ella Goodbrod finished up their second year as Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers. We would like to bid North and Ella a very fond farewell as they have decided to move on to pursue new adventures. North and Ella have served as Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers since January of 2006 and have played an essential role in the programs growth. On Behalf of everyone at the Center, we would like to thank North and Ella for their dedicated work and we wish them the best of luck!

Above is a photo from a recent staff hike that we did with North and Ella before they parked their Subaru for the final time.

National Mall in D.C. in Trouble

I just read a disheartening article about the poor condition of the National Mall in Washington D.C.



http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-13-nationalmall_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip(link

The article detailed a number of issues the Mall is facing but also focused on the bigger picture of the current status of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is charged with managing a system that contains nearly 400 units (National Parks, National Battlefields, National Historic Parks, National Rivers, National Monuments, National Seashores, etc.) that comprise 84 million acres of land. Due to significant budget deficits and lack of both personnel and resources, our parks are suffering. Some of the damage is the result of management issues but other damage is the result of overuse, and in some cases, outright abuse. Leave No Trace is an obvious solution to some of the damage. However, there are other issues that can likely only be dealt with by Congress. I urge you to support our National Parks to the extent you can so that this wonderful resource can endure for future generations. I know that someday I want my son to be able to enjoy and explore our wonderful system of parks, battlefields, seashores, monuments and rivers as I have done...