A growing body of evidence says what anyone who spends regular time interacting with the environment knows: it’s good for you.
Going to the woods, mountains, or even your local park for just two hours a week can improve your health and well-being.
We think that everyone should spend as much time as possible in nature.
However, the 8 billion annual visitors to the world’s protected areas take a toll on the environment and the Earth’s most important resources.
The Leave No Trace Principles (lnt.org) provide guidelines for continuing to enjoy all Mother Nature has to offer while preserving the environment for future generations.
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Participating in recreational activities in nature can be good for your well-being, but it can also harm ecosystems, including wildlife.
As you venture out to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities, following these seven principles will help minimize your impact and improve recreation and environmental sustainability for the future.
1. Plan and prepare
Preparation isn’t just important for your safety.
It can also ensure that you take appropriate steps to reduce the potential negative impacts your activities may have on the places you visit. When planning, consider the following:
- Environmental conditions. Know what you’re getting into before you go so you can take steps to implement the principles of Leave No Trace.
- Weather conditions. Understand the likely conditions during your visit and prepare for potential hazards and weather extremes.
- Regulatory requirements. Find out if there are any regulations, restrictions, or unique concerns or dangers you should be aware of.
- Group size. Small groups have less impact, so keep your party size down.
- Time of visit: If possible, aim to go out during off-peak hours when the crowds are thinner.
Even if you’re visiting the same places, it doesn’t hurt to refresh your understanding of the area and review your preparations to make sure you’re following the Leave No Trace principles.
2. Travel and camping on durable surfaces
Choose your travel route carefully if you are walking, cycling, skiing or backpacking.
When you use well-established trail systems, stick to the trails.
Walk in the center of the trail regardless of trail conditions.
Groups must travel single file.
When traveling in lesser-known backcountry areas, choose routes over durable surfaces and disperse groups to avoid trampling and creating an unintended trail.
Stick to approved campsites in front or designated backcountry camping areas.
Make sure you install at least 200 feet away from water sources in the backyard.
If you are unloading in an RV following the Leave No Trace principles, you will need to select sites and locations with designated areas for recreational vehicles.
3. Dispose of waste properly
Pack it, pack it!
Waste of any kind can harm the environment, so be sure to dispose of waste properly.
A plastic bottle takes about 450 years to decompose.
It is not an organic material, so it will not decompose.
Aluminum cans take up to 200 years to decompose, and food wraps last 10-20 years.
According to the Leave No Trace Principles, the best way to deal with your poop is to bury it in a cat hole, dig at least 6 inches, and take care of business 200 feet from water.
Human waste takes about a year to decompose (it’s organic, so it decomposes).
In sensitive environments, you should bag your faeces.
As more people flock to the great outdoors, etiquette may require you to pack no matter where you’re going.
4. Leave what you find
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
The phrase is an essential component of the Leave No Trace Principles.
It may be hard to resist picking flowers or taking a cold rock or shell home with you, but you should leave them where you find them.
Likewise, use a compass and map instead of building rock bonfires.
Do not feature plants or animals that are not a natural part of the environment.
Invasive species can quickly destroy an ecosystem by consuming, crowding out, or crowding out native species.
5. Minimize exposure to bonfires
Humans cause 85% of wildfires in the US due to uncontrolled or improperly extinguished campfires.
7.1 million acres of wildland burned in 2021, up from 10.1 million in 2020.
Bonfires may be a time-honored tradition, but they can be potentially devastating.
Following the principles of leaving no trace means avoiding or eliminating bonfires as much as possible.
Use approved pits or rings if you are camping in an area that allows fires.
Make sure you put out the fire completely before turning in for the night or leaving your campsite.
6. Respect Wildlife
Remember, when you’re out in nature, you’re on wildlife turf.
Watching wildlife is fun, but keep a safe distance for their safety and yours.
No matter how cute and stubborn that ground squirrel (or any other animal) is, don’t feed it.
Ensuring that you provide your own food and keep the campsite clean is very important when following the principles of Leave No Trace.
Be aware of important wildlife life cycles and avoid visits when your activities may interfere with their natural behavior.
7. Be considerate of other visitors
Everyone deserves to enjoy the peace, beauty and tranquility of nature.
Respect the experience of others.
Practice proper trail etiquette and keep your voices down.
If you’re an RVer and boondocking or visiting campsites without utilities, help keep the peace by installing solar panels on your rig instead of running a generator.
Join Unbound Solar by following the Leave No Trace principles
At Unbound Solar, we are passionate about the environment.
We believe in and adhere to the principles of “Leave No Trace” and want to make it easy for others to do the same.
Whether you’re interested in solar panels and batteries for your RV or an off-grid system for your cabin, we have everything you need to reduce your impact on the environment through solar.
