Leave No Trace The Seven Principles Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Boulder, CO 2009

Leave No Trace Leave No Trace is a program that helps us remember how to protect the outdoor spaces that we like to visit: Parks Rivers Lakes Mountains Beaches Camping Areas Even our own backyard! There are seven easy ways to help us “Leave No Trace” when we play outdoors. What do you think the first one might be?

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… His favorite things to say are: “Plan ahead for your trip.” “Make sure to bring extra food, clothing and water.” “Check the weather and look at a map before you leave home.” “Don’t forget to tell other where you are going, and when you will be back!”

Leave No Trace Meet Pointer the Compass! He reminds us to “Know Before we Go.” What do you think might be in Pointer’s backpack to help him prepare for a trip? What do you think is another way that we can Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… Their favorite things to say are: “Stick to Trails.” “Walk around flowers and plants.” “Camp in a designated (approved) campsite.” “Walk through the mud on the trail, instead of around it.”

Leave No Trace Meet Trek and Track, a pair of boots! They remind us to “Choose the Right Path.” What sort of things could Trek and Track bring to help them “Choose the Right Path”? Why do you think they tell us to stay on the trail/path/sidewalk? What you think might be another way to help us Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… His favorite things to say are: “Pack it in, pack it out.” “Leave a place better than you find it.” “Put litter in it’s place.” (the trash can) “Protect our water sources.”

Leave No Trace Meet Digger, the shovel! He reminds us to “Trash Your Trash.” What does Digger mean when he says “leave a place better than you find it?” Should we throw our apple cores and banana peels in a trash can, even though they grow on trees in the outdoors? What you think might be another way to help us Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… Her favorite things to say are: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” “Keep things in nature for others to enjoy.” “Respect cultural sites, they represent our history.”

Leave No Trace Meet Flash the Camera. She remind us to “Leave What You Find.” What might Flash take with her in her backpack? What are other ways that we can take a memory from our trip? What do you think is another way to help us Leave No Trace? Only a few more to go!

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… His favorite things to say are: “Make sure it’s okay to build a fire at your camping or picnic spot. You can ask the park ranger!” “Safety first! Small campfires are just as fun as bigger ones and they help prevent forest fires.” “Always make sure your fire is out before you leave.”

Leave No Trace Meet Sparks the Stove. He reminds us to “Be Careful with Fire.” What if campfires aren’t allowed in the area where you are camping or picnicking? What could you use instead for cooking? For light? For warmth? What do you think is another way to help us Leave No Trace? Only two more to go!

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… His favorite things to say are: “Keep a distance from wildlife for their safety and your safety. Remember the rule of thumb!” “Human food can make wild animals sick. Make sure your food is out of reach.” “Keep dogs on a leash so they are safe.” Use binoculars or a camera lens to get close-up views of animals from far away.”

Leave No Trace Meet Zooms, the binoculars. He reminds us to “Respect Wildlife.” If a chipmunk comes up to us looking for food should be feed it? What if we have leftover food? How do we know if we are too close to an animal? What are some clues? There’s one more way to help us Leave No Trace. What do you think it might be?

Leave No Trace Here are some clues… Her favorite things to say are: “Share the trails.” “It’s our shared space.” “Step aside if others need to pass you.” “Enjoy the sounds of nature! The quieter you are, the more you will hear and see.”

Leave No Trace Meet Pitch, the tent. She reminds us to “Be Kind to Other Visitors.” What are some ways that we can be kind to other visitors? Can there ever be too many people on a trail or at a camping/picnicking spot? Here are some photos of the outdoors…can you guess how they are trying to remind us about Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace Keep a safe distance to “Respect Wildlife.”

Leave No Trace “Leave What You Find” in nature by taking a photo.

Leave No Trace “Trash Your Trash” to leave a place better than you found it.

Leave No Trace Stick to trails, even when muddy, to “Choose the Right Path.”

Leave No Trace Share the space and “Be Kind to Other Visitors.”

Leave No Trace Make a small campfire instead of a large one and always “Be Careful with fire.”

Leave No Trace Look at a map so you “Know Before you Go.”

Leave No Trace Leave No Trace is for everyone…

Leave No Trace It will make your time outdoors more safe…

Leave No Trace And more fun!