History & Mission of the Leave No Trace Program

Presentation Objectives  Review the history of low impact educational programs.  Describe the origin of Leave No Trace and the role of the U.S. Forest Service and the National Outdoor Leadership School.  Describe why education is better than regulation.  Describe the creation, role, and mission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.

Educational Programs: Conception and Early Development  Low impact educational efforts originated in backcountry and federally-designated Wilderness areas in the 1960’s.  In the 1970’s, the federal agencies began to develop educational brochures. The program was slogan- based.  Early names: Wilderness Manners, Wilderness Ethics, Minimum-Impact Camping, and No-Trace Camping.

Take Only Pictures... Leave Only Footprints

The “No-Trace” Program  Developed by U.S. Forest Service wilderness managers in the early 1980’s.  Humanistic approach for wilderness ethics and low impact hiking and camping practices.  Program success led to cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service and in the late 1980’s.

Regulation... or Education ?  Regulations antagonize the public … education wins their support.  Most impacts are not due to malicious acts. Education improves knowledge of consequences and low impact practices.  Enforcement of regulations is difficult.

Creation of the “ Leave No Trace ” Program  Leave No Trace (LNT) selected as the name for an expanded national program in  USFS formed a partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to develop LNT educational materials and courses.  NOLS taught the first Master Educator course in the Wind River Range in 1991.

Creation of Leave No Trace, Inc.  Outdoor Recreation Summit in 1993 recommended creation of the non- profit LNT, Inc.  LNT, Inc. was created in 1994 to guide the national program’s development, establish partnerships, distribute educational materials, and conduct fundraising.  Renamed the “Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics” in 2003.

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics  Partners with federal agencies, manufacturers, retailers and others to promote minimum impact messages.  A non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. Bureau of Land Management U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Park Service U.S. Forest Service

Current Status  The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is located in Boulder, CO, and guided by a Board of Directors with corporate, non-profit and government representatives.  > 1 million budget; staff: 9 permanent staff & 3 teams of traveling educators in  Funding is primarily derived from corporate manufacturing and retail partners, sales, and memberships.

Evolving Focus The Leave No Trace program began with a focus on Wilderness and the federal agencies, but has evolved to encompass backcountry, frontcountry, and urban settings. WildernessBackcountryFrontcountry

Current Status: Training Organizations The following organizations have been authorized to teach the Leave No Trace Master Educator course:  National Outdoor Leadership School  Appalachian Mountain Club  Landmark Learning  Wilderness Educational Association  USFS Ninemile Wildlands Training Center  Boy Scouts of America

Current Status: Partners Leave No Trace partners with a variety of organizations to accomplish its mission:  State Agencies  Local Agencies  Corporations  Non-Profits  Outfitters and Guides  Universities  LNT members (>43,000)

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