Leave No Trace Principles, as mentioned in the Maine Island Trail Association article above, are practiced by many folks enjoying wilderness activities. They were developed and are promoted by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

The goal of the Leave No Trace educational program is to avoid or minimize impacts to natural area resources and help ensure a positive recreational experience for all visitors. America’s public lands are a finite resource whose social and ecological values are linked to the integrity of their natural conditions and processes. Government land managers continually struggle to meet mandates to provide high quality recreational use while still protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources. Educating visitors about low-impact ethics and skills is seen as an effective approach that can reduce the need for implementing regulations that limit our use of wilderness areas.

Leave No Trace Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For a brief explanation of each principle, Click Here.
For more detailed information of each principle, Click Here.

This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information or materials, please visit www.LNT.org or call 303.442.8222.

For international Leave No Trace Organizations and Partners visit http://lnt.org/partnership/intl.html.