The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Outdoor Project was created with a community in mind, and one that we hope will become an integral part in collectively inspiring everyone to spend more time outdoors. The wonderful adventure guides we've published on the website, replete with beautiful photography, maps, and connections to nearby camping, adventures, and accommodations, are just a small part of what we hope Outdoor Project will become. We have begun to work with some amazing non-profit organizations whose work makes a lasting difference in the education and conservation efforts in the areas we serve. In addition to promoting their ongoing efforts, as a start-up community we have raised over $1,500 in just six months to help them do more. And this is just a start.

But there is another aspect of community that we think is important to foster: it is a priority that our members are knowledgeable in the principles of ethical outdoor recreation, namely how to make sure one person’s experience of the outdoors doesn’t come at the expense of another person's quality experience. The Leave No Trace concept was created with exactly this principle in mind. We recently joined The Center for Outdoor Ethics as an Educational Partner to embed the principles of Leave No Trace into the core of Outdoor Project. The Center is a non-profit group that oversees the Leave No Trace program and works to bring the principles and message of Leave No Trace to anyone who likes to explore the outdoors. They have put together a comprehensive collection of training materials on how to apply Leave No Trace principles to the many types of outdoor activities we do, and we're excited to help share these with you.

To arm yourself with the basic elements of Leave No Trace, here are seven easy principles you should know and remember.

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

Applying these principles to different outdoor activities may require some nuance, but trust us when we say it’s not too complicated. We’ll share more details, examples, and fun stories about each of these Leave No Trace principles in our blog and education section to make sure you are equipped with more than just the basics. If you are eager to start exploring Leave No Trace now, visit lnt.org for more information.