What is Leave No Trace Canada National nonprofit

What is Leave No Trace Canada Ø National non-profit charitable organization Ø Branch – Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Vision: § To take the lead role in addressing and mitigating recreational impacts on Canada’s wilderness and natural area recreation resources. Mission: § Promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.

Leave No Trace Canada: Ø Develops and delivers environmental programs Ø Teaches awareness and respect for wilderness and natural areas.

Ø Works with diverse populations Ø Promotes a national set of skill and ethics Ø Basic messages Ø Pack it in, pack it out.

Leave No Trace applies to: • Canada’s varied ecosystems and • All self-propelled, non-motorized outdoor activities Photos: Parks Canada, Environment Canada

Leave No Trace is Research Based • Recreation ecology tells us about recreation impacts and how they can be reduced by managers and visitors. • Social science research tells us about visitors’ experience and perceptions.

Why Leave No Trace? Ø Increasing use of Recreational Lands Ø Over 80% of Canadians engage in nature related activities (Environment Canada, 1999) Ø 115, 323, 513 Visitor days spent in National Parks, Provincial Parks and Wilderness Areas (Eagles et al. , 2000) Ø Canada’s National Parks = 24 million visits per yr. (Parks Canada Agency, 2000) § Increasing at 4. 5 % per yr Ø Canadian ecotourism has grown by 29% (World Tourism Organization, 2002)

Why Leave No Trace? We all have taken a pine cone, veered off the trail, or left an apple core behind. While these actions seem harmless at the time, until we learn to reduce our impact, the quality of our outdoor experiences, vegetation, and wildlife habitat are at risk.

Why Leave No Trace? Visitor Impacts ► Ecological § § Soil Compaction Vegetation loss Water contamination Wildlife disturbance, harassment and habitat destruction

Why Leave No Trace? ► Social § § Reduced wilderness experience Conflict between users Crowding Degraded aesthetic appeal

Why Leave No Trace? ► Need to maintain ecological integrity ► Avoid restrictive actions ► Preserve access to popular outdoor recreation areas by reducing impacts

The Solution ► Leave No Trace Canada believes that the solution is simple: change behavior through partnerships, research and education, one person at a time.

“Wilderness management is 80 -90% education and information, and 10% regulation. ” Max Peterson, former Chief of U. S. Forest Service

Leave No Trace Principles ► Plan Ahead and Prepare ► Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces ► Dispose of Waste Properly ► Leave What You Find ► Minimize Campfire Impacts ► Respect Wildlife ► Be Considerate of Others See Principles in detail Continue to Training

Plan Ahead and Prepare ► Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit. ► Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, emergencies and to Leave No Trace. ► Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. ► Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4 -6. ► Repackage food to minimize waste. ► Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of rock cairns, flagging or marking paint.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Ø Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Ø Protect riparian areas by camping at least 60 meters from lakes and streams. Ø Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces In popular areas: Ø Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Ø Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Ø Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces In Pristine Areas: Ø Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails Ø Avoid places where impacts are just beginning

Dispose of Waste Properly Ø Pack it in, pack it out. § § § Ø Deposit solid human waste in catholes § § Ø Trash Food waste Toilet paper and hygiene products 15 to 20 cm’s deep 60 meters from water, camp and trails. Avoid contaminating water § § § Wash yourself and your dishes 60 meters away Use small amounts of biodegradable soap Scatter strained dishwater

Leave What You Find ► Preserve the past: Observe, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures or artifacts. § Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. § Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. § Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts Ø Use a lightweight stove for cooking Ø Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans or mound fires. Ø Keep fires small. Ø Only use fallen dead wood where permitted Ø Consider the alternatives to campfires Ø Leave campfire pits in a clean state for the next user

Respect Wildlife Ø Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: § mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. Ø Observe wildlife from a distance Ø Do not follow or approach wildlife Ø Never feed animals. Ø Store food and trash securely Ø Control pets at all times

Be Considerate of Others Ø Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Ø Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Ø Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Ø Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Ø Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Benefits of Applying Leave No Trace Ø Safer and higher quality experiences. Ø Prevents avoidable impacts and minimizes unavoidable. Ø Protects the quality of natural environments Ø Preserves the quality of recreation experiences Ø Avoids the need for restrictive regulations and use limits.

The Leave No Trace Challenge Ø Prevent avoidable resource and social impacts Ø Minimize unavoidable impacts Ø Preserve the quality of resources and recreation experiences

Leave No Trace Training Ø Awareness Workshops Ø Trainer Courses Ø Master Educator Courses

Leave No Trace Training Ø Awareness Workshops § Any type of formal Leave No Trace training that is one-day or less in length. Ø Trainer Courses § Are typically two-day trainings put on in an outdoor setting by Master Educators. Trainer courses are designed to help you better understand teach Leave No Trace skills and ethics. Ø Master Educator Courses § A Master Educator course is typically five-days in length and designed for people who are actively teaching others backcountry skills or providing recreation information to the public. Successful graduates of the Master Educator course have the ability to train others in Leave No Trace skills as well as facilitate trainer courses. Master Educator courses are offered by selected Authorized Providers across Canada

How You Can Help! Ø Become trained in Leave No Trace skills and ethics Ø Become a member of Leave No Trace Canada Ø Volunteer for Leave No Trace Canada Ø Become an official partner with Leave No Trace Canada Ø Be an advocate for Leave No Trace

Founding Partners

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