This spring and summer, as you and your family enjoy the bounty of natural beauty with which we are blessed here in the North State, be sure to remember to Leave No Trace so these spaces remain natural and unspoiled for others to enjoy.
Plan Ahead for Your Camping or Hiking Adventure
Check weather conditions and trail maps for closures and rough or steep terrain. Being unprepared for changing weather or difficult trails can lead to choosing poor campsite areas, which can lead to resource damage.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stay on established trails, don’t shortcut switchbacks and don’t break branches or walk on delicate vegetation. Choose to camp on durable surfaces (rock, sand, gravel, dry grasses, ice and snow) or established camping areas. Camp at least 200 ft from water sources.
Depose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, Pack it out. Check carefully throughout your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Plan for one-pot meals and light weight snacks and remove excess packaging to decreases garbage.
Leave What You Find
Natural objects such as antlers, petrified wood or colored rocks add to beauty of natural landscapes and should be left so others can experience a sense of discovery.
In national parks and many other protected places, it is illegal to remove natural cultural objects found on public lands.
- Don’t dig trenches or construct lean-tos, tables/chairs or other rudimentary improvements.
- Don’t hammer nails into trees for hanging things
- Carving initials into trees is unacceptable.
- Take a picture of flowers or encourage your child to sketch the flower instead of picking it.
Respect Wildlife
Wildlife can be unpredictable. Do not touch, get close to, feed, or pick up wild animals. It is stressful to the animal and it is possible that the animal may harbor rabies or other diseases.
For more information on how to Leave No Trace, go to LNT.org
Posted in: Recreation & Sports
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
Different Sports for Different Kids: Getting Children to Develop a Lifelong Love of Physical Fitness
At a time when being hooked on smartphones is prevalent in our society, it’s more important than ever to help children (and adults) make physical fitness a priority. But how […]
Local Treasures to Build Upon Your Family’s Homeschool Experience
Education is a cumulative process and, as homeschooling parents, we can be thankful that learning builds upon itself. Imagine laying one brick at a time and mortaring it solidly into […]
A Flag on the Play: Football Fears and Concussion Care, with Dr. Parker
Traumatic brain injuries are getting more coverage these days. But stories usually cover adult injuries. To learn more about the risks to our children, we reached out to Dr. Nate […]
Rock Climbing Basics in The North State
Rock climbing is a growing sport in the U.S. and with its introduction at the 2020/2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, is now a major competitive sport. But many people also […]
