Leave No Trace Principles for Ethical Camping

Leave No Trace is an international program promoting environmental awareness and responsible behaviour in the great outdoors, whether you are camping, hiking, canoeing or enjoying any other outdoor activity.
It has established 7 principles to guide us:

1. Plan and prepare before embarking on an outdoor adventure: take what you need with you, become familiar with the terrain and expect change in the weather. It is especially important when you are taking kids hiking with you. You need to prepare for all circumstances. Have good maps or a compass to reduce the risk of being lost. Take snacks and water and a change of clothes. In order to prepare better for any camping trip you can read some of the information and books offered by www.Woodalls.com

2. Camp and travel on durable surfaces.  All it means is to stay on the trail and use designated campsites in order to avoid erosion and destruction of plants. Do not “make” a new campsite and camp away from the water’s edge.

3. Dispose of waste properly: this includes trash, water waste and human waste. This goes without saying that garbage should not be left along the trail or on the campsite to spoil somebody else’s visit. It should be disposed of at the designated areas only (it also includes any left over food!).Water waste should not be contaminated by soap and detergents. Human waste should be disposed of by digging a cathole.

4. Leave everything intact: do not pick up those flowers, rocks or artifacts. They should remain in their natural habitat and still be there for others to enjoy. Do not build anything permanent and do not dig tent trenches.

5. Do not dig a pit in the ground for your campfire. Everyone should use a camp stove, existing fire ring or should build a mound out of stones, that can be easily disassembles later on. This one comes as a little surprise to me, but I understand that the scorched earth is not a pleasant site to be seeing along your route and that it also destroys plant and animal habitat. Keep your fire small and remember about fire safety!

6. Respect wildlife. Do not touch, follow, feed or disturb wild animals. This is especially important for children, who are curious about animals, but can unknowingly scare them or put themselves in danger. Keep your pets away from wildlife.It is also important  to keep your food safe and secure from wild animals and to take any left-over food with you.

7. Respect other people. As campers we all know how annoying loud neighbours can be while we are trying to enjoy the evening or sleep in our tent. Keep your pets on the leash so they do not scare the children.

All these principles could just be summed up as common sense and respect for your environment and others while enjoying your outdoor experience.