Leave No Trace: The Seven Principles

I’m Dean Ronzoni, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Leave No Trace. We are a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of science, education, and stewardship to empower people as drivers of conservation.

A key component of our work is the Seven Principles - a set of guidelines and skills designed to minimize our unintended impacts on the outdoors. For over ten years, Big Agnes, along with its employees and customers, has been dedicated to practicing these principles to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

Whether you’re on a backcountry camping trip, an evening hike with your four-legged friend, or simply having a picnic in your local park, I encourage you to do your part by following the Seven Principles and Leave No Trace!

Leave No Trace: The Seven Principles

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors

Let's break it down: 

Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

Planning and preparing for visiting the outdoors, helps to accomplish trip goals safely and enjoyably while simultaneously minimizing damage to the land. Poor planning can result in a less enjoyable experience and damage to natural and cultural resources. 

Examples of appropriate planning are things such as meal planning, potential weather, terrain, regulations/restrictions, land boundaries, average skill set of the group, and group size are important to consider before going outside. 

Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 

Traveling outdoors through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land, foliage, or waterways is of utmost importance. Understanding how travel can cause impacts is necessary to accomplish this goal.  

Travel damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery. Here are some examples of traveling and camping on durable surfaces: 

• Staying on the trail

• Camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams

• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. 

Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly 

The waste humans create while enjoying outdoor spaces can have severe impacts if not disposed of properly. It is crucial to anticipate the types of waste you will need to dispose of and know the proper techniques for disposing of each type of waste. 

The Basics? 

• Pack it in, pack it out. Always inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled food. Pack out all trash. Burning trash is never recommended. 
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6-8 inches deep.

Principle 4: Leave What You Find 

The items we find in nature have a role to play, either in the ecosystem or the story of the landscape. Leaving what we find in place helps to preserve both. 

The Basics: 

• Preserve the past: observe cultural or historic structures and artifacts, but do not touch them.
• 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.

Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts 

Once necessary for cooking and warmth, campfires are steeped in history and tradition. Some people would not think of camping without a campfire. Campfire building is also an essential skill for every camper. Yet, the natural appearance of many areas has been degraded by the overuse of fires and increasing demand for firewood. Moreover, wildfires continue to threaten outdoor spaces and are primarily caused by humans. We can minimize campfire impacts by keeping a few key things in mind.

Principle 6: Respect Wildlife

• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. 
•  Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. 
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. 
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. 

Principle 7: Be Considerate of Others 

One of the most important components of outdoor ethics is to maintain courtesy toward others. It helps everyone enjoy their outdoor experience. Excessive noise, uncontrolled pets, and damaged surrounding detract from the natural appeal of the outdoors. Being considerate of others ensures everyone can enjoy nature no matter how they interact with it. 

The Basics: 

• Respect others and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Greet riders and ask which side of the trail to move to when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and others.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

To learn more about the importance of practicing the Seven Principles, and how you can reduce your impact while enjoying the outdoors, click the link below!

Leave No Trace: The Seven Principles

This post was originally written and distributed by Leave No Trace © (Leave No Trace) Photos by Noah Wetzel.