Leave No Trace Principles
What is *Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces*?
This often-overlooked natural item takes approximately 2-5 months to decompose.
What is a *banana peel*?
You find litter on the trail but don’t have enough room in your bag to carry it. What should you do?
What is *carry out what you can and come back for more later or notify park staff*?
Feeding animals in the wild can lead to this, as animals become dependent on human food.
What is *habituation*?
This amount of time it takes for plastic bottles to decompose, posing a lasting impact on nature.
What is *450 years*?
The principle that reminds us to take everything we bring in back out with us.
What is *Dispose of Waste Properly*?
Leaving this type of waste behind in the wild can disrupt local ecosystems and attract animals.
What is *food waste*?
Someone in your group wants to carve their initials into a tree. How do you respond?
What is *explain that carving damages trees and disrupts natural beauty*?
Trampling plants in a delicate area affects this layer, which prevents erosion and helps soil retain moisture.
What is *ground cover*?
The Leave No Trace principle of avoiding campfires is important because even a small spark can lead to this.
What is a *wildfire*?
This principle is about observing and enjoying wildlife without disturbing them.
What is *Respect Wildlife*?
Breaking branches or stepping on delicate plants can destroy these, which often take years to grow back.
What are *native plants and ground cover*?
You’re hiking and come across a pile of rocks arranged in a sculpture. What should you do?
What is *leave the sculpture as you found it*?
This term describes the natural home of plants and animals that can be easily disturbed by human actions.
What is *habitat*?
One of the primary goals of Leave No Trace is to protect this, which provides homes, food, and shelter for wildlife.
What is *habitat*?
This principle encourages us to enjoy natural areas as they are without taking natural souvenirs.
What is *Leave What You Find*?
This natural landscape feature is often disturbed by hikers and campers, leading to erosion and habitat loss.
What is *soil*?
You are camping and someone suggests burning food scraps in the fire. How would you address this?
What is *explain that burning food scraps attracts animals and leaves behind residue*?
Litter, especially plastics, harms this type of animal that might mistake it for food.
What is *wildlife or marine animals*?
Visitors are encouraged to stay on trails because wandering off can lead to this type of damage to ecosystems.
What is *erosion*?
This principle reminds us to be considerate of others in the outdoor environment.
What is *Be Considerate of Other Visitors*?
This term describes the lasting impact on an area from too much foot traffic.
What is *trail erosion*?
Your friend wants to feed a wild animal. How would you explain why that’s not a good idea?
What is *feeding animals disrupts their natural foraging habits and can make them dependent on humans*?
This term describes non-native plants that disrupt ecosystems and often thrive due to human disturbance.
What are *invasive species*?
Leaving food waste behind attracts these animals, which may become dependent and disrupt the local ecosystem.
What are *scavengers (like raccoons or bears)*?