Wildlife
True or False: It’s okay to feed wild animals if they seem hungry.
False. Feeding wildlife can harm animals by making them dependent on humans and changing their natural behaviors.
What is the principle of “Leave No Trace” mainly about?
It’s about minimizing your impact on the environment and leaving nature as you found it.
What is the first step in the recycling process? (how do you recycle)
Sorting materials (such as paper, plastic, and metal) into different categories.
What is one reason why it’s important to yield the trail to others when hiking?
Yielding to others, especially uphill hikers or those with heavier loads, is courteous and helps prevent accidents or conflicts on narrow trails.
What is one example of an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles?
Reusable water bottles made of stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastic.
What should you do if you encounter a baby animal alone in the wild?
Leave it alone; the mother is likely nearby and may return once it’s safe.
True or False: You should always pick up any natural materials you find on the trail, like rocks or flowers.
False. It's important to leave natural objects where they are to preserve the environment for others and protect ecosystems.
True or False: All plastic items can be recycled.
False. Not all plastics are recyclable, as different plastics have different recycling processes, and some cannot be processed by local recycling centers.
True or False: It’s okay to leave your campfire unattended while you’re hiking.
False. Always keep an eye on a campfire, even if you plan to step away, and ensure it’s completely extinguished before leaving.
True or False: Biodegradable soap is safe to use in lakes and rivers.
False. While biodegradable soap is less harmful, it should still be used away from water sources to avoid contaminating natural habitats.
Name one reason why staying quiet and calm is important when observing wildlife.
Staying quiet minimizes stress for animals and allows you to observe them without disturbing their natural behavior.
What should you do if you find trash on a trail during a hike?
Pick it up and pack it out, even if it’s not your trash.
Why is it important to rinse recyclables like bottles and cans before placing them in the recycling bin?
Rinsing recyclables removes food residue, preventing contamination, and ensuring the materials can be properly processed.
Why is it important to camp at least 200 feet from lakes or streams?
This helps protect the water quality by reducing erosion and limiting contamination from human activity, ensuring clean water for wildlife and future campers.
What is the benefit of using a camp stove over a traditional campfire?
A camp stove uses less fuel and has a smaller environmental impact compared to building a traditional campfire, which can damage soil and contribute to air pollution
Why is it important to keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially large animals?
Getting too close can be dangerous for both humans and animals, and close contact can provoke animals or make them feel threatened.
Why is it important to stay on designated trails during a hike or while camping?
Staying on trails prevents soil erosion, protects fragile plants, and helps keep wildlife habitats undisturbed.
What is the environmental impact of not recycling electronic waste (e-waste)?
E-waste can release harmful chemicals into the environment, including lead and mercury, when not disposed of properly. Recycling e-waste prevents these toxins from polluting soil and water and allows valuable materials like metals to be reused.
What should you do if you need to go off-trail while hiking to use the restroom?
Go at least 200 feet away from the trail, water sources, and campsites, and bury waste in a small hole to avoid polluting the area.
How does choosing eco-friendly camping gear, like solar-powered lights or non-toxic cookware, contribute to Leave No Trace principles?
Eco-friendly gear minimizes waste, reduces reliance on non-renewable resources, and reduces harmful environmental impacts, aligning with Leave No Trace by promoting sustainability.
Name two potential consequences of feeding human food to wildlife.
It can make animals dependent on humans for food, alter their natural diets (which can make them sick), and encourage them to approach people, leading to conflicts or risks for both the animals and humans.
Be clean in my outdoor manners, be careful with fire, be considerate in the outdoors, be conservation-minded.
What is “downcycling,” and how does it differ from recycling?
Downcycling is the process of converting materials into lower-quality products, while recycling typically involves reprocessing materials into new products of the same or higher quality.
What is the "golden rule" of camping, and how does it apply to your behavior around campsites and fellow campers? (hint: treat others...)
The "golden rule" of camping is to treat others as you would like to be treated. This means keeping noise levels low, respecting others’ space, sharing resources, and being considerate of fellow campers’ enjoyment of the outdoors.
What are the environmental advantages of using a reusable food container instead of single-use plastic packaging when camping?
Reusable containers reduce waste, cut down on plastic pollution, and decrease the need for packaging, which helps conserve resources and protect ecosystems.