The other day as my family and I were out shopping my 2 year old came across some trash and picked it up. I took this opportunity to teach him the importance of putting trash in the garbage can. He loved doing it and was looking for more as we were shopping. If only we all could get so excited about picking up after others and ourselves. I think it is important that we start teaching our kids at a young age the Leave No Trace Principles. I have always tried to make it a point to pick up trash at climbing areas or hikes that I have been on. We finally started to carry a couple extra trash bags in the car so we had some place to put the trash we had gathered. Living the Leave No Trace Principles is not really that hard of a thing to do. There are 7 principles to follow:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
I know that it is easier to take the shortcut, instead of staying on the cement sidewalks. But, by staying on the sidewalk we will not help create a new path or should I say dirt path through the lawn or flower bed. Taking the long way is one easy way to start following some of these principles.
Leave No Trace is an national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or climb.