Leave No Trace

What about the Boy Scouts?

Kids out of controlWay too much noiseGroup sizes way too bigCamping skills badly out of dateInappropriate play damages the backcountryDon't keep appointments to do service workCompletely soak up popular campsites or sheltersUnskilled campers using areas that call for expert skillsUsing inappropriate areas (hi-use, fragile) to train new campers

and on and on...

In our U.S. wildlands alone:

• 1965 - 4 million visitor-days per year

• 2000 - 20 million

This is up 400 % !

Has anything changed? ( 1 of 2 )

Annual mountain-bike rides in Moab, UT area:

• 1965 - Zero

• 2000 - 1,000,000+% ?

94.5 %

Has anything changed? ( 2 of 2 )

• Declining recreation maintenance budgets

• 90/10 phenomenon

Murphy's Law in action:

of all Americans recreate in the outdoors

each year !

A sense of scale ( 1 of 3 )

50,000+ Troops/Teams & 17,000+ Crews

enjoy

300,000+ weekend trips (unit size)

10,000+ weekend multi-group encampments (20+ units)

5,000+ week-long trips (unit size)

1,000+ week-long multi-group encampments (20+ units)

Over 15 million user days!

Estimated annual outdoor use

by BSA

on public/private recreation lands:

A sense of scale ( 2 of 3 )

15,000,000 +

A sense of scale ( 3 of 3 )

Contamination

How do we do the damage? ( 1 of 6 )

• Damages ecosystem

• Harms humans

• Ruins visit

(trash, garbage, human waste, toxins, etc.)

How do we do the damage? ( 2 of 6 )

Compaction

• Organic soil is alive!

• Sterile cement

• “Mechanical” damage

• Extended recovery (if ever!)

How do we do the damage? ( 3 of 6 )

Campfires

• Sterilize soil

• Fire stains & nubbins

• Ecosystem zapper

• Universal garbage can

How do we do the damage? ( 4 of 6 )

Change

• Build structures

• Dig in soil

• Careless damage

How do we do the damage? ( 5 of 6 )

Crowding

• Seriously affects critters

• We are critters, too!

How do we do the damage? ( 6 of 6 )

The five “ C’s ”

• Compaction

• Campfires

• Change

• Crowding

• Contamination

Why should we bother? ( 1 of 3 )

Wildlands are examples of healthy ecology at work

Symbol to man of the natural world

Biodiversity

PleasureScouting

is designed such that outdoor use is a vital Method

of bringing the Aims to our Scouts

Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac (1949)

A thing is right

when it tends to preserve

the integrity, stability, and beauty

of the biotic community.

It is wrong when it tends otherwise.

Why should we bother? ( 2 of 3 )

to live as carefully as possible”

Why should we bother? ( 3 of 3 )

Knud Rasmussen - Arctic Explorer (1879-1933)

“…we human beings know

so very little of life and its controlling forces

that we have an imperative duty…,

Simple R for LNTx

Learn how our actions can harm the backcountry

Don’t be a wuss - help fellow outdoor enthusiasts join in!

Go do it ( or don’t do it, as the case may be... )

Decide to do as little harm as possible

Learn ways to minimize damage

Over 20 million outdoor folks!

BSA has the opportunity

right now

to quickly influence the LNT behaviors of:

More sense of scale

Principles and Practices

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

Now we can start the detail planning!

Learn about our group’s capabilities

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Start Learning about Leave No Trace

Learn about our target ecosystem(s)

Learn about our intended backcountry use

Leave No Trace Awareness Award

Scout Requirements 1. Recite and explain the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). 2. On three separate camping/backpacking trips demonstrate and practice the principles of LNT. 3. Earn the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. 4. Participate in a LNT- related service project. 5. Give a 10-minute presentation on a LNT topic approved by your Scoutmaster. 6. Draw a poster or build a model to demonstrate the differences in how we camp or travel in high-use and pristine areas.

Scouter Requirements 1. Recite and explain the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). 2. On three separate camping/backpacking trips demonstrate and practice the principles of LNT. 3. Share with another Scout leader your understanding and knowledge of the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. 4. Actively assist (training, advice, and general supervision) a Scout in planning, organizing, and leading a service project related to Leave No Trace. 5. Assist a minimum of three Scouts in earning the LNT Awareness Award. 6. Plan and conduct a LNT awareness for Scouts, Scouters, or an interested group outside Scouting.

As more people use parks and recreation facilities, LEAVE NOTRACE ® guidelines become even more important for outdoorvisitors.

Leave No Trace i s a plan that helps people to be more concernedabout their environment and to help them protect it for futuregenerations. Leave No Trace applies in a backyard or local park(frontcountry) as much as it does in the wilderness (backcountry).

We should practice Leave No Trace in our attitude andactions—wherever we go.

Understanding nature strengthens our respect toward theenvironment. One person with thoughtless behavior or one shortcuton a trail can spoil the outdoor experience for others.

Help protect the environment by remembering that while you arethere, you are a visitor. When you visit the outdoors, take specialcare of the area. Leave everything just as you find it.

Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of a considerateoutdoorsman who cares for the environment. Travel lightly on theland.

Six Leave No Trace Guidelines for Cub Scouts

1

Watch for hazards and follow all the rules of the park oroutdoor facility. Remember proper clothing, sunscreen,hats, first aid kits, and plenty of drinking water. Use thebuddy system. Make sure you carry your family’s name,phone number, and address.

2

Stay on marked trails whenever possible. Short-cuttingtrails causes the soil to wear away or to be packed, whicheventually kills trees and other vegetation. Trampledwild flowers and vegetation take years to recover. Stick totrails!

3

Managing your pet will keep people, dogs, livestock andwildli fe from feeling threatened. Make sure your pet is on aleash or controlled at all times. Do not let your petapproach or chase wildlife. When animals are chased ordisturbed, they change eating patterns and use moreenergy that may result in poor health or death.

Take care of your pet’s waste. Take a small shovel orscoop and a pick-up bag to pick up your pet's waste--wherever it's left. Place the waste bags in a trash can fordisposal.

4

When visiting any outdoor area, try to leave it the same asyou find it. The less impact we each make, the longer wewill enjoy what we have. Even picking flowers deniesothers the opportunity to see them and reduces seeds,which means fewer plants next year.

Use established restrooms. Graffiti and vandalism have noplace anywhere, and they spoil the experience for others.Leave your mark by doing an approved conservationproject.

5

Expect to meet other visitors. Be courteous and makeroom for others. Control your speed when biking orrunning. Pass with care and let others know before youpass. Avoid disturbing others by making noise or playingloud music.

Respect “No Trespassing” signs. If property boundaries areunclear, do not enter the area.

6

Make sure all trash is put in a bag or trash receptacle.Trash is unsightly and ruins everyone's outdoor experience.Your trash can kill wildlife. Even materials, such as orangepeels, apple cores and food scraps, take years to breakdown and may attract unwanted pests that could become aproblem.

Want to do more? Take the Pledge!You can take the pledge to practice the Leave No Trace

frontcountry guidelines wherever you go. Just review the

guidelines once more and sign the pledge. Carry it with

you as a reminder of your promise.

The Leave No Trace Pledge

I promise to practice the Leave No Tracefrontcountry guidelines wherever I go:

1. Plan ahead.2. Stick to trails.3. Manage your pet.4. Leave what you find.5. Respect other visitors.6. Trash your trash.

Signed: _____________________________

1. Discuss with your Cub Scouts or Cub Scout leaders the importance of the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines.2. On three separate outings demonstrate and practice the frontcountry guidelines of Leave No Trace.3. Participate in presenting a den, pack, district or council awareness session on Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines.4. Participate in a Leave No Trace related service project.5. Commit yourself to the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines by signing the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Pledge.6. Assist with at least three boys in earning Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award.

Cub Scout Leader Patches are available through your local Council BSA# 08797Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, Webelos Scout

1. Discuss with your leader or parent/guardian the importance of the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines.

2. On three separate outings practice the frontcountry guidelines of Leave No Trace.

3. For boys in a Tiger Cub den, complete the activities for Achievement #5 Let’s Go Outdoors ; boys in a Wolf den, complete Requirement #7 Your Living World ; boys in a Bear den, complete Requirement #12 Family Outdoor Adventures ; boys in a Webelos Scout den, earn the Outdoorsman badge .

4. Participate in a Leave No Trace related service project.5. Promise to practice the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines by signing the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Pledge.6. Draw a poster to illustrate the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines and display it at a pack meeting.

Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award

(800)332-4100

http://www.lnt.org

email: charliethorpe@att.net

LNT - Information & Materials

Can we still do good Scouting within LNT ?

Is there a place for the Pioneering Merit Badge?

How about “Grand Old Duke of York” campfires?

Should the location for “Hi-Adventure” be age-appropriate?

Can we do “mass gatherings” in the backcountry?

Where will we take the new Scouts to teach them how to camp?

What other good questions should we add to the list....?

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Good Prep = Good Outing

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 1 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 2 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear)

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 3 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 4 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude =

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 5 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude = (goals + fun)

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 6 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude = (goals + fun) safety

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 7 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Additive relationship

An increase in one can make up for a decrease in the other.Either side could zero out andstill allow a passable outing.

Additive relationship

An increase in one can make up for a decrease in the other.Either side could zero out andstill allow a passable outing.

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude = (goals + fun) safety

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 8 of 9 )

When it comes to outings, we all know that

Said another way:

Additive relationship

An increase in one can make up for a decrease in the other.Either side could zero out andstill allow a passable outing.

Multiplicative relationship

A "zero" in attitude can kill any outing!

Additive relationship

An increase in one can make up for a decrease in the other.Either side could zero out andstill allow a passable outing.

Multiplicative relationship

A "zero" in safety can kill any outing!

Good Prep = Good Outing

(skills + gear) attitude = (goals + fun) safety

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 9 of 9 )

Choosing Equipment ( 1 of 5 )

• Destination backpacking- climbing, caving- hunting, fishing- photography- nature study, exploring

• Thru-hiking

Choosing Equipment ( 2 of 5 )

• Individual personal gear for everything

• Group gear for everything

• Individual gear for very personal items only and group gear for as much as possible

• Individual gear for most items and group gear for a few major ones

Choosing Equipment ( 3 of 5 )

• Heavy duty

• ”Normal”

• Lightweight

• Ultralite

Choosing Equipment ( 4 of 5 )

• Store bought

• Home made

Choosing Equipment ( 5 of 5 )

• Individual purchase

• Group buy

Team System Backpacking

• Divide up all the “work”

• Real responsibilities

• Adults focus on youth

• It is everybody’s trek!

Leave No Trace

Could it be the best thing to happen to Scouting

in the last five years?

A "Scouting" introduction to LNT

Meet in front of Maxwell "B" - 7pm Thursday

Everyone who is interested in our Scouting "outdoor method" is invited!

Presented by Charlie Thorpe - "Conservation USA" conference faculty