We all need to play our own part in protecting the environment! These seven tips go a long way to conserve the outdoors, even if they seem simple.
1. Plan ahead & prepare - The best way to avoid a bad outdoor experience is to be prepared beforehand. Plan your trip around the weather and make sure you have the right gear for where you’re going. Know where you’re sleeping and pay attention to rules specific to the area you’re visiting.
2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces - Don’t wander off-trail or in restricted areas to avoid causing any damage to preserved land. When setting up for the night, make sure you are in an area that is approved for camping to avoid any issues.
3. Dispose of waste properly - Everything you bring with you on the trip should return back home with you. Make sure not to leave any food or garbage behind that may be harmful to wildlife, and be aware of how to safely use the bathroom outside if you don’t have access to one.
4. Be considerate of other visitors - Nobody wants to be disturbed by loud music or bright lights during their outdoor escape – be mindful of who is around you and how you’re impacting them. Give all visitors the same opportunity you had, don’t block lookout points or crowd areas that other people are trying to access.
5. Minimize campfire impacts - It’s easy for a small campfire to get out of control, even if you’re being careful. It’s always best to use an abundance of caution when building any kind of fire and make sure the fire is completely extinguished when you’re done. Wildfires have been started by small, controlled fires, and you don’t want to be the one responsible for that!
6. Leave what you find - As tempting as it can be to bring home a bouquet of hand-picked flowers or collect colorful rocks, it’s best to leave everything where you found it. Even something that seems small could end up having a much larger impact on the environment, so an abundance of caution is always best.
7. Respect wildlife - Never approach or feed a wild animal, it’s not good for the wildlife and it could be extremely dangerous for you! Feeding animals food that they would not naturally eat can be very harmful on their health and you never know how they will react to a human coming up to them. They’re called “wild” animals for a reason; they can’t be controlled.