October 20, 2009, 3:01 pm
There is an old saying popular with park rangers and campers –
“take only pictures and leave only footprints” when you are enjoying the
great outdoors. While many subscribe to this philosophy, it isn’t always
obvious how to make the right low-impact choices when you’re far from roads
and established campgrounds. The National Park Service’s (NPS)
Leave NoTrace video is a great place for campers to learn where to pitch a tent and
how to cook in wilderness so that no one will know you were there. It even
covers what do to – ahem – when Mother Nature calls.
The 9½ minute video, on-line for the first time, addresses the importance
of taking a personal role in preserving the outdoor experience for future
generations. It provides a vivid and adventurous display of outdoor
scenery, showcasing wild animals, breathtaking scenery, and presents how
people can incorporate Leave No Trace principles when they are outdoors.
“We hope the video inspires people to take a wilderness trip,” said
Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. “The more people
know about making the right choices while camping and enjoying the
backcountry, the better we can protect these special places for future
generations of hikers and campers.”
Copies are now available for individuals, colleges, universities, summer
camps, and groups through the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in
Boulder, Colorado. To obtain a free copy of the DVD, please visit
www.LNT.org, or call (800) 332-4100 (shipping and handling charges will
apply).
