Furthering “Leave No Trace”– What I Prefer to Say as an Educator

You’ve definitely heard the saying “Leave No Trace”– perhaps you’ve heard it as a young scout, at summer camp, or on a nature walk with Porcupine Pat. It’s a popular, catchy slogan that gets its point across: respect and avoid disturbing nature. But why and when did we start saying it?

The United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service noticed a huge issue by the 1970s: We were “loving our land to death.” Visits to National Parks nearly tripled from the 50s to the 70s, and visits to National Forests exploded. Both the public land and its workers felt the impact. 

The United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service grouped together to develop low impact hiking and camping practices for the public. They published their recommendations in pamphlets titled “wilderness manners” which turned to “wilderness ethics” and eventually evolved to the popular  “Leave No Trace Land Ethics” in 1987. 

This name, as well as its practices resonated with the public. Less than a decade later, land management agencies and industry members met at our country’s capital to form the independent Leave No Trace Inc. in 1994. 

Leave No Trace outlined seven principles to minimize human impact on ecosystems, plants, animals, and other people:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. No Fires Allowed
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

As an educator, I agree with the importance of the “Leave No Trace” principles. Ignoring or breaking these principles not only endangers ecosystems, but could put you at risk of harm. Being unprepared could leave you dehydrated and lost. Improperly disposing of your waste could bring critters closer to your camping than comfortable, and if you were to further disrespect wildlife, you could be in danger of an attack. Though implied in the principles, I feel like an explicit 8th is missing: Leave an area better than you found it.

I prefer to say–”Leave a Positive Trace.” I don’t believe in abandoning or disregarding the important work of the “Leave no Trace” movement. After all, it was so powerful and functional that an organization was born from the saying. However, I believe in furthering the message we’ve been exclaiming for generations.

The statement “Leave a Positive Trace” encapsulates the assumptions and principles of “Leave No Trace” while adding an extra responsibility to be active in shaping your local nature areas for the better. If you see litter on the trail, pick it up. If you notice a tall, man-made rock stack near a pond, put the rocks back where they belong. More actively, if your local nature center or park is hosting a clean up or invasive plant removal, consider lending a hand! All of these actions help to not only maintain your local natural areas, but improve them. This Spring, try leaving a positive trace.

About the author: “Hemlock” Hannah Kulbitsky is the full time Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District. She provides environmental programs to the public and handles outreach like the district social media. Hannah is a Skook native and holds a double B.A. in Sustainability Studies and Theater from Muhlenberg College.

Follow the Schuylkill Conservation District @schuylkillcd on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more, and go to schuylkillcd.com for our seasonal newsletter.

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