Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints

Imagine that you've been invited to a friend's home for a dinner party one evening. Some of the questions that may go through you head are, What am I going to wear? What can I bring to help the host? Where exactly do they live? I wonder what their house is like? Who else will be at the party?

Now, these are all questions pertaining to visiting your friend's house, but we are going to relate this situation to the guidelines for the next time you are out visiting with Mother Nature. Some of you may be familiar with the term LEAVE NO TRACE, but let's dive in a little deeper for a closer look on what exactly this means and what steps you can take to be a respectful guest.

Leave No Trace is a set of guidelines on how to best preserve our natural world, and they should be used whenever you and your family are enjoying the outdoors. I love the quote, "Take only pictures, leave only footprints...." To me, this sums up the principles of leave no trace in just a few words. Every single thing that we do in life is going to impact our natural world. It's up to us to start making smarter decisions, especially when we participate in outdoor recreation.

1. Plan ahead and prepare.

You wouldn't just get in your car and start driving around in hopes that you'd find that dinner party we mentioned earlier, right? You'd ask for the details ahead of time. Depending on the type of activity you are going to participate in, you need to do a little research before you head out for your next adventure. If you're camping, are there any restrictions on fire usage? (We had MANY fire restrictions in Arizona last summer, due to lack of rain. My husband and I drove two hours to a trail head, only to find that EVEN HIKING had been banned in the area until fire restrictions were lifted!! A little bit of research would have gone a long way for us.)

Many areas require permits for hiking, camping, kayaking, ect. Know before you go. Many times you'll need to purchase a pass or permit at an offsite location well before you arrive, as most places do not sell passes on site. Other than with your very closest friends, you wouldn't show up unannounced at someone's home with out an invitation. Imagine that park pass is just that. It's your invitation to go out and have a great time with your family!

Planning ahead keeps your family safe and minimizes risk to you and nature. With the internet at our fingertips, we have an abundance of resources that provide all (or most) of the information that you need in order to have a safe and successful trip! Imagine packing up your car for that family camping trip with food you've planned to cook over an open flame all weekend, and after arriving at your campsite you find that there is a fire ban on the area.... looks like no one is getting s'mores this weekend.... Bummer!

Save yourself the grief by doing a little research on the area ahead of time. Please don't ignore the rules by setting up a fire anyway. This is how forest fires get started and destroy hundreds of acres of land, forcing animals and insects into areas that they wouldn't normally go. Not to mention, you could take out a whole area that other families were planning to visit and ruin an adventure for them.

If the host our our said dinner party asked guests to smoke outside, would you light up right there in their living room? Would you throw your cigarette down inside of their house, potentially starting a fire and forcing the host out of his or her home? Probably not.

2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces

Every foot step that you take in nature will have some sort of effect. The key to helping Leave No Trace, is to stay on trails and set up camp where you will minimize your impact on the environment.

"When you stay on the marked trails, you help preserve these beautiful areas for future generations to appreciate."

If you do plan to get off trail for some exploring (or maybe in search of privacy to go the bathroom), consider the surface you are traveling on. Often rocks and gravel are most durable surfaces that can handle the foot traffic with little disturbance. However, in the back country that isn't always an option. If in a group, spread out a bit so that you don't create another trail that other visitors will be tempted to hike on as well. Dryer plants seem to absorb less impact than the newer, greener brush.

We were exploring around Joshua Tree one day and among the boulders we found a small patch of green grass right in the middle of nowhere. Evidence showed that a pack of animals had used it for their sleeping quarters recently. Had that grassy area been trampled by park visitors, those animals may not have had a comfortable place to set up their "camp". After all, let's not forget, we are visitors in their home.

Set up on hard durable surfaces that look like they may have already been camped on. If camping in the back country, try to avoid setting up on vegetated areas, as you will likely be destroying a food source for wildlife, therefore increasing your impact!

When possible, make sure to set up your camp 200 feet from the nearest water source so that animals may still feel safe enough to grab a much needed drink. If our dinner party was happening in the main area of the house in the living or dining area, would you wander off into the home owners master suite and take a look around? Maybe go through their closet and try something on? Would you sit back and prop your dirty shoes up on the couch where their family lays? Would you go to the bathroom in their back yard? I hope not.

3. Dispose of waste properly

This principle is the one that I probably feel the most passionate about and is the fuel behind me getting this article put together. Reason being, because I think it is one of the easiest to follow, but is the most widely abused by people in the outdoors. We often hear the phrase, "PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT". It's a few simple words strung together which are a great reminder that for whatever you take IN to nature, you need to take right back OUT. (Remember, leave only footprints...)

When I was a teenager I was at a friend's house with a group of girls for the afternoon and one of the gals had left her plate of half eaten food, napkin, and dirty silver wear in a mess on the table as we were hurrying off to go do whatever teenage girls did in the late 90's. I will never forget what the mother of the house yelled as we were scurrying off to go practice doing our make up and talk about boys.

"Your Mama don't live here, so come back and clean this up!!!"

Even as a teen, that comment totally resonated with me, though it wasn't directed at me at all. I remember wondering why my friend thought it would be okay to just leave her trash for some one else to pick up...secretly I loved the sarcastic (and true) response she got from the mother of the household. It seemed like such an obvious concept. Clean up after yo'self. But apparently, it wasn't as obvious to my friend, just as it's not quite as obvious to many outdoor rec users now a days.

Let's go back to our dinner party.... Would you walk around throwing food scraps on the host's floor? Leave a used tissue on the counter? Or bypass a spilled drink for someone else to wipe up?

I'll be the first to raise her hand and admit that I used to be one of those people who threw orange rinds, apple cores, and banana peels on the ground, because.... It's biodegradable, right? The nutrients will help the soil, right? It came from nature, so it must be okay to leave it back where it came from, right? WRONG! Even natural litter is litter..... and those fruits sure as hell didn't come from the suburbs of northern Kentucky. It can take an apple core 6 months to break down and banana peel up to 2 years to decompose fully!

I'm surely not shaming you if you are currently one of those people.Remember, I was too, and not that long ago! However, if you read this and STILL continue that behavior, then definitely shame on you. I was ignorant, and while ignorance is not an excuse, I believe strongly on educating and bringing awareness to the impact our ignorance has on our one and only earth. Don't believe that throwing those citrus peels and fruit cores could make THAT much of an impact? With such a large palm in the photo below, it looks like we are traveling through some sort of tropical landscape. Would you believe it if I told you this photo was taken in the middle of a canyon in the desert? This picture was taken from our recent trip to Havasupai Falls, in the Grand Canyon. That gigantic date palm is a result of a hiker in the 70's throwing date seeds on the ground almost 50 years ago. Still don't think throwing food scraps on the ground could make that much of impact???

Plain and simple, if it wasn't there when you got there, it shouldn't be there when you leave. We always take small grocery bags on our hikes to pack our garbage out in and often we are picking up what others have left behind who were there before us.

If only those fellow hikers could hear my friend's mom, "Your mama don't live here!"

Take in to consideration how you feel when you see trash left outside in the area that you have taken your family to explore. It lets you know others have been there. Others who got to see nature in it's pure state, and left their own garbage for you to look at. Super inconsiderate, right?

Don't be those people....

Now, let's talk about when you're "Nature Calls". If a restroom is available, please use those when possible. On the trail, you won't always have that luxury, especially when exploring more remote areas. If you find that you need to urinate, know that urine doesn't have a huge negative impact on the environment. It's best if you can find some rocks, pine needles, or gravel to relieve yourself on. Even better when you can pour a little water over and dilute the urine. So, what do you do when ya gotta go number 2!? First thing you'll want to do is find an inconspicuous spot away from the trail or campsite, making sure that you are at least 200 feet (or about 75 adult steps) away from any water sources. -No one wants to swim in poop water, am I right?....the bacteria and viruses in human feces can contaminate the water with Hepatitis, Salmonella, Giardia, and other intestinal diseases. I think I'll pass on the diarrhea, painful abdominal cramps, and vomiting, thank you! Bonus, if you can find a spot that is in direct sunlight, it will help speed up the decomposition rate.

When you have found an acceptable spot, you'll need to dig a "cat hole" about 6-8ish inches deep, do your business in the hole like Sylvester, and then cover everything back up with dirt, grass, sticks, ect. Do not bury toilet paper or wipes, as they can be dug up by animals. Instead, you'll need to pack it back out with you. You can designate a small ziplock bag, for your toilet paper. (You can surround the edges of your bag with duct tape for an extra seal Not the most glamorous way to go, but the best way to go so that you are leaving as little impact on the environment.)

If you find yourself in a narrow canyon, all solid waste needs to be packed out. Most likely, you probably aren't going to be able to take 75 steps away from the water source or where a water source will eventually come flooding through, so take that into consideration when planning your awesome adventure! (There it is, principle number 1 again-plan and prepare!)

If you need more guidance about where to "go" in the area you will be exploring, you can contact the local Land Management Agency and they can provide details and more specific instructions for you.

Ok, switch modes. We're back at the party. You've finished a delicious dinner and are about to clean up after yourself. You wouldn't consider taking your dishes to the pool in the back yard and cleaning them in there, would you? So let's not wash dirty camp dishes in nature's beautiful "pools". Same rule applies to taking your dishes away from the water source as when going to the bathroom. You'll want to carry a jug or basin of water 200 feet away from your water source, and strain any food scraps after cleaning your dishes. Dispose of the food scraps properly, by bagging them and carrying them out. You will want to scatter any contaminated water so that it isn't concentrated in one spot when you dispose of it. This was something my close friend taught me while we were backpacking in Havasupai a few weeks ago, after I couldn't finish my hot chocolate. I should have diluted what little I had left with some water before I scattered it, but now I know for next time! See? We are ALL always learning new ways of how we can better protect our natural environment.

4.) Leave what you find

This is probably the principle that I struggle with the most.

How many of you had a rock collection when you were younger? I know you can't see me right now, but I'm raising my hand. I LOVED my rock collection. I kept my treasures hidden away in a small box under my dresser and would pull it out periodically and admire all of the beautiful shapes and colors. Some sparkled, some were smooth, others had unique markings around their edges. I'm torn inside. Not because I still have that awesome rock collection and want to keep adding to it, but because I have a kid of my own who also loves to collect nature. His vice is actually sticks. The boy loves his sticks! Until recently, I've let him collect a few here and there and bring them home for his collection. I want him to connect with nature and fall in love with it in a way that is approachable for him. I want him to grow up with a sense of pride for where we get to explore and visit, and ultimately I want him to grow up protecting our lands and educating others on how we can do better. Now that he's starting to get a little older and I'm gaining deeper awareness and appreciation of why we should Leave No Trace, I've started those hard conversations with him on why he shouldn't take those sticks and how his decision will effect our environment, as well as the next kiddo who may want a cool stick to play with when visiting with his/her family. When I take other families and their kids who are newer to the outdoors, inevitably someone picks a flower for me. My heart gushes because we've all been taught that giving flowers as a gift is a sweet gesture. But at the same time, my heart hurts because I'm seeing the future effects, even with something as small as picking one single flower. It may not sound like very much, but what if every single kid out there picked one flower though? I show my appreciation for their kindness, because Lord knows we need more of that in the world today more than ever. As we continue through our explorations, I try to plant seeds (no pun intended!) about other ways these kiddos can protect our environment without crushing their spirits. Keep in mind that it is illegal to take anything from inside our National Parks, as well as removing something from an archaeological or historic site found on public lands, such as pieces of pottery or an arrowhead.

You wouldn't sneak our host's fine china or valuable jewelry in your purse or pocket and take them as if they belonged to you, would you?

5.) Minimize Campfire Impacts

"Only you can prevent forest fires!"- Smokey The Bear

In 2018, Arizona had almost 69,000 beautiful acres of land burned to a crisp due to the 724 fires caused by people using fire irresponsibly. Last summer, we had to endure a lot of fires here in Arizona (it was a particularly dry year), which in turn led to major fire restrictions for campers and backpackers. Not only were campers and backpackers effected, but hikers as well. Many trails were closed completely and it made it a frustrating summer for those who wanted to escape the valley heat and head north for cooler temps.

When building a fire, there are a few things that you can do to minimize your impact on the environment. First and foremost, check to make sure there are NO fire restrictions in the area that you are going to be exploring. When collecting firewood, take into consideration whether the area can support you and others removing those resources. Is there enough wood that you won't make much of an impact? Or is wood scarce and removing it for your fire will take years and years to re-coop? Collect dead wood first from a wide area, as it burns easily. Standing, and even fallen trees are still home and protection to lots of little critters, so be kind and considerate when collecting your firewood. Don't bring firewood from home, either buy it locally or collect it responsibly.

If possible, it's best to find an existing fire ring to use, while keeping your fire small, only burning it as you need, and making sure to extinguish completely with water when you are finished. If a fire ring is unavailable to you, as it most likely would be in the back country, burn all wood until it's white ash, break up any coals, and scatter the ash throughout the area, just as you would with your contaminated water. Replace any soil that you may have dug up in the process of creating your own fire ring and scatter any leftover wood leaving the area looking as natural as possible. Pack out all campfire litter and if in a narrow canyon, it may even be necessary to pack out your ashes.

6.) Respect wildlife Remember, when we head to enjoy the outdoors, we are wandering through another creature's home. If our gracious host was still preparing dinner for the party, would you come into the kitchen and tower over him/her? Would you start mixing, and flipping, and seasoning the food without being asked? Hopefully, you would keep a respectful distance from the chef so that they could continue preparing the meal of food. Same respect should be given when viewing wildlife. Maintain enough distance as to not disturb them. We are in THEIR home

Do not try and get closer for a better look or to get that close up shot for Facebook or Instagram. If you do photograph wildlife, and I hope you do, use proper equipment, such as a telescopic lens, or the zoom function on your camera phone. Under no circumstances should you ever try to feed wild animals. Giving them food that is not part of their diet can mess up their digestive tract, and possibly kill them. It can also create a habit for animals to start approaching humans, which can be very unsafe for both the animal and human. It's often second nature to start yelling with excitement or try and communicate with a beautiful creature when you experience an awesome wildlife sighting. Loud noises are stressful to animals, so remain quiet and view them from a safe distance. Unless you find yourself in bear country. Making noise periodically can signal to a bear that you may be approaching and will prevent startling them. Never ever approach a bear cub, no matter how cute and tempting it may be, unless you are ok with facing the wrath of a ferocious mama bear. Much of the time, the mother has left her young so that she may go hunt for food to bring back for them. You don't want to get caught in the middle. A good rule of thumb is that where there are babies, there is sure to be a protective mama close by. Don't ever pet animals in the wild as you are potentially putting yourself and others at risk for an attack. You may have good intentions, but the animals may interpret your actions as aggressive. It's also possible that an animal could have rabies or another disease that could send you to the hospital if you or your family were to get bitten.

Give wildlife the space and respect they deserve to feel safe in their environment. Setting up camp 200 feet from water sources will not only limit possible contamination, but will allow animals enough room to feel safe when approaching the water for a drink. Animals are just as thirsty as us, and it may be one of the few places available for them to hydrate whether they are living in the area or just passing through.

7.) Be considerate of other visitors

Everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors, while maintaining consideration for fellow outdoors men/women. I'm seeing more and more people listening to loud music on the trails. I often try to distance myself from these people because personally, I love the quiet, the solitude, and hearing the beautiful sounds of nature. While you may love the latest Top 10 Rock Hits, not everyone may share your same enthusiasm. Listen at a respectful volume if you choose, or use earbuds. Just make sure that you can still hear hikers and mountain bikers that may be approaching or trying to pass. We are seeing an increase in drone use as well. While I fully support the use of technology and capturing the world from many different perspectives, the constant buzzing sound of a drone can be irritating for others who may be trying to enjoy the silence that they are seeking by immersing themselves in nature. Many parks have banned the use of drones, so please check the rules and regulations before sending that bad boy up into the air. If you are using a drone, be mindful of other visitors and how your equipment could be disturbing those around you. It all goes back to the "Golden Rule" that we all learned as kids. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

When utilizing hiking trails, make sure that you have an understanding of who gets the right of way. This is something that can make for an enjoyable and safe hike. Hikers going uphill have the right of way, although I often take a quick break, letting others pass going down so I can catch my breath, but that's the uphill hikers decision. Hikers and mountain bikers must yield to those riding horses. Although, bikers are supposed to give the right of way to hikers, that doesn't always happen. Bikers can come up fast with little warning, so it's vital to stay aware of others who may be sharing the trail.

Many people have a furry four legged hiking partner that they often hit the trails with. As a loving dog owner of 2, I know they are considered family members, but it's important to keep pups on a leash and under control as well as picking up after them and disposing of their feces properly. Fido is NOT wildlife, and should be considered a visitor just the same as us. After all, they ARE our family members, right?

Make sure to check the regulations regarding dogs in the area you are planning to visit. Dogs are banned from certain trails, camp sites, some of the back country and major parks, even if on a leash. It's important to respect the prohibition of dogs in these places as it could be a safety issue for humans and wildlife. In some instances, you may be ticketed if you decide to break the rules.

The rules are in place to assure visitors and wildlife enjoy the environment and are kept safe. And yes, the rules apply to EVERYONE.

Leave No Trace is not a set of strict rules that are meant to hinder your outdoor adventure, rather some guidelines to enhance your experience as well as the next visitor's. I hope you've learned some new ways of doing things to minimize your impact on our beautiful earth, saving it for future generations enjoy for years and years to come!

Remember friends, Don't Be Trashy.

As always, happy adventuring!