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BY JERRICA ARCHIBALD

UTAH HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER EVERYONE WHO LIKES TO GET OUTSIDE. From casual campers to hardcore adrenaline junkies, there are nearly unlimited places to explore and play. This is no exception for off-roaders. There are miles of off-roading trails throughout the state; the hard part is choosing where to go.

But as off-roading grows in popularity and machines like ATVs and UTVs are more prevalent on these trails, it’s important to remember how to tread lightly and why it’s important to stay on the trail, follow signs, and leave these trails better than you found them.

Tread Lightly! is more than just a phrase, it’s a national nonprofit based in Centerville, Utah that educates outdoor enthusiasts about how to minimize their impact outdoors and hosts public land stewardship projects to improve trails, parks, and forests. Overuse, abuse, and damage lead to trail closures. No matter what kind of outdoor activities you enjoy, there is the potential to impact the land and resources negatively. To help maintain access and keep public lands healthy and beautiful, outdoor recreationists need to approach their favorite trails with a sense of respect and responsibility.

Respect for public land comes in many different forms. Not only should you take care of the resources you recreate on, but also be conscientious and courteous to those who are sharing the trail, might be at the campsite you’re using next, and the land managers who maintain public land.

So, what are some ways you can be respectful when riding an off-road vehicle? Firstly, leave the area better than you found it. Bring a trash bag on the trail to help pack out any trash you might find. Stay on designated

Not only should you respect the land you’re on, but also the people you may encounter. If crossing private property, always get permission from landowners and leave gates as you found them. Be conscientious of noise in populous areas like campsites and neighborhoods. Always yield to those passing you or going uphill and be courteous to other trail users and land managers.

We all have a shared stake and responsibility in taking care of our public land for current and future generations to use and enjoy. If every person who enjoys the outdoors commits to doing their part and giving back to the land they use, it could make a big difference.

There are many ways to be responsible when offroading. Even campers, hikers and fishermen sometimes take a dirt trail in their vehicle to get to a trailhead or water shore. When on the trail, remember to travel responsibly and know what areas are open to your mode of transportation. Before you head out, check out the land management website or maps to know what trails are designated for your type of recreation.

Remember, motorized and mechanized vehicles aren’t allowed in designated Wilderness Areas. Other sensitive areas to be aware of are meadows, lake shores, wetlands, and streams. By staying on the trail, you avoid negatively impacting these resources. Also be aware of historical, archaeological, and paleontological sites, and leave these areas undisturbed and as you found them.

Doing your part can be a small act of throwing away trash you found on the trail, supporting organizations that keep trails open and healthy, or volunteering for a local trail restoration project. Help leave areas better than you found them by doing your part. This means packing out all trash you brought in and trash left by others, observing fire restrictions, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and even repairing degraded areas.

If every trail user takes the time to learn how to be respectful and responsible, it can make a huge difference to our public land and trails, including future outdoor enthusiasts. Along with stewardship projects and free online courses for adults, Tread Lightly! also offers a myriad of kid’s activities through the TL! Kids Program (treadlightly.org/campaigns/tl-kids/) that introduce responsible outdoor recreation concepts to children with the help of Lightfoot the squirrel and his friends Claude and Jane.

Through Tread Lightly!’s free Kids Youth Online Course (Tread-lightly.teachable.com) parents can introduce elementary-school-age kids to the T.R.E.A.D. Pledge, a simple acronym that helps children remember the key principles for being responsible and staying safe outdoors: - Travel on trails - Respect animals, plants, and people - Educate yourself; be safe and be prepared - Always be careful with fire - Do your part

After the course is completed, participants will get a certificate they can print and color at home to show off that they’re officially a TL! Kid.

Visit treadlightly.org to find kid’s activities, upcoming volunteer projects, and to learn about how to off-road responsibly and get outside with minimal impact.