GET OUTDOORS! That’s it, that’s the Message

STORY BY PATTI VIPOND PHOTOS BY NATE SMITH

Outdoor enthusiasts posting photos and videos on Instagram and Facebook of their camping and hiking adventures are inspiring folks to leave their computers and pick up a paddle. Or maybe rent a tent, or simply pack a camera and head out to experience the beauties of the natural world.

Nate Smith, manager of Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville, knows well the close ties between social media and the great outdoors. Via his @natemuskoka Instagram account, Smith posts gorgeous photos and backcountry videos that extol “life outdoors on the border of Muskoka and Algonquin Park.”

“I want people to see this side of Muskoka, the natural beauty that is still there and is so precious,” says Smith, who was born and raised in Bracebridge and has lived in Huntsville for 18 years. “It needs to be preserved and also enjoyed by people. With my personal Instagram, I try to impart good practices for people using the outdoors. I also try to be fairly vague about my locations.”

Proof of this is Smith’s videos. He identifies being on Crown land but doesn’t specify his whereabouts. Smith notes not everyone treats those areas with respect.

“While someone may have the best of intentions, the person they are going with might not,” explains Smith. “For instance, despite good intentions about leaving things at a campsite for the next campers, you should take everything with you. The classic example in the camping world is grills. Everyone packs in a grill. The grill becomes sooty and dirty. So, they say I’ll just leave this grill here for the next person and hangs it on the tree next to the dozen other grills. The general rule, especially on Crown land, is if you bring it in with you take it out.”

Though social media content effectively entices people outdoors, it can also turn destinations into a crowd scene. With repeated postings, a hidden treasure can become a garbage-strewn selfie prop.

“As with anything on social media, you have to take the good with the bad,” says Smith. “Social media is great for imparting safety tips, reviews and pertinent information for visitors to an area. But it also raises the spectre of overuse or high pressure on an area. Unfortunately, it’s tough to have one without the other. Do the best you can to share the right information so visitors know how they should act in and treat that area.”

New and seasoned outdoors enthusiasts may not know the ‘Leave No Trace Principles’ designed to help people become environmental stewards.

“People generally understand they shouldn’t litter but have different ideas about what litter is,” Smith says. “For instance, should I leave a diaper in the thunderbox? Not a good idea. Should I burn my garbage? Again, not a good idea. Neither is great for the campsite or the area. Pack it out.”

For those posting outdoor content, the hope is it’s the best way to get people to appreciate and care about the environment. The vast majority share responsibly, but there’s always room for improvement. An example is the use of drones to create content.

“When people see drone content of the wilderness, they assume they can use a drone next time they go to Algonquin Park,” says Smith. “It’s illegal to use a drone in a provincial park. There’s up to a $25,000 fine. It’s tough because on Instagram you’ll see someone’s really cool drone shots taken in a forest somewhere. That person many be on private property or Crown land but it could be assumed it’s something you can do in a provincial park.”

An amateur photographer at 12 years old, Smith combines a love of taking photos with his love of the outdoors. He finds the pleasure of backcountry camping and canoeing relieves stress.

“The pandemic has made us realize the importance of access to and enjoyment of the outdoors,” he says. “It’s so important to our mental health as individuals and as a society.”