2015
ANNUAL REPORT
LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS
THE LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS THE OUTDOORS BY TEACHING PEOPLE TO ENJOY IT RESPONSIBLY . THE CENTER ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION BY DELIVERING CUTTING - EDGE EDUCATION AND THE LATEST RESEARCH FINDINGS TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY EVERY YEAR .
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TABLE of CONTENTS State of the Union Leave No Trace in Every Park Leave No Trace for Every Kid Education in Motion Research 2015 Financial Summary Members & Partners
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LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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For her sixth birthday party two years ago, my youngest daughter, Violet, decided against the traditional princess party, the pony party, and the pool party. Violet, who loves being outdoors, opted instead to wrangle her posse for a celebration in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Leave No Trace also was on her invitation list because she wanted her friends to learn a little bit about caring for the nature she so loves. At the time, I was several years into my tenure with Leave No Trace, yet the birthday celebration was a turning point for me. For the first time in almost a decade with Leave No Trace, I witnessed a group of kids engaging nature with a rugged enthusiasm and excitement as only six-year-olds can. They did this while learning that even though our surroundings were evidence of an enduring resiliency, we, as a community, are accountable to ensure that sixyear-olds for centuries to come have the same opportunity to turn over rocks, discover new bugs, and enjoy the beauty and smell of blossoming mountain flowers, all within the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountain foothills. I saw firsthand that allowing our children to experience more than a touch of nature, when sprinkled with a little Leave No Trace, can create a lasting, positive impact on a group of six-year-olds, many of whom still recall the celebration (including, of course, the cool Leave No Trace swag) with enthusiasm. By all measures, 2015 was a success for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The organization introduced and began implementing two new strategic initiatives that will influence the organization’s direction and decision-making for years to come: Leave No Trace for Every Kid and Leave No Trace in Every Park. The LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
LEAVE NO TRACE
organization's research made important advances, and volunteers and partners, like many of you, reached deep into their communities to help accelerate early, measurable outcomes for these initiatives. The future is bright. I am pleased to present the 2015 Annual Report to you, a Leave No Trace stakeholder. Your important role and advocacy continue to make the organization’s work possible, and for that, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, I extend my greatest appreciation to you for your active support. Thank you, Shawn Turner, Chair Leave No Trace Board of Directors
Shawn, his wife, Lindsay, and daughters, Maggie and Violet, will be visiting Glacier, Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone National Parks this summer as part of the national, 4th-grade, Every Kid in a Park program.
LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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The goal: that every person who visits a park has the opportunity to learn about and put Leave No Trace into action. Leave No Trace in Every Park ensures that parks continue to thrive because people understand what it means to take care of them. The Leave No Trace in Every Park initiative focuses on public lands: local to national parks, forests and protected areas. It takes many forms from research, interpretive materials, staff and volunteer training, public education initiatives and onsite signs to junior ranger programs, Leave No Trace Hot Spots, Demonstration Sites and more.
Impacts at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, a Leave No Trace 2015 Hot Spot.
LEAVE NO TRACE IN EVERY PARK FOCUS: HOT SPOTS
A key component of the Leave No Trace in Every Park initiative, Hot Spots are week-long rehabilitation and education program sites. Above: During Louisiana’s Bayou Teche Hot Spot,the Center worked with volunteers to collect 1,500 pounds of garbage, among other programs and activities that week. LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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Hot Spot Week was one of the best things that could have happened for Pinnacle Mountain State Park this year. It revived an interest in taking better care of the park, and opened so many eyes to the rogue trail issue. Beyond the programming, special events, and school visits, having people in the park who were just as passionate about leaving minimal impacts on Pinnacle Mountain as myself was extremely inspiring. You helped park staff and park visitors to realize that the park is being impacted on a daily basis, and that we all can help to reduce damage and keep Pinnacle Mountain healthy for generations. Gillian Rossi Pinnacle Mountain Park Interpreter, AR
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Leave No Trace in Every Park Focus:
HOT SPOTS IN ACTION
Cover and back photos courtesy of Mike Fleming Facebook: Mike Fleming Photography
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Leave No Trace for Every Kid is a multiyear initiative to provide Leave No Trace education for every kid who spends time outside. Formalizing Leave No Trace education for kids will ultimately improve the care and quality of our natural world. In 2015, the Center: 1. Developed a comprehensive, standardized curriculum for outdoor youth programs (camps, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girl/Boy Scouts) designed to integrate Leave No Trace principles into camp life and other programs’ cultures. 2. Furthered the Leave No Trace Youth Program Endorsement which increases the collective, positive environmental footprint through program-wide minimum impact practices. 3. Designed a youth-focused study in partnership with Penn State University, to gain an understanding of youth perceptions about Leave No Trace educational practices. The 2016 study is being conducted in conjunction with Shavers Creek Environmental Learning Center in Pennsylvania. 4. Conducted 225 onsite Leave No Trace education sessions at schools and camps across the country.
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The Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics education program is the best thing since hot running water! If you work with youth groups you should consider Leave No Trace outdoor ethics education as essential to the development of your children as learning how to build a fire. Please plan to make this ethics class a prerequisite before venturing with your group into any wilderness setting. Gregory Guidroz Bayou Vermilion District; Lafayette, LA
Education in Motion Four teams of Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers toured the country offering Leave No Trace programs and education, impacting millions of Americans in 2015.
“ It is a breath of fresh air to see the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers teaching these messages at our parks and schools. Teaching our next generation to take care of the outdoors is key in preserving our natural resources, and Leave No Trace is doing a great job!� Jeremy Velazquez Texas Parks & Wildlife, Park Interpreter
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RESEARCH
4 RESEARCH PROJECTS In 2015, the Center was at the forefront of research, with projects that support the best, most effective Leave No Trace programs and messages for parks, youth and protected areas. LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015
In 2015, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics continued to strengthen its financial health. Total revenues and contributions are on the rise for the third straight year, total spending on education programs increased 6.3% over the prior year, and the Board Designated Reserve was increased with the positive change in net assets for 2015, better positioning the organization for economic uncertainties or strategic opportunities. The organization celebrates the successes of 2015, and remains committed to laying the foundation for the future long-term success of the Leave No Trace program. The accompanying summary financial information is derived from the Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethic’s audited financial statements. The complete audited financial statements and annual tax return are available for download on our website.
Jeff Neitzel, Treasurer Leave No Trace Board of Directors
LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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2015 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Leave No Trace is a pivotal movement to help conserve and preserve our natural treasures! M. Mackenzie Brady College of William & Mary
YOU!
You drive Leave No Trace's critical work. The Center recognizes the following people, companies and foundations for your important involvement and support in 2015.
Members
Corporate Partners
Community Partners
Foundations
LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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P.O. Box 997, Boulder, CO 80306 303.442.8222 | www.LNT.org
Front and back cover photos graciously donated by Š Mike Fleming Photography Facebook: Mike Fleming Photography