THE RESOURCE
JULY 2016
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Woman pioneers leave no trace in joshua tree
Tech Tip Videos
4 Updates for Outstanding
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY ON RIVERS
Outdoor Advocates
EDUCATION IN MOTION Find out when Leave No Trace will be in your neck of the woods!
COVER IMAGE: Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Amanda Neiman enjoys a ride on the bike path at Illinois State Beach. Illinois State Beach is settled on the shores of Lake Michigan and covers 6.5 miles of the northern coast of Illinois.
Table of contents Painting our national parks Letter from Leave No Trace Executive Director
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The Fantastic 4 Updates for outstanding outdoor advocates
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Leave no trace on waterways 7 ways to recreate responsibly on rivers
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The Champion of Joshua Tree One woman leads the Leave No Trace charge at Joshua Tree National Park
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Traveling Trainer Tech Tips The Bear-muda triangle, packing food properly, and more!
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Leave No Trace Pro Shop Pick up a limited edition Sawyer Mini Water Filter today
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New Traveling Trainers in 2016 Introducing the newest faces of Leave No Trace
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painting our national parks The other day I was asked by our local CBS affiliate to comment on the Casey Nocket case — You remember: the young woman who marked, defaced (say graffiti) several national parks in 2014 using the hashtag: creepytings? My comments to the reporter were straightforward, emphasizing the growing need for Leave No Trace education on our national landscape. I had to pause, however, when asked about whether or not Leave No Trace could have helped or changed this young woman. Unfortunately, caring for and about the outdoors is not always as black and white as it could be. Leave No Trace, in my mind, is a primary and critical part of the equation, yet it has to be coupled with an important value: the power and desire to protect the outdoors. Although I believe that most people have good intentions when hiking, biking, fishing or enjoying any outdoor pursuits, some people have not tapped into that value. For a few, providing education, or even putting Leave No Trace into an ethical framework, may not change their attitudes or behavior. We all have to live with that. I do believe that Leave No Trace is positively impacting millions of people who love being in the outdoors, providing tools and skills to care for our shared trails, parks, rivers, beaches and open space. That is what we focus on, and despite the number of outdoor “mishaps” we may experience or read about (graffiti in parks, a baby bison loaded into the back of a SUV, trespassing on historic,
grand prismatic spring, and the list goes on and on), Leave No Trace will not be deterred. In fact, we are more charged and ready. These cases help illustrate the critical need for Leave No Trace for the future of our lands’ protection. So spread the word and spread the education as we enter into the high season of summer. Please enjoy this issue of the Resource where you will learn outdoor culinary tips to better Leave No Trace, skills for river recreation, and hear from a star climbing ranger at California’s Joshua Tree National Park who is bringing the program to her community in inspirational and innovative ways. Thanks as always for your care and stewardship of our beloved outdoors. Dana Watts
Leave No Trace Executive Director
Fantastic Four: July 2016
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The Center began work with 20 summer camps to pilot the new Leave No Trace for Every Kid Curriculum. This summer, over 9,000 campers will be exposed to the new curriculum; the most robust Leave No Trace youth education initiative to date. Pilot program results will inform the national rollout of the curriculum in 2017.
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Researchers from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and Penn State University recently presented preliminary findings from a study on the use of undesignated trails. The study involved visitor observation paired with surveys to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons and motivations for using undesignated trails. Additionally, the study explored management and educational strategies to
reduce use of undesignated trails. Final study findings will be available later this year.
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Ten Leave No Trace Demonstration Sites were named. These are federal and state lands that the Center will work with to become showcase sites for positive Leave No Trace programming. The Demonstration Sites are an integral addition to the Leave No Trace in Every Park initiative this year.
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Teams of educators hit the road in May bringing innovative Leave No Trace programs to four regions of the country. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will conduct Hot Spots, visit schools and camps, train university students and more in 2016.
A mama bear and her two cubs graze in Grand Teton National Park. Volunteers known as the Wildlife Brigade work hard to keep the wildlife wild and park visitors safe by keeping both parties at an appropriate distance from one another.
Tips for water trips Floating rivers is a unique way to enjoy the outdoors. From a raft, kayak, or canoe a river traveler can watch a heron silently flying overhead, observe the record of millions of years of geologic time, or experience the thrill of running a turbulent rapid. River corridors have always provided an ideal channel for exploring America’s wild places. Historically, early river pioneers were searching for furs, precious metals, minerals, and routes to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Modern river runners are searching for beauty, solitude, excitement, and a sense of connection with their surroundings. More of us are traveling on rivers than ever before, making it necessary that we learn how to preserve these waterways and the habitats adjoining them. Human impact is more concentrated in river corridors than in many other ecosystems. Although we leave little or no impact on the water when we travel over it, our impacts on the riverbanks can be significant. Steep canyon walls or high mountains define some river corridors while others meander through hills and dense forest. These features often offer majestic scenery, but they also restrict travelers to narrow strips of land where we cook, eat, sleep, pack, play games, and produce waste. Since different boating parties use the same stretches of river and the same camps night after night, the effects of these activities are multiplied many times over. On your next outing, be it a day or several weeks, be mindful of your impact and what you leave behind for those who will follow. In order to minimize our cumulative impact on the rivers we enjoy, we need to practice Leave No Trace principles.
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Plan Ahead and Prepare
Learn about river-specific issues, regulations and permits. Know river skills and carry the necessary equipment to enjoy the river safely.
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Minimize Campfire Impacts Carry a fire pan
or build a mound fire. Consider using stoves for cooking. Learn about local fire regulations.
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Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Durable surfaces include water, rock, gravel and sand. Focus activity where vegetation is absent. Leave putins, take-outs and campsites clean and natural looking. Dispose of Waste Properly Pack it in, pack
it out. Learn about regulations pertaining to human waste and dispose of it properly. Generally, the best practice is to pack out human waste.
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Leave What You Find
Appreciate ancient structures, artifacts, rock art and other natural objects but leave them undisturbed. Avoid introducing nonnative or invasive species by cleaning equipment between trips.
Respect Wildlife Observe
wildlife from a distance. Avoid feeding wildlife, especially unintentionally, and always properly store food and trash. Control pets or leave them at home. Be Considerate of Other Visitors Respect other visitors
and the quality of their experience. Communicate with other river users about your floating and camping plans to avoid conflicts.
For more information on Leave No Trace, visit www.LNT.org
The champion of
joshua tree
One woman leads the Leave No Trace charge at Joshua Tree National Park
When the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics launched the national Leave No Trace In Every Park initiative in 2015, the organization had an eye on the billions of visits to our public lands every year. The Center was also interested in identifying and promoting the work of Leave No Trace stars in the field. Bernadette Regan from California’s Joshua Tree National Park lands squarely in the top-tier of Leave No Trace champions. Over two-million people visited Joshua Tree National Park last year, many descending upon the craggy, historic landscape to rock climb. Regan, the park’s climbing ranger, has promoted Leave No Trace for seven years with innovative programs to engage and educate climbers. Regan chronicles her unique work to build Leave No Trace ethics among the climbers at Joshua Tree in the following interview conducted by Pat and TJ Beezley, who just wrapped up their tenure as Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers. Traveling Trainers: How long have you been at Joshua Tree National Park? Bernadette Regan: I started my position as a
climbing ranger in June 2009.
TT: What are your general responsibilities? BR: Climbing education and outreach, most
noticeably this comes in the form of Climbers
Coffee, which is hosted in Hidden Valley Campground. I make copious amounts of coffee, cocoa, and tea; display informative posters, and answer questions for a couple hours on Saturdays and Sundays during climbing season. Afterwards, I usually go on climbing patrol, which means I go to crags in uniform to interact with climbers, giving me the opportunity to show by example Leave No Trace and good climbing practices. While on patrol, I am observing trail use, getting to know the park better, dismantling fire rings, reporting graffiti, reminding folks where their dogs can and can’t go, and am always on call for Search and Rescue.The other half of my job is vegetation related with a focus on climbing impacts. So, I have mapped all the social trails in the climbing areas and make recommendations for access signs and restoration. This ties into the outreach component, too. TT: What impacts do you deal with the most? What is the greatest need at Joshua Tree? BR: The current biggest impact is crowds.
Everybody has figured out that climbing and Joshua Tree are awesome. The trend seems to be that instead of two climbers climbing a route, you’ll see one top rope and ten people hanging out at the base of the climb. That means ten people peeing, putting their packs
on plants, making noise, traveling to and from the rock on different paths, and potentially leaving trash. There are many hardened areas in Joshua Tree, but as the park gets more crowded climbers are going to more places. Bouldering is even more social than climbing. I regularly see groups of 10-20 individuals, each with a crash pad heading to the same boulders. Studies have shown that irresponsible crash pad use has the potential to leave a very big trace.The other impacts we see the most are social trailing (braids of unmarked trails), vandalism/graffiti, non-permitted bolting, out-of-bounds camping and fires, dogs, excessive tick marks (climbing chalk indicating specific holds), and noise. The grossest impact is poop and used toilet paper, socks, and underwear. May I please remind all climbers that pooping on any climb in Joshua Tree is unacceptable. You are really never that far from the ground. Please plan ahead.The greatest need besides more campsites is to continue fostering a community of stewards.
My goal is to teach other people to pick it up or not to leave it in the first place; because if it’s not there, I’d have more time to climb.
TT: What are you doing in Joshua Tree National Park to minimize impacts among climbers and general public?
BR: For several years I lived in and out of my truck, focusing on climbing as much as possible and working as little as possible. After figuring out how radical the Joshua Tree community is, I started spending my winters here while working at a café in town. One winter, I traded the food service gig for an internship with the park’s vegetation crew. That season, my co-workers (all “ists” – biologists, geologists, etc..) impressed me so much that I wanted to continue to learn and work with them.
BR: Here’s my list: 1. Inform climbers about good
climbing practices and Leave No Trace; 2. Mark the popular climbing and bouldering access trails; 3. Consult with guidebook authors about access information including closed climbs and trail locations; 4. Restore climbing areas using native plants and delineating trails; 5. Be a good example both while I am in uniform and not; 6. Encourage climbers to talk to the local climbing community before making new routes or altering existing ones; 7. Be better about informing people of the park’s rules and regulations; 8. Strategically use social media. TT: Why are you passionate about Leave No Trace? BR: I like climbing on
rocks, but rocks are not a renewable resource. I also like being in beautiful places. I can’t walk by a piece of trash without picking it up.
TT: How does your work at Joshua Tree National Park relate to the Leave No Trace in Every Park intiative? How could Joshua Tree National Park implement more Leave No Trace educational efforts to the public? BR: Twice a climbing season the Leave No Trace
Traveling Trainers help to co-host Climbers Coffee. The park could have someone at trailheads talking to folks as they head out to backcountry camp or hike. They could have more rangers of all kinds roving through the park. The park could also use social media to promote Leave No Trace messages and encourage community stewardship.
TT: Any personal experiences to share that encouraged you to both work for the park service and promote Leave No Trace?
tech tips
Learn these summer camping tips from the Leave No Trace pros!
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new traveling trainers 2016 The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers live on the road, offering free Leave No Trace training and outreach in communities across the country. They do all of this while sleeping outside over 250 nights a year. Want to invite the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers to come to your community? Submit your request here! They hope to meet you in your neighborhood.
In the SPotlight
Community Partners
Organization: International
Mountain Guides
Partner since: 2007 Proudest accomplishment as an organization: For more
than thirty years we’ve been able to successfully lead thousands of climbers to the summits of the world’s great mountains. That and we have the best guide staff in the world. It’s a safe bet the two go hand in hand. Why Leave No Trace?: Is
there a reason why you should leave a trace? How do you get from A to B:
Roped up, wearing crampons with the ice axe in the uphill hand.
Favorite memory outside: Today was pretty cool – we had two groups summit Mt. Rainier after a pretty big snow storm, one via the DC Route & the other via the Emmons Route. Our guides were out front breaking trail all day putting the route in & getting our climbers to the top. An incredibly tough, and physically exhausting day, but the guides took pride in every step. We had a wedding proposal on the mountain as well today, not a bad Thursday…she said yes! My Leave No Trace partnership…: means
we’re helping spread the word & saving our world for future generations to enjoy!
education in MOTION The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers are conducting the following events across the country in July and August. Find out more about how you can get involved by checking out the event calendar.
Montana
Colorado
Nebraska
• Avid 4 Adventure, Bailey, July 25 • RockyGrass Festival, Lyons, July 28-August 1 • Rocky Mountain Half Marathon & 5K Vacation Race, Estes Park, July 29-30 • Down River Equipment, Wheat Ridge, August 17 • Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Lyons, August 18-22 Idaho
• Ann Morrison Park Outreach, Boise, August 14 • BLM Boise Field Office and Agency Training, Boise, August 15 • Upper Hills Gulch Trailhead Outreach, Boise, August 16 Illinois
• BSA Trainer Course, Hudson, August 12-14 • Floatzilla 2016, Rock Island, August 19-20 • Garden of the Gods – Shawnee National Forest Hot Spot ReVisit, Jonesboro, August 26-28 Kansas
• L.L. Bean, Leawood, July 23
• Yellowstone Club, Big Sky, July 22 • BLM Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, Fort Benton, July 28 • Clark Days Celebration, Pompeys Pillar, July 30 • Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison, August 31 Ohio
• Gateway Outdoor Learning Center, Conneaut, August 5 Oregon
• Pacific Crest Trail Days 2016, Cascade Locks, August 19-21 • Keen Footwear, Portland, August 24 South Dakota
• Badlands National Park, Interior, August 26 Utah
• Summer Outdoor Retailer, Salt Lake City, August 3-6 • Dinosaur National Monument, Jensen, August 10 • BLM Moab Field Office, Moab, August 10 • BLM Price Field Office, Price, August 16 Virginia
• New River Gorge Outdoor Adventure Fest, Burnwood, July 30 • Devil’s Bath Tub Hot Spot Week, Norton, August 8-15 • Appalachian Trail Conservancy Master Educator Course, Sugar Grove, August 8-12
Washington
• NOLS Master Educator Course, San Juan Islands, August 4-8 • Fjallraven, Seattle, August 28 Wyoming
• SROM Master Educator Course, Laramie, August 10-14 • Fossil Butte National Monument, Kemmerer, August 26