Transcript Leave No Trace Frontcountry Program

Leave No Trace Center for
Outdoor Ethics
Frontcountry Program
What is Frontcountry?
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Frontcountry is defined as outdoor areas that are easily
accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by day users.
Why do we need a Leave No
Trace Frontcountry Program?
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Vast majority (over 85%) of recreation in the U.S.
occurs near urban centers – day hiking, biking,
bird watching, dog walking, jogging, bouldering,
picnicing, overnight camping in developed
camping areas, water sports, fishing, etc.
Need an effective way to reach this large
population with the Leave No Trace message
Why do we need a Leave No
Trace Frontcountry Program?
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There are specific recreational impacts that are
unique to frontcountry areas that need to be
effectively targeted – user/social conflict, pet
management issues, graffiti and vandalism, pet
waste, private property trespass, off-trail hiking,
etc.
Land managers and others need the ability to
locally-tailor specific Leave No Trace messages to
more effectively reach frontcountry audiences
Impacts and issues found in
Frontcountry areas
Severely eroded areas/trails
Dealing with multi-use
Compacted Soil
Pet Waste
Trashed firerings in
developed areas
Trash (motor oil) left at
day-use areas
Wildlife impacts in day-use areas
Illegally constructed mountain
bike trails/structures
Impacts and issues found in
Frontcountry areas
Severely eroded areas/trails
Dealing with multi-use
Trashed firerings in
developed areas
Trash (motor oil) left at
day-use areas
National Participant Growth
Projections (millions)
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75
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50
40
59
54
48
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46
15
16
54
58
62
49
Backpacking
Car camping
Day-hiking
30
20
15
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19
10
0
1995 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Approved Frontcountry Leave
No Trace language
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Plan Ahead & Prepare
Travel & Camp on
Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire
Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other
Visitors
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Know Before You Go
Stick to Trails
Trash Your Trash, Pick
Up Poop (dog waste)
Leave It As You Find It
Be Careful With Fire
Keep Wildlife Wild
Share Our Trails, Yield to
Others
Examples of modified
language and graphics
Stick to Trails
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Traveling on trail
leaves room for
wildlife and their
homes. Short cutting
trails cause erosion.
Be ready to get muddy
and step right through
puddles. Boots dry
overnight; plants take
years to recover.
Protect Our Waters
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Riparian areas are vital
to the health and
diversity of animal
and plant life in the
Basin. These areas are
often the sole habitat
for many plants and
animals species that
need wet conditions.
Manage Your Dog
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Keeping your dog in
control keeps people,
dogs, livestock and
wildlife safe. Others may
not appreciate your dogs
company, therefore ask
before allowing your dog
to approach them. Keep
your dog nearby and
under control. Carry and
use a leash as required.
Respect Private Property
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Respect “no
trespassing” signs. If
property boundaries
are unclear, do not
disturb the area. Treat
another’s property as
you would treat you
own.
Pick Up Poop
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Phew! Dog poop
stinks, is not natural to
Open Space and others
can step in it. Pack a
pick-up bag and
always pick-up your
dog’s poop--wherever
its left.
Climb Smart
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Red Rock Canyon
Conservation Area is a
world famous rock
climbing destination
that offers something
for every climber. To
preserve this precious
and sensitive resource,
please climb
responsibly.
Keep Wildlife Wild
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Natural areas are home
to wildlife. As a
visitor, you should
respect wildlife by
observing them from a
distance and not
feeding them.
Trash Your Trash
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Please take out all trash,
yours and others. Even
“biodegradable” materials
such as orange peels,
apple cores and food
scraps can take years to
break down, and attract
scavengers that harm other
wildlife.
Leave It as You Find It
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Picking flowers,
collecting rocks or taking
arrowheads may not seem
to be a big deal, but it
means others won’t have
a chance to enjoy them.
With millions of people
visiting Open Space, the
less impact we each
make, the longer we will
enjoy what we have.
Share Our Trails
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We all enjoy Open
Space in different
ways. Pay attention,
expect to encounter
others and be
courteous. Yield to
all.