Each quarter, we choose an organization that is near and dear to our hearts as our Pledge 1% recipient. The Pledge 1% movement challenges companies to donate 1% of their revenue, product, or employee time (or all three) to support local nonprofit organizations. This fall quarter, we are excited to announce Leave No Trace (LNT) as our Pledge 1% recipient.
“It's important to us that we give back to the world that supports us. Pledge 1% makes it easy to honor that commitment by making sure that we are always donating to charitable causes, whether a little or a lot, in good times and bad.” – Tavis Malcolm, Founder of Morrison Outdoors
This amazing organization strives to educate people on how to reduce their impact on the environment, keeping our natural spaces healthy for future generations. We sat down for a chat with Matt, the Manager of Sustainable Partnerships at LNT, to learn more about their mission and resources for educating the community on the Leave No Trace Principles.
What is the Leave No Trace Organization?
Leave No Trace is a nonprofit organization that protects the outdoors through science-based education, inspiring responsible recreation. We empower people everywhere to reduce their impact so parks, trails, and wild places remain healthy and accessible for all.
"Leave No Trace" as a concept dates back to the 1960s. The organization was officially formed in 1994 when land managers from across the country recognized the need for clear and consistent guidance on how visitors to our parks and protected natural areas can help reduce their impact and protect these places for generations to come.
What does it mean to “Leave No Trace”? How did the 7 Principles come about?
Most people who go outside want to do the right thing and are motivated to protect the natural beauty and history of our amazing outdoor spaces, but they often don't know how to do it. Small, innocent choices, like hiking off-trail or being careless with food and trash, can add up to big negative impacts when parks and public lands are seeing record-high visitation. That's where Leave No Trace comes in. We give people skills, knowledge, and resources to help them make better choices when it comes to protecting the places they love. People trained in Leave No Trace are five times more likely to take actions to protect nature!
The "Seven Principles" are based on the study of recreation ecology, the scientific study of how outdoor recreation affects plants, water, animals, and ecosystems, both positively and negatively. Together, they provide people with an easy-to-follow outdoor ethic that guides them to be part of the solution to conservation. When people practice Leave No Trace, we keep forests healthy, protect parks, strengthen wildlife, prevent wildfires, and ensure that everyone feels welcome in nature.
Why is it important to get families and youth out in nature, and how can parents/guardians teach children how to “Leave No Trace” without taking away from the magic of nature exploration?
That's a great question! Not only do kids who go outside often grow up to become outdoor advocates, but time spent exploring nature is so important to young folks' mental health and well-being. Sometimes people interpret "Leave No Trace" to mean "don't touch anything," and that's not what we're going for at all. We encourage parents to engage with their kids in nature-play and to interact with the environment around them. Kids are naturally drawn to interactive play outside, and Leave No Trace ethics help parents and kids alike make informed decisions about how their actions affect the outdoors.
What programs, events, or resources do you provide for the community?
Leave No Trace conducts in-person outreach, education, and training for communities across the country every year through our Spotlight, Hot Spot, and Gold Standard programs. Our education and training structure includes a robust youth education program with lesson plans aligned with Common Core Standards for each grade level. We also train outdoor enthusiasts and professionals as Leave No Trace instructors through multi-day courses, and have an extensive offering of online courses in Leave No Trace for beginners to experts.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We couldn't carry out our mission without great partners. From outdoor companies like Morrison Outdoors, to outfitters, guides, rangers, and visitor center staff, to hospitality providers, destination managers, we rely on passionate people and organizations to help share the Leave No Trace message. Everyone can get involved by taking a Leave No Trace course, teaching their friends and family, and becoming a member of Leave No Trace, helping us to continue to spread Leave No Trace to new and experienced outdoors people alike.
We believe in enjoying the outdoors responsibly, preserving our natural spaces, and we are proud to support organizations that share this mindset! Check out the Leave No Trace website for more information on the 7 principles and discover resources to help kids and adults reduce their impact on the environment.
