Outdoorsy

Practicing Leave No Trace: Tips for responsible hiking and camping

Madeleine Season 1 Episode 13

In this episode of Outdoorsy, I dive into the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) to give you a practical, thoughtful guide on how to enjoy the outdoors while protecting it for generations to come. This topic is more critical now than ever, particularly with recent budget cuts for the U.S. Forest Service, which will impact their ability to maintain public lands. I break down each of the seven LNT principles, covering practical steps for planning ahead, camping responsibly, handling waste, respecting wildlife, and more. I also explore some nuances within these principles, like how to properly extinguish a campfire, safely handle human waste, and navigate tricky situations involving wildlife.

[00:00:08] - Introduction and Election Reflection
[11:50:00] - Leave No Trace Overview
[14:05:00] - Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
[21:09:00] - Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
[23:32:00] - Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly
[28:04:00] - Principle 4: Leave What You Find
[32:52:00] - Principle 5: Minimize Fire Impact
[37:30:00] - Principle 6: Respect Wildlife
[39:51:00] - Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors
[42:11:00] - Additional Actions Beyond Leave No Trace
[48:57:00] - Performative Leave No Trace and Social Media
[53:38:00] - Conclusion: Leave No Trace as a Mindset
[58:25:00] - Supporting the Podcast

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