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As more people use parks and recreation facilities,
LEAVE NO TRACE® guidelines become even
more important for outdoor visitors.
Leave No Trace is a plan that helps
people to be more concerned about their environment and to help them protect
it for future generations. Leave No Trace applies in a backyard or local
park (frontcountry) as much as it does in the wilderness (backcountry).
We should practice Leave No Trace in our
attitude and actions wherever we go. Understanding nature strengthens our
respect toward the environment. One person with thoughtless behavior or one
shortcut on a trail can spoil the outdoor experience for others.
Help protect the environment by remembering that while you are there, you
are a visitor. When you visit the outdoors, take special care of the area.
Leave everything just as you find it.
Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of a considerate outdoorsman
who cares for the environment. Travel lightly on the land.
When boys and leaders complete the
requirements they may purchase a Cub Scout Leave No
Trace temporary patch (No. 08797) through their local council.
The Six Leave No Trace Guidelines for Cub
Scouts:
Plan
Ahead
Watch for
hazards and follow all the rules of the park or outdoor facility. Remember
proper clothing, sunscreen, hats, first aid kits, and plenty of drinking
water. Use the buddy system. Make sure you carry your family's name, phone
number and address.
Stick to Trails
Stay on
marked trails whenever possible. Short-cutting trails causes the soil to
wear away or to be packed, which eventually kills trees and other
vegetations. Trampled wildflowers and vegetations take years to recover.
Manage Your Pet
Managing
your pet will keep people, dogs, livestock and wildlife from feeling
threatened. Make sure your pet is on a leash or controlled at all times. Do
not let your pet approach or chase wildlife. When animals are chased or
disturbed, they change eating patterns and use more energy that may result
in poor health or death. Take care of your pet's waste. Take a small shovel
or scoop and pick-up bag to pickup your pet's waste.
Leave What You Find
When
visiting any outdoor areas, try to leave it the same as you find it. The
less impact we each make, the longer we will enjoy what we have. Even
picking flowers denies others the opportunity to see them and reduces seeds,
which means fewer plants next year.
Use established restrooms. Graffiti and vandalism have no
place anywhere, and they spoil the experience for others. Leave your mark by
doing an approved conservation project.
Respect Other Visitors
Expect to
meet other visitors. Be courteous and make room for others. Control your
speed when biking or running. Pass with care and let others know before you
pass. Avoid disturbing others by making noise or playing loud music. Respect
"No Trespassing" signs.
If property boundaries are unclear,
do not enter the area.
Trash Your Trash
Make sure
all trash is put in a bag or trash receptacle. Trash is unsightly and ruins
everyone's outdoor experience. Your trash can kill wildlife. Even materials
such as orange peels, apple cores and food scraps take years to break down
and may attract unwanted pests that could become a problem.
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