Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills & Ethics Frontcountry Program

Presentation Objectives Provide an overview of the Leave No Trace Frontcountry program. Illustrate differences with the backcountry/wilderness program via language and messages useful for frontcountry settings

Impacts and issues in Frontcountry areas Pet Waste Compacted Soil Wildlife impacts in day-use areas Illegally constructed mountain bike trails/structures

Boulder, CO park – Dog waste sites

Severely eroded areas/trails Dealing with multi-use Trash (motor oil) left at day-use areas Trashed firerings in developed areas Impacts and issues in Frontcountry areas

What is Backcountry? Backcountry is defined as outdoor areas that are generally not accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by overnight users.

What is Frontcountry? Frontcountry is defined as outdoor areas that are easily accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by day users.

Why do we need a Frontcountry Program? The vast majority (over 85%) of recreation occurs near urban centers – day hiking, biking, bird watching, dog walking, jogging, bouldering, picnicking, overnight camping in developed camping areas, water sports, fishing, etc. We need an effective educational program to reach this large population with the Leave No Trace message

Why do we need a Frontcountry Program? There are specific recreation impacts unique to frontcountry areas that need to be effectively targeted – user crowding and conflict, pet management issues, graffiti and vandalism, pet waste, private property trespass, off-trail hiking, etc. Although the seven principles are universal, there are instances where the use of modified language may be necessary to effectively reach frontcountry recreationists

Approved Frontcountry Leave No Trace language 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 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 Traveling on trail leaves room for wildlife and their homes. Short cutting trails causes erosion. Be ready to get muddy and step right through puddles. Boots dry overnight; plants take years to recover.

Protect Our Waters 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 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.

When dogs run off-leash…

Respect Private Property Respect no trespassing signs. If property boundaries are unclear, do not disturb the area. Treat anothers property as you would treat you own.

Pick Up Poop 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 dogs poop--wherever its left.

Keep Wildlife Wild 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 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 Picking flowers, collecting rocks or taking arrowheads may not seem to be a big deal, but it means others wont 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 Share Our Trails We all enjoy Open Space in different ways. Pay attention, expect to encounter others and be courteous. Yield to all.

This slide set was developed for the national Leave No Trace program. Copies may be obtained from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Shorter versions can be developed by omitting slides or local images may be substituted to adapt the program to specific areas. Developed by Ben Lawhon and Jeff Marion