Leave No Trace

What about the Boy Scouts? Kids out of control Way too much noise Group sizes way too big Camping skills badly out of date Inappropriate play damages the backcountry Don't keep appointments to do service work Completely soak up popular campsites or shelters Unskilled campers using areas that call for expert skills Using inappropriate areas (hi-use, fragile) to train new campers and on and on...

In our U.S. wildlands alone: million visitor-days per year million This is up 400 % ! Has anything changed? ( 1 of 2 ) Annual mountain-bike rides in Moab, UT area: Zero ,000,000+ % ?

94.5 % Has anything changed? ( 2 of 2 ) Declining recreation maintenance budgets 90/10 phenomenon Murphy's Law in action: of all Americans recreate in the outdoors each year !

A sense of scale ( 1 of 3 ) 50,000+ Troops/Teams & 17,000+ Crews enjoy 300,000+ weekend trips (unit size) 10,000+ weekend multi-group encampments (20+ units) 5,000+ week-long trips (unit size) 1,000+ week-long multi-group encampments (20+ units)

Over 15 million user days! Estimated annual outdoor use by BSA on public/private recreation lands: A sense of scale ( 2 of 3 )

15,000,000 + A sense of scale ( 3 of 3 )

Contamination How do we do the damage? ( 1 of 6 ) Damages ecosystem Harms humans Ruins visit (trash, garbage, human waste, toxins, etc.)

How do we do the damage? ( 2 of 6 ) Compaction Organic soil is alive! Sterile cement “Mechanical” damage Extended recovery (if ever!)

How do we do the damage? ( 3 of 6 ) Campfires Sterilize soil Fire stains & nubbins Ecosystem zapper Universal garbage can

How do we do the damage? ( 4 of 6 ) Change Build structures Dig in soil Careless damage

How do we do the damage? ( 5 of 6 ) Crowding Seriously affects critters We are critters, too!

How do we do the damage? ( 6 of 6 ) The five “ C’s ” Compaction Campfires Change Crowding Contamination

Why should we bother? ( 1 of 3 ) Wildlands are examples of healthy ecology at work Symbol to man of the natural world Biodiversity Pleasure Scouting is designed such that outdoor use is avital Method of bringing the Aims to our Scouts

A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. Why should we bother? ( 2 of 3 )

to live as carefully as possible” Why should we bother? ( 3 of 3 ) Knud Rasmussen - Arctic Explorer ( ) “…we human beings know so very little of life and its controlling forces that we have an imperative duty…,

Simple R for LNT x Learn how our actions can harm the backcountry Don’t be a wuss - help fellow outdoor enthusiasts join in! Go do it ( or don’t do it, as the case may be... ) Decide to do as little harm as possible Learn ways to minimize damage

Over 20 million outdoor folks! BSA has the opportunity right now to quickly influence the LNT behaviors of: More sense of scale

Principles and Practices Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly Leave What You Find Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Now we can start the detail planning! Learn about our group’s capabilities Plan Ahead and Prepare Start Learning about Leave No Trace Learn about our target ecosystem(s) Learn about our intended backcountry use

Leave No Trace Awareness Award Scout Requirements 1. Recite and explain the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). 2. On three separate camping/backpacking trips demonstrate and practice the principles of LNT. 3. Earn the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. 4. Participate in a LNT- related service project. 5. Give a 10-minute presentation on a LNT topic approved by your Scoutmaster. 6. Draw a poster or build a model to demonstrate the differences in how we camp or travel in high-use and pristine areas. Scouter Requirements 1. Recite and explain the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). 2. On three separate camping/backpacking trips demonstrate and practice the principles of LNT. 3. Share with another Scout leader your understanding and knowledge of the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. 4. Actively assist (training, advice, and general supervision) a Scout in planning, organizing, and leading a service project related to Leave No Trace. 5. Assist a minimum of three Scouts in earning the LNT Awareness Award. 6. Plan and conduct a LNT awareness for Scouts, Scouters, or an interested group outside Scouting.

Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award

(800) LNT - Information & Materials

Can we still do good Scouting within LNT ? Is there a place for the Pioneering Merit Badge? How about “Grand Old Duke of York” campfires? Should the location for “Hi-Adventure” be age-appropriate? Can we do “mass gatherings” in the backcountry? Where will we take the new Scouts to teach them how to camp? What other good questions should we add to the list....?

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 1 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 2 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 3 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 4 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 5 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 6 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 7 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 8 of 9 )

Some Trekking “Theory” ( 9 of 9 )

Choosing Equipment ( 1 of 5 ) Destination backpacking - climbing, caving - hunting, fishing - photography - nature study, exploring Thru-hiking

Choosing Equipment ( 2 of 5 ) Individual personal gear for everything Group gear for everything Individual gear for very personal items only and group gear for as much as possible Individual gear for most items and group gear for a few major ones

Choosing Equipment ( 3 of 5 ) Heavy duty ”Normal” Lightweight Ultralite

Choosing Equipment ( 4 of 5 ) Store bought Home made

Choosing Equipment ( 5 of 5 ) Individual purchase Group buy

Team System Backpacking Divide up all the “work” Real responsibilities Adults focus on youth It is everybody’s trek!