I had a flashback earlier today. This one went way back. Back to my childhood in the 1970’s and early 80’s. I saw a big owl picking up trash until he had a bunch of other people following him around picking up trash as well. He exhorted us to not be “a dirty bird” and ended with his trademark slogan, “Give a hoot! Don’t pollute.” Anyone else ever have those kinds of flashbacks? I’ll never forget Woodsy Owl spreading his message about doing our part to keep the environment clean. Let me tell you what brought it all back to me.

I was reflecting on our recent trip to the desert Southwest and marveling at how well-maintained the areas were that we visited on our treks into the backcountry. These remote areas are maintained in a minimal way by Bureau of Land Management and National Park staff. But for the most part, these areas are maintained by people like you and me who act responsibly when we visit. We clean up after ourselves and carry out everything we brought in with us (except for a couple things—if you get my “drift”). We do what we can to leave things in as good of shape or better than we found them. Thinking about this whole “stewardship of public lands idea” is what brought me back to Woodsy and his infamous catchphrase—“Give a hoot! Don’t pollute!” So, for those who want to take a trip down memory lane with me or you just want to see a cheesy public service announcement from the 1970’s, here you go!

Well, the graphics have improved and the digital media is flashier but the overall message hasn’t changed from my childhood. Stated simply it’s this: Leave things the way you found them and preserve them for the next generation. In so doing, we can instill in the next generation the traits necessary to ensure that things are preserved for the generations after them. That’s the overall impetus behind the Leave No Trace campaign. For full details on the campaign you can visit their website. In the meantime, here are the seven key points around which the idea revolves.

The Seven Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

According to the Leave No Trace website, “The Principles are based not only on a respect for nature and other visitors, they are also based on and supported by scientific research.” In other words, the principles are based in what we used to call “common sense”. But maybe that’s just me sounding old.

I love to visit a majestic overlook and wonder what it would have been like to visit that spot as the first human being to behold the glory of God’s creation from that exact spot. Or camp under an outcropping of Navajo sandstone and wonder how many native Americans have done the same in decades past. Or lay awake contemplating how many cowboys may have camped where I now camp among the sagebrush and looked up at the same vast array of stars that I now behold. All those things are a lot easier to do without water bottles and Walmart bags laying around from previous visitors. Your imagination is free to run wild when there is no evidence lying around or carved into the trees to show that there have been any human beings in that spot for the last decade.

“What responsibilities do I have to Leave No Trace,” you ask. Well, I’m glad you asked. It comes down to two simple things that I try to do. These are the things that I wish to instill in my children and anyone who hikes with me.

Leave it as you found it.

When you hike, or camp, or whatever you do, there should be little, if any, proof that you were ever even there. Let the person who comes after you enjoy the same experience that you were afforded.

Leave it better than you found it.

Not everyone is going to act as responsibly as you. Lead by example. Pick up trash left by others. Carry a bag on your pack for the purpose of packing out someone else’s trash along with your own. I found this story incredibly inspiring when it comes to picking up trash that belongs to others in an effort to make the experience better for all.

Remember this—whatever motivation you find to preserve the beauty and majesty of the earth, we can all agree with Woodsy Owl when he says, “Give a hoot! Don’t pollute!”

Have a great week and go find some adventure.

Mike

Photo credit: llerrah / CC BY-NC-ND