How to Leave No Trace While Camping with Family
Camping is a great way to spend time with family and get out into nature! Spending time in the outdoors can be a great learning experience for kids of all ages! One important rule to remember while spending time outdoors is to Leave No Trace. Leaving No Trace is the idea of when out visiting in nature make sure to Leave No Trace that you were there and Leave No Trace of your family behind. This is key to preserving the environment we love so much!
Protecting the natural environment is critical to wildlife that live in the area. Trash left behind can be harmful to animals that rely on the environment around to survive. Many animals that are already on the Endangered Species list can be harmed when campers leave behind items they used. If we want to keep protect wildlife, defending their habitat is the first step.
Here are just a few ways you can help Leave No Trace while spending time in the great outdoors!
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace you were at the campsite. You can do this by picking up all trash you brought with you. This includes left over food pieces. Leaving food can also be harmful to animals because this can teach animals not to be fearful of humans and can also teach animals to associate humans with food. Check your area before you leave that there is no remains left behind.
Practice Safety While Having a Campfire
Campfires can be fun, but make sure yours does not get out of hand. When you are having a fire, make sure it stays in a designated area. When fires get out of hand, they can destroy the habitat for wildlife that depend on that environment. When having a campfire make sure to clean up after and not leave left over trash pieces in the fire.
Cut Down on Plastic
Saying “No” to straws and using reusable shopping bags and water bottles are easy ways to cut down on plastic in your everyday life. Take the kids shopping to pick out their own water bottle they can be excited to use instead of using one time use bottles. Plastic is filling up the oceans and waterways causing many problems for animals and the environment. Show your kids they can make a difference in their everyday choices.
Leave No Footprints, Take Only Memories
While spending time out in nature, it is important to remember not only leave nothing behind, but not to take anything with you. While out camping, sometimes people want to take pieces of the area home with them. When we take pieces of the environment, it takes away from the habitat of wildlife we love to see. Also taking plants back and introducing them to another area can be harmful to the environment they are being introduced to.
Volunteer
While you are out hiking or walking around the campsite, pick up any trash you see! Help keep the areas clean not only for your family, but for others to enjoy also. Even if it is not your trash, you can help wildlife in the area by keeping walkways and swimming areas free of trash and debris.
Keeping nature serine and untouched is something we can all take part of when we are out visiting the outdoors. Not only does it protect the wildlife around us, but as parents, we are teaching our children the importance of protecting our earth. We can teach our children the importance of conservation and preservation by showing them to Leave No Trace!