Leave No Trace is a national program which promotes the protection of our nation's wildlands through education, research, and partnerships. Leave No Trace teaches minimum impact hiking and camping skills, promotes wildland ethics, and builds appreciation for our public recreation places. The four federal land management agencies, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, promote the Leave No Trace message.
Leave No Trace is simple, whether you are backpacking in the Alaska wilderness or strolling through Sitka National Historical Park near downtown Sitka. At the heart of Leave No Trace is a set of seven principles which can be applied in any natural setting to minimize human impacts on the environment.
- 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.
With increasing visitor use it is important to minimize our impacts and Leave No Trace of our visits to wilderness, parks and special other places. Following the Leave No Trace principles and combining them with your personal judgment and experience will help protect precious park resources and preserve the park experience for you and future visitors. Please practice the seven principles and pass them on to those you come in contact with. It's easy to enjoy and protect the park simultaneously.
For more information visit the Leave No Trace website.
