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NO TRACE Leave No Trace; Low Impact Camping;  No Trace Camping; Walking Softly in the Wilderness; Call it what you will   it all means one thing  . . .  how to lessen your impact on the natural environment you are visiting. It is everyone's responsibility including yours to learn how to walk softly in the wilderness.  Read all you can about the subject, including this page, then preach and teach what you have learned. Together we can all make a difference towards sustaining a primitive wilderness for the visitors of the future. Nobody likes a dirty campground!  Whether you are primitive camping, or RVing at a campground resort, a little effort is all that need be spent in order to ensure that the next camper arriving at the campsite after you will enjoy it just as much. Leave NO trace It's all about respect for nature.  If all campers would just leave their campsites the way they found them (assuming it was clean to begin with)  then we will be doing our share to promote camping as it should be. pack it in, pack it out Another way of saying "leave no trace", a concept which I cannot emphasize enough. If you are a backcountry camper, this is particularly important, because there are no dumpsters in the backcountry. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods.  Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.      Leave What You Find Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.  Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.    dumpsters Be sure to take along some plastic garbage bags to collect trash.  The last thing you should do before leaving the campground is to make one more round and pick up any trash and put it in the dumpster.   gray water This is old dishwater, which should not be dumped just anywhere.  In the backcountry be sure to dump gray water away from any fresh water sources and use biodegradable soap. Campgrounds usually have designated areas for dumping gray water.   laundries, restrooms and showers Simply clean up after yourself.  In the backwoods, take appropriate measures to cover human waste.    fish cleaning stations Use them!  Don't clean your catch at the campground.   Minimize Campfire Impacts Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash,  put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.    ashes from the grill Don't dump your ashes on the ground.  Either dump them in the campfire ring or dump them in a bag and put the bag in the campground dumpster. Respect Wildlife Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.  Never feed animals.  Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.  Control pets at all times,  or leave them at home.  Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.     For all activities, remember to "take only pictures, leave only footprints."  Always leave your picnic or campsite cleaner than you found it.  Allow the next person to enjoy the flowers, wildlife, and scenery as much as you did. Teach your children to be observers, not intruders, since they are only visitors. It's a good lesson for kids — respect for the environment carries over to self-respect and respect for others. Above all,  remember the basic rule:  Leave No Trace http://www.lnt.org/TeachingLNT/LNTEnglish.php It's an old proverb, but it should be the foundation of all your travels in the wilderness:  Take only memories, leave only footprints.  To be taken literally, not figuratively.  Simply clicking on the image above will open your default E-mail Writer and have a pre-determined subject line. You can simply send this E-mail with nothing to write and I will be alerted with the Page that has a broken link.  However it would be nice if some input from you of exactly which link is broke. Thank You!!!! Copyright © 2012 Jon's Images, Inc. All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ - By printing, downloading, or using  any info from this site, you agree to our full terms. Review the full terms by clicking here. Below is a summary of some of the terms. If you do not agree to the full terms, do not use the information. All information on this web site is provided as a free service. 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