1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Camp and travel 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

   -- the seven Leave no Trace principles

A Vision for our Public Lands

The mission of the Leave No Trace (LNT) program is to create a nationally recognized educational system that promotes land stewardship, minimum-impact skills, and wilderness ethics.

Leave No Trace, Inc. is a national non-profit which unites four federal agencies´US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service´with manufacturers, outdoor retailers, user groups, educators, and individuals who share a commitment to maintaining and protecting our public lands for future enjoyment.

Why We Need a National Public Land Stewardship Program

Recreational use of America's public lands has expanded dramatically since the 1960s. Ninety-two percent of all Americans participate in outdoor activities every year and two-thirds of the US populations enjoy public lands at least monthly.

The impact from this increased use is apparent and extreme: scars of campfires, latrines, human trampling, and refuse are common sights in once pristine areas. The quality of water, vegetation and wildlife habitat is being jeopardized every day.

The Leave No Trace message is more than a campaign for clean campsites. It's a program dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and most of all, respect for our public recreation places.

For a detailed look at the LNT principles for the Southeast, please see the Southeastern States Skills and Ethics booklet and the Temperate Coastal Zones booklet on the LNT website.