WASHINGTON – There is an old saying popular with park rangers and campers – “take only pictures and leave only footprints” when you are enjoying the great outdoors. While many subscribe to this philosophy, it isn’t always obvious how to make the right low-impact choices when you’re far from roads and established campgrounds. The National Park Service’s (NPS) Leave No Trace video is a great place for campers to learn where to pitch a tent and how to cook in wilderness so that no one will know you were there. It even covers what do to – ahem – when Mother Nature calls.
The 9½ minute video, on-line for the first time, addresses the importance of taking a personal role in preserving the outdoor experience for future generations. It provides a vivid and adventurous display of outdoor scenery, showcasing wild animals, breathtaking scenery, and presents how people can incorporate Leave No Trace principles when they are outdoors.
“We hope the video inspires people to take a wilderness trip,” said Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. “The more people know about making the right choices while camping and enjoying the backcountry, the better we can protect these special places for future generations of hikers and campers.”
Copies are now available for individuals, colleges, universities, summer camps, and groups through the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado. To obtain a free copy of the DVD, please visit www.LNT.org, or call (800) 332-4100 (shipping and handling charges will apply).
For information about hosting the video on your website, contact Wade Vagias with the National Park Service at Wade_Vagias@nps.gov or (202) 513-7124. To view or download the video, go to http://www.nps.gov/features/wilderness/leavenotrace/popup.html.
