Whenever I head out on a trail or find myself surrounded by trees, mountains, or ocean breeze, I try to remind myself of something simple but important: nature doesn’t just exist for us, it exists with us. And every step we take leaves something behind, even if we don’t mean it to.
That’s where the Leave No Trace Principles come in. They’re not rules meant to limit our experience, but thoughtful reminders of how to explore without harm, and how to give back to the wild places that give us so much.
For me, they’ve become a kind of quiet promise: to respect the land, to care for the creatures who live there, and to make sure these beautiful places stay wild and welcoming for others, for the future, and for myself each time I return.
So what exactly are the Leave No Trace Principles?
They’re a set of seven simple yet powerful guidelines that help us minimize our impact on nature. Originally developed to support backcountry travel, they apply just as much to a short walk in a local park as they do to a week-long trek in the mountains.
1. Plan ahead and prepare
Know where you’re going, what to expect, and how to stay safe. Being prepared helps avoid damage to natural areas and keeps us from making choices that harm wildlife or the environment.
Here’s what to consider before your trip:
Know your group’s goals and conditions:
- Define the objectives of your trip and what activities you’ll be doing.
- Consider group size.
- Make sure everyone knows the basic safety skills needed.
Research the area:
- Location and access points
- Permits and fees
- Weather and forecast
- Duration of your trip
- Food and water needs
- Camping/fire regulations
- Fragile ecosystem elements
- Closure periods
- Avoid peak seasons, if possible
Use the right gear:
- Clothing appropriate for the climate
- If camping, bring all necessary overnight equipment
Reduce your rubbish:
- Bring food in reusable bags to reduce bulk and waste
- Plan meals carefully to avoid leftovers
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
There are established areas without vegetation used for walking (trails) or resting (picnic/camping areas) called “sacrifice zones”, created to avoid damage the surroundings. Stick to the sacrifice zones. Walking off-trail might seem harmless, but over time, it erodes soil and damage vegetation.
In high-use areas:
- Stick to marked trails and campsites
- Don’t cut across paths—it causes erosion
- Walk single file on narrow trails
- Camp only in designated spots
In pristine or less-travelled areas:
- Travel in small groups
- Spread out activities to avoid creating new impact zones
- Walk on rock, sand, or bare soil—not on vegetation
When camping in pristine areas:
- Choose resistant surfaces and avoid fragile ground like grass, moss, or delicate plants
- Set up camp at least 60 meters from water sources
- Spread out your use to avoid concentrated damage
Always remember:
- Pack out all rubbish (even organic)
- Avoid newly impacted areas so they can recover
- Never cook, bathe, or wash dishes directly in water sources
3. Dispose of waste properly
Pack it in, pack it out (every last bit). That includes food scraps, wrappers, and yes, even toilet paper. What we leave behind can harm animals, contaminate water sources and also spoil the experience for others.
Take everything back with you:
- Reduce waste by re-packaging food (see Principle #1: Plan ahead and prepare)
- Bring back organic waste too (leftovers can alter wildlife behaviour)
- Never burn or bury rubbish (it pollutes the environment)
Protect water sources:
- Camp at least 60 meters away from clean water
- Do all washing (clothes, dishes, etc.) at that distance
- Don´t use soap and detergent
Human waste:
- Use established toilets when available
- Urinate away from vegetation and dilute with water if possible
- For feces, use the “cat hole method”: dig a 20 cm deep hole, do your thing and cover it with soil and natural material afterward. Bring a bag for used toilet paper.
- IMPORTANT: Always pack out used toilet paper and menstrual products.
4. Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, and never feed them. Our food can harm them, and human interaction can disrupt natural behaviour. It may seem obvious, but many people don’t realize how their actions can seriously affect wildlife wellbeing.
To protect animals:
- Keep noise to a minimum
- Never feed wildlife (it changes their behaviour and harms their health)
- Observe from a distance (at least 2 meters)
- Do not kill wild animals (including small creatures like bugs) or those that are regulated like fish or rabbits (use permits where applicable)
- Don’t bring pets (they can disrupt wildlife, make noise, and spread diseases)
- Be especially mindful of endangered species (do your research in advance)
- At night, avoid shining lights directly at animals and don’t use flash for photos
- Drive slow and carefully on rural roads to avoid harming animals (mostly at down and dusk)
5. Minimize campfire impact
Campfires are cosy and can keep you warm in cold nights, but they can cause serious environmental damage if not done properly and are one of the leading causes of wildfires. Always use a camp stove or follow local guidelines carefully when fires are allowed.
Consider:
- Only make fires if absolutely necessary
- Use a camping stove for cooking
- Check regulations, weather, and fire bans before lighting a fire
Recommendations when doing campfires:
- Choose a spot with little vegetation and shelter from wind
- Avoid lighting fires near trees
- Use only dead, dry wood from the ground
- Never break branches from a tree for firewood
- Keep fires small (no wood thicker than your wrist)
- Don’t douse with water (let fires burn completely to white ash)
- Scatter the remains once fully cooled
- NEVER leave a fire unattended
6. Leave what you find
Take only memories (and maybe a few photos), not rocks, plants, or cultural artefacts. Everything has a place in the ecosystem, and often, its removal has unseen consequences.
The idea here is to leave the place better than you find it, so others can enjoy it too, and so ecosystems remain as undisturbed as possible.
Minimize your impact:
- Leave the site as it was (or cleaner)
- Pick up any rubbish you find
- Don’t build structures or furniture
- Don’t clear vegetation to make room for camping
Avoid harming flora and fauna:
- Don’t carve into trees or rocks
- Be cautious in delicate areas like mossy or grassy terrain
Leave natural objects behind:
- Don’t take rocks, flowers, logs, plants, animals, fossils, or artefacts
- It might seem harmless to take one rock, but if everyone did, it would create a big impact
7. Considerate of others
Nature is for everyone. Keeping noise low, yielding on trails, and leaving things as we found them helps create a welcoming space for all.
- Keep the feeling of being in nature (avoid loud music or noise)
- Drones can be disturbing (use them thoughtfully and only when allowed)
- Keep areas clean and litter-free
- Be friendly and courteous
- Share knowledge (if someone isn’t following LNT, kindly educate them)
- Respect other people’s space (don’t set up camp too close to others)
Note: With social media being such a big part of our lives, be mindful not to tag exact locations when sharing photos of little-known natural places. This helps protect them from becoming overcrowded and overused before they’re ready.
The more time I spend in the outdoors, the more I realize how much Mother Nature teaches us about resilience, beauty, stillness, and connection. But it also gently asks for something in return: our care, our respect.
After the pandemic, many of us have turned to nature for peace, clarity, or a sense of wonder. Trails are busier, parks more visited, and wild spaces more appreciated than ever, which is a beautiful thing. But with that growing love comes a growing impact. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how their actions (however unintentional) can harm ecosystems, pollute delicate environments, or disrupt wildlife.
The issue isn’t just the number of people heading outdoors, it’s how we interact with the land. That’s where the Leave No Trace Principles become so important. These seven simple but powerful guidelines give us the tools to explore more mindfully, to reduce our impact, and to give back to the places that give us so much.
We all make mistakes and we all learn as we go. What matters is that we try. Leave No Trace isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being mindful. It’s about realizing that our presence matters, and that we have the power to protect the places we love just by making a few conscious choices.
Now that you know the Leave No Trace Principles, you have the power to make a difference every time you step outside. Whether it’s picking rubbish, staying on the trail, or simply sharing what you’ve learned with a friend, each small act helps protect something much bigger than ourselves. When we treat nature with respect, we’re not just preserving landscapes, we’re honouring the deep connection we share with the Earth, and leaving something better for those who follow in our footsteps.
Let’s be the kind of visitors nature would welcome back. Let’s care for Mother Nature as she has cared for us!
And if this post resonated with you, pass it on!
Next time you’re in the outdoors, remember: leave it better than you found it. We all have the power to make a positive impact.
Got questions?
Feel free to contact me here.
