| As much as getting in nature and taking in its | | | | unsightly scars on the landscape. Collecting and |
| greatness is a great thing for us humans, a very | | | | burning wood can destroy homes for small plants |
| important factor to consider is how our time in | | | | and animals. For these reasons many camping |
| nature is effecting the environment. Minimum | | | | areas will have bbq’s and fire sites provided |
| impact camping / backpacking results from | | | | for you to use. Don’t create new fire rings |
| sensitizing ourselves to the natural environment | | | | and obey any fire regulation signs that are |
| and realizing that one persons activities may not | | | | displayed. There are times of high fire danger |
| be damaging itself but thousands or millions of | | | | when weather is dry, so don’t light any fires |
| people doing the same thing has a more obvious | | | | during these times. Small fires have less impact |
| negative impact. When planning your trip in the | | | | than large fires, so resist the urge to have a |
| outdoors, take into consideration your human | | | | scorching, big fire. |
| imprint and use these tips and advise to have a | | | | - Probably the most obvious minimal impact |
| minimal impact experience. | | | | camping tip is to pick up after yourself. Signs are |
| - Improper use of soap can alter plant, oxygen | | | | everywhere with the ‘Pack it in, Pack it |
| and fish populations of a lake or river. Use a | | | | out’ slogan to remind everyone that what |
| biodegradable soap for washing bodies and dishes. | | | | you bring with you camping leaves with you, |
| Never wash in streams, instead collect water and | | | | garbage and all. It’s probably one of the most |
| take it at least 50 m away and wash up, then | | | | ignored, too. A few guidelines about garbage: |
| spread dirty water over the area, which will allow | | | | repackage food to burnable packaging or plastic |
| the water to filter through the earth before it | | | | bags that are easy to pack away; it’s OK to |
| eventually returns to the water source. | | | | burn cans to get rid of food residue but pack out |
| - Carving names in, breaking branches off of or | | | | the remains; don’t bring along any glass which |
| peeling bark from trees can expose it to all sorts | | | | you won’t want to pack out if it breaks; bring |
| of fungal infestations or insect parasites than can | | | | along a few heavy duty large Ziploc bags to pack |
| eventually kill a tree. Be kind to our trees. | | | | away garbage. One last important note – try |
| - Stay on designated trails. Going off the beaten | | | | to leave your camping area a little cleaner than |
| path can result in destroying plant root systems, | | | | when you found it! |
| which results in further damage when organisms | | | | Backwoods camping techniques can also be |
| that depend in those plants are killed. | | | | applied to the ‘front woods’ where most |
| - Improper toilet procedures can contaminate a | | | | organized camp activities take place. Wherever |
| lake or river with giardia or coliform bacteria. If | | | | you are in nature you can reduce the effects |
| toilets exist, use them. If there is no toilet, then | | | | that people have on the environment. Minimal |
| walk 100m away from water and trails, dig a | | | | impact camping allows campers to enjoy the |
| 15cm hole and bury your waste and the toilet | | | | natural surroundings without causing too much |
| paper. | | | | environmental degradation. Nature needs our |
| - Escaped campfires cause ecological damage and | | | | tender, loving care. |