Sustainability Ethos

As professionals in the environmental education field, we strive to be accountable for actions that impact our environment, and seek to be champions for sustainable and environmentally conscious initiatives. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recognizes the need to strive for overall environmental sustainability and conservation of natural resources. We acknowledge the need for ethical and sustainable practices that transcend our organizational mission, which become inherent parts of the way we manage our organization and our daily lives.

What are we doing to further sustainability within our organization?

Worked with GoBoulder to design, implement and analyze a Travel Behavior Survey, with the intent of developing more eco-friendly alternatives and strategies to reduce carbon emission for trips to, from, and during work. All fulltime employees participated.
Performed trash & waste audit through EcoCycle.
Began using services to shred and recycle secure documents.
Stopped selling and using products containing BPA’s as membership premium and switched to more eco-friendly alternative.
Created Carbon Offset Fact Sheet for Traveling Trainer teams, to educate on carbon offsets through Native Energy, in partnership with Clif Bar.
Completed energy audit with local utility provider. Determined list of items to implement in the short term and longer reaching plans.
Switched to all CFL bulbs for all office fixtures, use recycled paper products for all office paper needs, recycle, compost, etc.
Recycling all paper, comingled containers,etc.
Ongoing sustainability audit of office materials, program materials usage to ensure we’re minimizing our overall impact on the planet.
Utilizing alternative transportation, and providing support and incentives for staff to use eco friendly transportation (bikes, bus passes).
Composting kitchen waste.
Continue the dialogue with staff, board, partners and others to increase our overall sustainability.

Do you have great ideas for Leave No Trace? Contact us at sustainability@LNT.org.

While we are, organizationally, focused on promoting responsible enjoyment of the outdoors, we realize that the Leave No Trace concept can be broadly applied in terms of sustainability. In order to help provide more information and resources, visit some of the following sites for more information on sustainability:

Recycling

Energy saving at home

Carbon offsets

Environmental footprint audit (individuals)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_audits

Renewable energy

Alternative transportation

Organic/local foods

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Precycle

Alternative fuel sources, home heating

Public transportation

Water saving

Zero waste

Things you can do to save the Earth

Grocery bags

http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php

Trash

Light bulbs – CFL

Not buying disposable items

www.storyofstuff.com