Leave No Trace For Frontcountry Environments

Gibsonia, PA: Did you know that about 85% of all recreation is based in Frontcountry environments? An area that is easily accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by day users. Frontcountry locations tend to attract more visitors than the backcountry. So, Here are some tips and tricks that will help us to minimize our impacts and leave no trace while on Frontcountry trails.

Know Before You Go

•    Be sure to bring enough food and water for the days adventure. Having supplies for your day will maximize your comfort and safety, increasing the quality of your experience.

•    Planning to take your pet on your adventure? Remember, bring along your pet leash and always bring a bag to collect dog waste. 

•    Read up on the rules and regulations of the area that you are going and always remember your map! 

Stick To Trails

•    Stick to durable surfaces to avoid picking up "hitchhikers" and spreading invasive species.

•    Avoid stepping off of the trail, and onto delicate vegetation or wildflowers. Once they are damaged, they may not grow back. 

•    Respect private property by traveling on designated trails. 

Trash Your Trash

•    Being mindful that our wrappers and garbage make it to trash bins is a sure way to keep our parks clean. Keeping our parks clean creates a higher quality experience for everyone! Do your part to trash your trash.

•    Pack it in, Pack it out! 

•    Let's work together to protect our water sources. Avoid putting soap, food, and waste in our water sources. 

Leave It As You Find It

•    Bring along your camera to take photos instead of taking souvenirs, so that the next person can enjoy the space just as much as you.

•    Treat living plants with respect. Avoid carving into trees, this could kill them! 

Be Careful With Fire

•    Having a fire is aesthetically pleasing! If you plan to stay overnight, be sure to check the land regulations to see if a fire is permitted. 

•    Use existing fire rings and keep your fire small.

•    Avoid burning trash or food. Remember, pack it in, pack it out!

•    Avoiding transporting wood from far away locations. The wood could harbor tree killing insects or diseases. Buy wood from a local vendor. 

Keep Wildlife Wild

•    Human food is not healthy for wildlife. Feeding wildlife encourages habituation, which can lead to safety issues for both people and animals.

•    Bring your binoculars to keep a safe distance.

•    Do not approach or feed wildlife.

•    Store your food and scented items securely. 

Be Considerate To Other Visitors

•    The frontcountry is for everyone! These are public spaces designed for recreation and relaxation. With more and more people going out to enjoy these areas, our decisions while outside have a big impact on other visitors.

•    Avoid loud phone calls.

•    Control your pets.

•    Keep group sizes small.

•    Let nature's sounds prevail! 

Steph and Andy – Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Team East

Leave No Trace’s Steph Whatton and Andy Mossey are part of the 2016 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, ENO, Deuter, and SmartWool.