Doody Calls: Leave No Trace by Packing Out Dog Waste

South Lake Tahoe, CA: On a recent trip into the Lake Tahoe backcountry we were astounded to see a minefield of dog waste and bagged dogged waste dotting what should otherwise be a pristine snowfield. This trail, located at the end of a residential neighborhood has become a literal dumping grounds for the folks living in the neighborhood. This high concentration of uncollected dog waste is astounding, but it is not unique. 

In parks, forests, meadows, trails, beaches, and outdoor recreation destinations across the country, dog waste issues are starting to pile up. When uncollected, your pet's poop can spread diseases and pathogens like E.Coli and Parvo Virus to other humans, pets, and wildlife. In addition, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus present in dog waste can contaminate nearby soil and water sources as the waste breaks down. 

It's our "doody" to protect our dogs and our outdoor spaces from these fecal matters. Consider sharing the video below to help spread the word about picking up and packing out your dog's waste on your next outdoor outing. 

Enjoy Your World. Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace's Donielle Stevens and Aaron Hussmann are part of the 2017 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, Fjallraven, Eno, Deuter, Thule, Smartwool, and Taxa Outdoors.