Leave No Trace Spotlight: Rend Lake

Join Leave No Trace in Rend Lake, IL – June 6-8, 2024

We hand-select nominated outdoor spaces that need our collective care and attention. By designating them as Spotlights, we’re rallying the local community to step up, join forces with Leave No Trace, and make a meaningful impact that can revitalize and protect these special places where we recreate, enjoy one another’s company, and elevate our health physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Rend Lake has been selected as a 2024 Leave No Trace Spotlight. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will be at Rend Lake June 6-8, collaborating with hosts and partners on a variety of programs including stewardship projects, workshops, and community outreach.

Opportunities to Get Involved:

Thursday, June 6: Introduction to Leave No Trace Skills & Ethics, 2:00 -4:00 pm, Rend Lake Visitor Center – Garden View Room

Join Leave No Trace for this interactive workshop open to staff, partners, and the public to learn all about Leave No Trace principles and guidelines to practice whether on the beach or water at Rend Lake, while camping, enjoying all your favorite local parks and natural areas, or in your everyday life. RSVP/Advance sign up is encouraged: LNT.org/RendLake-Workshop

Friday, June 7, Leave No Trace Pop-up Education & Rend Lake Outreach, 12:00 – 4:00 pm, Rend Lake South Sandusky Day Use

Join us for engaging and family-friendly outreach and education, meet the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team, and play quick games to learn more about Leave No Trace and how to protect Rend Lake and all your favorite outdoor spaces.

Saturday, June 8, Beach Blast Shoreline Clean up, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Rend Lake South Sandusky Day Use. 

Join Leave No Trace and US Army Corps of Engineers team and partners for a fun volunteer day and stewardship project during the Rend Lake Beach Blast and Leave No Trace Spotlight!

Volunteers will help clean up the beach and shoreline. A limited number of kayaks will also be available for hard-to-reach areas and removing trash from the water.

The project will take place during Rend Lake’s Annual Beach Blast, a day of safety and fun in the sun. Beach Blast includes the best of beach day activities ranging from beach games, a DJ with family-friendly music all day, a sand sculpture contest, food vendors, and more!

Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Day of sign ups and check in also available from 12 – 1 pm. Stay tuned for more information about how to sign up for the kayaks.