Gold Standard is Leave No Trace’s highest form of recognition. Sites, organizations, and programs that earn Gold Standard designation are recognized nationally and internationally for implementing Leave No Trace. The designation process provides a framework for building a strong Leave No Trace educational program that produces better-informed visitors and fewer recreation-related impacts.
Most damage isn’t caused by people who don’t care. It’s caused by people who don’t easily know how to limit their impact. Staff can’t be at every trailhead, and signs only go so far.
Gold Standard helps sites, organizations, and properties embed Leave No Trace education and messaging throughout the recreation experience.
Better-informed visitors
Consistent messages reach people before they arrive, on the trail, and after they leave.
Reduced maintenance costs
More than an honor, Gold Standard status is an assurance that your visitors receive clear, effective guidance, resulting in reduced maintenance and better behavior.
One framework for staff and partners
The assessment gives your team a shared baseline and an action plan to work from.
International Recognition
Use the Gold Standard logo and be listed on lnt.org with designated sites across the country.
Six types of places and programs hold the designation. Find yours, see who’s already in, and request the matching assessment.
Arches National Park receives Gold Standard Designation
Parks, forests, and protected areas, usually overseen by land or water managers.
Hotels, lodges, vacation rentals, and other places people stay to reach outdoor spaces.
Outfitters, guides, and anyone leading trips outdoors in an official capacity.
Camps, school programs, and other youth-serving organizations.
Organizations that manage outdoor recreation or education programs.
Convention and visitors bureaus, tourism boards, and communities that draw people to outdoor places.
Gold Standard designation is Leave No Trace’s highest standard of recognition. It is achieved through the integration of Leave No Trace messaging and education throughout a site, program, organization, etc. The designation process creates a framework for implementing Leave No Trace education into all aspects of outdoor recreation.
Designation is based on the Leave No Trace Assessment, which includes criteria that measure how Leave No Trace is implemented and at what level. Designees also must maintain a Leave No Trace partnership or equivalent agreement, submit annual reporting, and re-designate on a five year cycle.
Designees can utilize the Leave No Trace Gold Standard logo and are listed on the Leave No Trace website. Completing the work required to achieve the designation builds a well developed Leave No Trace educational program that can result in more informed visitors, less recreation related impacts, reduced search and rescue needs, and more resilient parks and protected areas.
Designation is on a five year cycle. Designees will need to submit a short annual report each year and re-designate every five years.
There is a $200 application fee to cover Leave No Trace staff time spent reviewing and verifying the application. Designees also must maintain a Leave No Trace partnership or equivalent agreement.
The best first step is to collect baseline data using the Leave No Trace Assessment.
Leave No Trace consulting services can provide additional assistance in the designation process. Reach out to us at [email protected] for assistance.
Please contact [email protected] for further guidance.
Please contact [email protected] for further guidance.
