Leave No Trace, sometimes written as LNT, is a set of rules that help protect nature. It began in the middle of the 20th century in the United States because people were harming the environment through outdoor activities. In 1994, a non-profit group called the "Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics" was created to develop teaching materials about LNT and to set up the guidelines for LNT into seven principles.

The purpose of the LNT principles is to keep nature unchanged by human activities.

History

By the 1960s and 1970s, outdoor activities became more common because of new equipment like synthetic tents and sleeping pads. More people became interested in the outdoors, leading to a fivefold increase in visitors to national parks between 1950 and 1970, from 33 million to 172 million. Articles discussed how too many people visiting nature could harm it, describing problems like overcrowding, damage to the environment, and the need for better management. To address these issues, rules were created, such as limits on group sizes and where camping was allowed. Some people criticized these rules, saying they reduced the fun and freedom of exploring the wilderness.

The focus then shifted to teaching visitors how to enjoy nature without harming it. The National Park Service (NPS), United States Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trained Wilderness Informational Specialists to educate people about camping with minimal impact. In 1987, these three groups worked together to create a pamphlet titled "Leave No Trace Land Ethics."

At the same time, attitudes about outdoor ethics changed. People moved away from woodcraft, which focused on using natural resources for survival, to treating wilderness as a place to visit with care. Groups like the Sierra Club, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and Boy Scouts of America promoted techniques for leaving nature undisturbed. Companies like REI and The North Face also supported these efforts.

In 1990, the USFS and NOLS developed a national education program called Leave No Trace, working with Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, and programs like Tread Lightly! that focused on protecting nature during motorized activities. The Bureau of Land Management joined the program in 1993, followed by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994.

The number of Leave No Trace principles changed during the 1990s, starting with 75 and later being reduced to 6 as more people contributed ideas. By 1999, the list was finalized as seven principles, which have remained the same since.

Principles

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Know the rules and special needs for the area you will visit. Be ready for bad weather, dangers, and unexpected problems. Choose a time to visit when fewer people are there. Travel in small groups if possible. Split large groups into smaller ones. Use less food packaging to reduce waste. Use a map, compass, or GPS instead of marking trails with paint, rocks, or flags.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Durable surfaces include trails, campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grass, or snow. Camp at least 61 meters (200 feet) away from lakes and streams to protect water areas. Good campsites are already there, not created. Do not change a campsite. In busy areas: Stay on existing trails and campsites. Walk in a single line in the center of trails, even if they are muddy. Keep campsites small. Do activities where there is no plant life. In untouched areas: Spread out to avoid making new campsites or trails. Stay away from places where damage is just starting.

• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Take all trash, food scraps, and litter with you. Check your campsite, food areas, and rest spots for trash. Use toilets if available. If not, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camps, and trails. Put waste in the hole, cover it, and hide it. Take out toilet paper and hygiene items. Wash yourself or dishes with water 200 feet from water sources, using small amounts of biodegradable soap. Pour dishwater into the ground after straining it.

• Leave What You Find
• Protect history: look and take pictures, but do not touch old buildings or items. Leave rocks, plants, and natural objects as you find them. Do not bring or move non-native plants or animals. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig holes.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Campfires can harm the environment. Use a small stove for cooking and a candle lantern for light. If fires are allowed, use existing fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Use only fallen, dry wood that breaks easily by hand. Burn all wood and coals completely, then spread cool ashes.

• Respect Wildlife
• Watch animals from a distance. Do not follow or get close to them. Never feed animals. Feeding animals harms their health, changes their natural habits, makes them used to humans, and puts them in danger. Keep food and trash safe to protect animals. Keep pets under control or leave them at home. Avoid animals during important times like mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
• Respect other visitors and help them enjoy their trip. Be polite. Let others pass on the trail. Walk on the downhill side when meeting pack animals. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other people. Let natural sounds be heard. Avoid loud noises or voices.

Organization

Since 1994, the Leave No Trace program has been managed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, a non-profit organization focused on using the outdoors responsibly and taking care of nature worldwide. The center works to increase awareness, appreciation, and respect for wildlands through education, research, volunteer efforts, and partnerships. It also has a youth education program called Leave No Trace for Every Kid, which helps young people grow and develop skills through outdoor activities and stewardship.

The center partners with groups such as the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, colleges, universities, guide services, small businesses, non-profits, and youth organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and the American Camp Association.

In 2019, more than 20% of the organization's income was given to three members of its board of directors.

There are also formal Leave No Trace organizations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Criticism

Leave No Trace is a widely accepted set of guidelines for protecting nature. However, some people have criticized these guidelines. In 2002, environmental historian James Morton Turner said that Leave No Trace mainly focuses on protecting wilderness areas. He argued that it does not address important issues like the economy, consumerism, and the environment. He also said that Leave No Trace helped connect outdoor adventurers with companies that sell outdoor gear by encouraging them to buy products that advertise Leave No Trace or to use petroleum stoves instead of building natural campfires.

In 2009, Gregory Simon and Peter Alagona said that the Leave No Trace ethic needs to be expanded. They argued that it hides how humans and nature interact over time by making it seem like parks and wilderness areas are untouched and free of human influence. They believe that a new environmental ethic is needed to address the global economy and to change how people interact with nature. They also said that the Leave No Trace logo is used as a brand by outdoor stores, like REI, to promote products.

Simon and Alagona described their new environmental ethic as an expansion of Leave No Trace, not a complete rejection of it. They outlined seven principles for their idea, called "Beyond Leave No Trace":
1. Learn about the places you visit.
2. Buy only what you need.
3. Care for the items you own.
4. Make thoughtful choices about food, equipment, and clothing.
5. Reduce waste.
6. Use less energy.
7. Help protect and restore the places you visit.

In 2012, Simon and Alagona responded to criticism of their 2009 article. They said they still support Leave No Trace but believe it is not enough in today’s world. They noted that Leave No Trace relies on many consumer products, and using these products does not eliminate environmental harm. They also said that Leave No Trace hides these impacts by creating the false idea that it is possible to "leave no trace" at all.

Other critics have said that Leave No Trace is not practical. They argue that it moves environmental harm to other places and hides the effects of making and throwing away outdoor products. They also question how much the ethic influences everyday actions that affect the environment.