Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
After a long winter followed by a period of COVID-induced isolation, many of us can’t wait to get back out to experience the wild and cherished places that our watershed has to offer. Of course, we want to be responsible about it, so here are some helpful guidelines based on the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Follow these tips to help keep your family, community, and watershed healthy!
1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
Know Before You Go. Be aware of closures and restrictions. Support local by staying as close to home as possible. Plan your route carefully to minimize stops in public areas. It’s a good idea to be self-contained—pack your own food and supplies, as well as means of washing/disinfecting.
2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES
Stick to the road well-travelled: Stay on designated roads and trails, avoid wet or muddy areas, and use bridges when crossing water. The soil in our semi-arid watershed is very vulnerable to compaction, and our waterways are sensitive to erosion and sediment runoff. By sticking to trails, you will help protect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems from being trampled, prevent the introduction of nonnative species, and reduce erosion. Not only that, you reduce your risk of injury or getting lost—it’s just the smart thing to do!
3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY
For many of us, disinfecting wipes, gloves, masks, etc. have been adopted into our new routines. It’s important that these are disposed of correctly. No one likes a litter bug, and garbage can spoil our enjoyment of an otherwise beautiful view. Ensure these items are discarded in the appropriate receptacles. Despite labels indicating otherwise, wet wipes are not flushable—they clog drains and damage wastewater treatment facilities (look up fatbergs)—and should be disposed of in your garbage bin.
As well, with many communal facilities (like restrooms) remaining closed, be prepared to pack out ALL of your waste.
4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
Our watershed has a rich natural and cultural heritage that is appreciated by people from all over Alberta, Canada, and the world (including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites!). Enjoy wildlife, rocks, trees, cultural artifacts, flowers, etc. in their natural condition and habitats, and allow them to remain for the next family to enjoy. The exception, of course, is litter—extra points for (safely) cleaning up and properly disposing of any garbage you find!
Clean, Drain, Dry your gear, including footwear, hiking poles, tires, boats, paddles, and fishing gear. Not only will decontaminating your gear help prevent the spread of invasive species and pathogens, which can wreak havoc on native ecosystems, storing your gear when it’s clean and dry keeps it in good shape so it lasts longer—it’s win-win!
5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE RISKS
Know and respect fire bans and restrictions. Spring can be a very dry time of year, with last year’s dry vegetation posing a fire risk before the fresh new growth has established. If fires are permitted, use designated fire rings and never leave your fire unattended. Before leaving, make sure your fire is completely out—soak it, stir it, and soak it again. It should be cool enough to put your hand in.
6. RESPECT WILDLIFE
We share our watershed with many wonderful wildlife species—from majestic predators to charming amphibians. As human and wild residents start to stir with the warm spring weather, it’s important to be good neighbours. Keep food and garbage safely stored away from animals or water. For our mutual safety and comfort, be bear aware and remember to give all wildlife plenty of space. Remember; this is their home—we’re just visiting.
Photo: RJ Pisko
7. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS
We all want a chance to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature—it’s good for our physical, mental, and emotional health! Practice good hygiene, wash your hands often, and remember physical distancing still applies. This includes in parking lots, campgrounds, trails, parks, or any other public area.
If you’re on multi-use trails, as a courtesy motorized users yield to nonmotorized users; hikers yield to equestrians, and bicycles yield to both. Keep pets under control, and noise to a minimum (this benefits humans AND wildlife).
Finally, let’s remember that we’re all navigating this strange new world in our own way—a little compassion and understanding can go far! What unites us as Albertans is our love for nature and our pioneer spirit of coming together to help our community. By following these Leave No Trace principles, we can maximize our enjoyment of nature while minimizing our impact.
