Picture of the week 11/27/09

Taking in the view from Wasson Peak in Saguaro National Park

Boulder Parks and Recreation fun

Last week we visited the North Boulder Recreation Center to work with students in the Youth Services Initiative after school program.  This program serves over 150 youth from Boulder and offer programs such as fitness, homework club, cultural awareness, and outdoor adventure trips.  This was such an exciting group to work with!  During our two visits, we played a variety of activities to explore the principles of Leave No Trace.  On Tuesday, "How Long Does It Last?" sparked interesting conversation about the litter that is seen in the outdoors all too often.  This was followed by a fun game of "Step On It", where the group explored durable surfaces.  Friday, we got the kids up and running with a new activity we call "Impact Monster Swarm".  Energy levels were high as we completed two fun-filled workshops with the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department.  

As traveling trainers, we are doing a lot of workshops outside of Colorado.  This was a nice opportunity to work locally with a dynamic and wonderful program.  Thanks to Chris Schenck for all his efforts in setting up this event!

Safe travels...Kate and Tracy

A Few of Our Memories

Before we say our final good-byes, we wanted to share a few of our memories from the past three years with you...

Picture of the week 11/20/09

Hiking in the Mount Olympus Wilderness Area in Utah

Rocky Road

We facilitated a Leave No Trace Trainer Course in Acadia National Park earlier this year. It was a great course with lots of discussions about outdoor ethics! One conversation that came up during the principle of "Leave What You Find" was the practice of rock stacking. It was the first time that this issue had ever been brought up during one of our courses and opinions ranged from finding rock stacks beautiful to offensive. At the time, we had not given much thought to the carefully balanced rocks we had occasionally seen along trails.

So, why months later are we still contemplating the question of rock stacking? Well, we recently had the opportunity to hike in Bryce Canyon National Park and came across a portion of trail that was covered with thousands of rocks balancing upon each other. The sight immediately brought to mind the "Leave What You Find" conversation we had back in Acadia National Park and we could see why there had been such varied feelings towards the activity. While one artfully balanced rock stack can be quite beautiful, seeing these stacks in such a large quantity in a national park felt somewhat disconcerting.

What are your thoughts on rock stacking?

Hats off to JD and Emily

As we close the door on the 2009 Traveling Trainer season, we want to take a moment to celebrate our fellow Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer team JD Tanner and Emily Ressler.  JD and Emily have spent the past 3 years criss-crossing the country providing quality education and outreach to millions of outdoor enthusiasts.  They are truly a dynamic duo that we were fortunate to have been able to share this Traveling Trainer experience with.  We know that their dogs, Arnie and Aspen, will be happy to have them home, but life in the world of Leave No Trace will not be the same without them.  They will be missed next year and we wish them the best in their future adventures!

Did you have a chance to meet JD and Emily on their travels?  We want to hear about it!  Post a comment or shoot us an email (kateandtracy@lnt.org)  and we will post your stories! 

Safe travels...Kate and Tracy

National Parks Waive Fees for Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11

From the National Park Service ...

National Parks Waive Fees for Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11

Date: November 5, 2009
Contact: Mike Litterst, Public Affairs Officer, 757-898-2409

Yorktown, Va. – To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has declared that areas managed by the department will not charge entrance fees on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Included in the fee-free day are all National Park Service sites, including the Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield units of Colonial National Historical Park.

“The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” said Salazar said “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee-free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harms way.”

As an agency of the Interior Department, the National Park Service preserves and protects 392 units representing some of the country’s most significant scenic and cultural places. The National Park Service website provides information on National Park Service battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate the service of American veterans.

Free entrance on Veterans Day applies also at other areas managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.

More Info ( + )

Picture of the Week: 11/06/09

JD Tanner in Capitol Reef National Park