Picture of the Week 12/23/11

Chopping wood for the winter

Happy Trails To You!

Professional Development Day 2011

As we bid farewell to the year 2011, we are reflecting on the many successes of the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer program.  For the past two seasons, we have had the pleasure of working with two fantastic colleagues.  As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.  We wish only the best to our associates who are moving on to their next great adventure.  Thank you Jason and Agata Ketterick for all of your hard work.  We look forward to seeing where the trail takes you and never stop making teeny tiny shadow puppets in your tent!

Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy

Picture of the Week 12/16/11

Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA

Bigfoot's Shopping Spree

Checking out the tubes for fun on the hill!

Freeport, ME.  While we were at LL Bean last week, we noticed some strange activity throughout the store.  

Bigfoot loves the warm Bean flannels!

 Every where we looked, crowds of people we watching as Bigfoot came to take care of some of his holiday shopping.  LL Bean is one of the top stores where Bigfoot can find all kinds of outdoor products.  And because they support Leave No Trace, Bigfoot gets even more excited!
Where else will Bigfoot shop this year?  Check out the list of companies and organizations that support Leave No Trace through partnership here.  Keep these companies in mind as you do your holiday shopping this year!

Why not just a little more fur?

Taking a rest after a long day of shopping

Explore Responsibly...Kate, Tracy, and Bigfoot

Backyard Session in Maine

Freeport, ME. Team East traveled to LL Bean's Flagship store to take part in a Leave No Trace Backyard Session. Hosted by the Maine Steering Committee, this session brought together 45 key volunteers from across the state of Maine. The energy in the room was exhilarating as the group discussed ways to increase training opportunities and awareness of Leave No Trace within their communities. In the photo to the left, Marcia and Gabe Williamson, former Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers and current Maine State Advocates, lead a brainstorming sessions on ways to strengthen and promote Leave No Trace in the state of Maine.

Attending the meeting were representatives from local schools and universities, such as Colby College and the University of Maine, Council leaders from the Boy Scouts of America and US Girl Scouts, staff and volunteers from Maine Island Trails Association and other local conservation groups, the Nature Conservancy and Saco River Recreation Council, local summer camps, and the Maine Bureau of Land Management, just to name a few. It was amazing to see such a diverse group of outdoor enthusiasts and educators come together and share ideas.

As a special thank you to everyone for volunteering their time to participate in the Backyard Session, partners of Leave No Trace donated some fun gear to raffle off at the end of the workshop. Included were materials from the Leave No Trace store, Outdoor Research T-shirts, RestStop Portable Toilets Systems, and one lucky winner walked away with a Keen Shoe gift card!

A special thank you to Charlie Jacobi, Marcia and Gabe Williamson, and the rest of the steering committee for hosting such a rewarding Backyard Session. Also, thank you to LL Bean, a long-time supporter of Leave No Trace, for providing a space for the session!

Explore Responsibly...Kate & Tracy

Picture of the Week 12/2/11

Heading to San Francisco, CA for our last event - The North Face Endurance Challenge!

Team West At The North Face Endurance Challenge

San Francisco, California -

This coming weekend brings the last event for Team West in the 2011 Traveling Trainer season at The North Face Endurance Challenge. The North Face has long been a strong advocate for promoting responsible outdoor recreation and has generously supported Leave No Trace over the years. Team West will be on site all weekend to provide information and educational materials to all the participants, friends, and family who have come out to support their favorite racers.

One of the many celebrities on the guest list this weekend will be our mascot (see photo above) Bigfoot, and the rumor is he will be out and about for the Karno Kids Race! Stop by and learn more about enjoying the outdoors with Leave No Trace in mind.

See you at the race,

Jason and Agata