THE SUBARU/LEAVE NO TRACE TRAVELING TRAINER PROGRAM
Currently in its 12th year, the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, 2 teams of professional outdoor educators, have reached over 10 million people in 48 states with Leave No Trace education and training.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Southeast Send Off!
All over AR. For the past three months, we have traveled all over the Southeast providing outreach and workshops to more than 25 schools, universities, organizations, and land management agencies. All though Arkansas expands our reach to just west of the Mississippi River, we experienced some creative groups that are benefiting from the Leave No Trace Program. We spent three days at Lake Dardanelle State Park, which provides interpretive programs to visitors at the park. Take a look at the photo below: The park rents out backpacks for families looking for interesting and educational activities to fill their time while at the lake. Notice the Leave No Trace hang tag attached to the pack!
Jennifer Hazelrigs and Scott Dirksen-Lyon College were excited to see Bigfoot come out for the Saturday morning trail run! |
We led a three hour skills workshop, with a surprise guest! |
Horseshoe Canyon had many goats, horses, dogs, and mules that call the Ranch home. We were shocked to have two horses join us at our workshop, first time for that! This would not be the last time we see horses this week...
Tracy, Jacque, Kate and Rob in Snowball, AR. |
We finished up our time in Arkansas on horseback! We spent the day with Rob Stephens, BSA/Leave No Trace all around champion, and Jacque Alexander, Leave No Trace/Backcountry Horseman of America advocate, as well as other members of BCH of Arkansas for a trail ride along the Buffalo River National Park. 15 miles later, we enjoyed river crossings, wildflowers in bloom, and riding along the painted bluffs, all the while making friends with everyone including "Dakota and Shorty". Thank you to Jacque, Rob, and all of the ladies on the ride. Oh what a day-Glorious!
As we head towards the Northeast, we reflect on all of our events the past few months since the 2012 season began and look forward with great anticipation for the next three months in the Northeast!
Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy
Monday, April 23, 2012
Lunch Spot of the Week
Friday, April 20, 2012
Yearning for Higher Learning
San Bernardino Area, CA:
This week Team West had the pleasure of spending time with two extremely active student recreation programs. We spent Tuesday at Pomona College with their Outdoor Education Center staff and adventuring members. Thursday we joined CSU San Bernardino's Recreational Sports department for another set of campus outreach and workshops.
Listening to, and talking with these student driven groups our hopes are that these outgoing members will take up the charge of getting fellow classmates out of doors and practicing Leave No Trace. These recreation programs will provide access to gear and excursions that would otherwise be out of reach either monetarily or logistically. The chance to sea-kayak, rock climb, backpack, paddle-board or bike in an encouraging peer filled environment is a perfect place to foster a blossoming outdoor ethic. Leading by example these groups have the power to show hundreds of students each year that the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace help provide for a better outdoor experience for everyone. Not only on a burly expedition, but from the dorm room to the campus quad too.
Recreate your recreation.
Mark and Tara
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Natural State of Arkansas Tech and Beyond
Wildflowers abound in Arkansas |
Russellville, AR. Team East spent the past two days working with students and faculty at Arkansas Tech University. An educational partner of Leave No Trace, Arkansas Tech strives to promote Leave No Trace within the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Hospitality Administration. Nestled in the western part of Arkansas, Russellville is within close proximity to many beautiful lakes, forests, waterfalls, caverns, and mountains. The "Natural State" truly offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy natures playground. Students at Arkansas Tech can access the Ozark National Forest, Hot Springs National Park, numerous Army Corp of Engineer waterways such as Lake Dardanelle, the Buffalo National River Wilderness, along with numerous state parks including Mount Magazine- the highest point between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains.
Bulletin Board at Arkansas Tech |
We thank Dr. Glen Bishop for bringing the Traveling Trainer Program to Arkansas Tech! His enthusiasm for protecting the "Natural State" is contagious and we are very excited to explore what this area has to offer.
We will be at Lake Dardanelle State Park all weekend providing training opportunities for the staff, outreach to the public, and evening campfire programs both Friday and Saturday nights! Come on down!
Respect the Resource...Kate & Tracy
Leapin' Lizards!
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA:
Last week Team West spent a few hours with Park Rangers from all over the County of San Diego. The collective will be returning to their individual parks and sites with strategies and tactics of how to best connect the messages of Leave No Trace into their visitors' experiences. Getting together with this many rangers and sharing their personal struggles and successes in the challenging task of leading park guests toward their own sense of stewardship is an awesome venue for teaching and learning Leave No Trace.
After our training we snatched the opportunity to stroll the paths at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center. Contrasting its proximity to some major roads and development the lagoon is an absolute oasis of life. A short walk revealed shore birds, waders, ducks, spiders, hummingbirds, and flowers. By far the most obvious form of animal life were the scores of lizards sunning themselves in the sweet Southern California sun.
Recreate your recreation.
Mark and Tara
Monday, April 9, 2012
And The Crowd Goes Wild!!!
Have you ever witnessed a user created shortcut along trail switchbacks? While these additional trails may look harmless, unnecessary erosion occurs, thereby damaging the actual trail. In addition, vegetation alongside the trail, which may be home to sensitive wildlife habitats including plants and animals, gets trampled as the trail is widened. Leave No Trace recommends to avoid cutting trail switchbacks as you travel along the established trail.
Going up! The trail goes to the right, the shortcut to the left. |
Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)