PEAK training in Westminster, CO

On Saturday, we traveled to REI in Westminster, CO to work with locals interested in learning about our PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) program. We were joined by Team West, Jason and Agata, as well as 11 individuals that wanted to gain information about teaching Leave No Trace to kids. During the two hour presentation, we were able to introduce the PEAK Pack and the Teen Pack, and educate the participants on effective teaching strategies and techniques. We had a great time sharing a few activities and learning about the Leave No Trace information. If you are interested in a PEAK training, you can contact your local REI or request a visit from the Traveling Trainers.

Happy adventuring...Kate and Tracy

Picture of the week 1/29/10

Reflecting on the joys of Umpqua Hot Springs as we gear up to hit the road for the 2010 season

Snow on the Mind

Jason and I had the opportunity to get some skiing & snowboarding in at Solitude Resort before the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. It was an epic day with 11 inches of fresh snow, but while getting on the lifts I kept noticing a sign I had never seen at a resort. The general gist of the sign was: "Protect our water, use the facilities provided at the resort." It turns out that 60% of Salt Lake City's water comes from the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and between these two canyons there are four ski resorts that see an enormous amount of recreationists throughout the year.

While deep snow is an excellent durable surface, it's important to remember that it is water and in certain places, like the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons in Salt Lake City, a major source of municipal water. When you're visiting snow covered places, remember the four objectives of proper human waste disposal:

* Avoid polluting water sources
* Eliminate contact with insects and animals
* Maximize the rate of decomposition
* Minimize the chances of social impacts

When possible, use the facilities available! Otherwise, pack out human waste.

All the best...

Agata and Jason

Seeing is believing........

Our old friend Bigfoot was the talk of the town at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer show last weekend in Salt Lake City! The big fella burst onto the scene to kick off the Bigfoot Challenge and was excited to have so many participants take time to share their support for the ethics challenges and take part in the Great Gear Giveaway sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Subaru of America.

If you missed the opportunity to take part in the Ethics Quest at the Outdoor Retailer then check out the monthly Bigfoot Challenge throughout 2010 for a chance to win sweet prizes and of course take part in simple acts of environmental activism and learn Leave No Trace principles.


All the best,

Agata and Jason

Winter Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor enthusiasts, the latest and greatest gear, and Bigfoot sightings, all mixed up in the chaos that is the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, UT, made for a busy but exciting weekend for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics!

The Outdoor Retailer Show is a bi-annual event that showcases the newest gear and trends in the outdoor industry. With over 15,000 people in attendance, this show is a great venue for us to share Leave No Trace education. Our best opportunity to reach people is through the Great Gear Giveaway sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Subaru of America! This year, we had over 500 people take part by testing their Leave No Trace knowledge, as well as taking the Bigfoot Challenge. 18 very happy participants walked away with sweet prize packages that included lots of fabulous gear. Thanks to all the companies that donated products to the Great Gear Giveaway, and to Backpacker Magazine and Subaru of America for sponsoring the event. This was a wonderful kick-off to the 2010 season for the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers!

Safe Travels...Kate and Tracy

Bigfoot is Back in 2010!

By now you have probably noticed that Bigfoot is Back to help us promote responsible outdoor recreation on our favorite trails, waterways, mountains and other outdoor spaces. The elusive Bigfoot leaves no trace of his passing through the wild, but we fortunately have been able to track him down to help us in 2010. He even made a visit to our office last week.

Bigfoot met with Education Director, Ben Lawhon, while visiting the Center.

Bigfoot will be hanging out starting today with our Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City. He will be helping us with a number of different outreach efforts. Keep your eye on Bigfoot over the next four days on Facebook. We will be uploading stories and photos from the show. There ought to be some pretty funny pictures of Bigfoot interacting with the crowd.

You can also get involved in your local area to help Bigfoot promote outdoor ethics, take the Bigfoot Challenge. Each month this year we will be challenging you to take on one simple Leave No Trace action, that will be fun and easy to do. You can follow the challenges and pledge to practice Leave No Trace each month by clicking here. You will also get some great opportunities to win some prizes donated by Leave No Trace partners.

Winter Trails Day

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to take part in Winter Trails Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. The event offered free snowshoe rentals, winter safety presentations, as well as an igloo building demonstration. We shared Leave No Trace information with visitors before they hit the trails and thoroughly enjoyed our first opportunity at outreach at this festive annual event.


We're heading to Salt Lake City to the Outdoor Retailer Show where we hope to get a glimpse of Bigfoot.

Agata and Jason