Picture of the Week 10/28/11: Caption Contest!

Caption Contest: How would you title this photo?

Leave No Trace in the San Juan Islands

Lopez Island - San Juan Islands, WA

Sometimes it's not how many students are in a classroom that matters, but instead what they do with the information they have learned that counts most. Last weekend Team West was fortunate enough to share outdoor ethics educational programs with members of the Lopez Island community who directly work with the general public across a variety of environments.

In attendance were representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (Spokane District), San Juan County Land Bank, Lopez Island Conservation Corp, Washington State Parks (Spencer Spit State Park), and Whispers of Nature.

The photo above catches up with our crew on the beach talking through a few of the teachable moments that Leave No Trace speaks to with respect, science, and a little common sense.

Many thanks to our friends Nick and Susie Teague for hosting Leave No Trace and introducing us to so many fellow educators and outdoor enthusiasts!

All the best,

Jason and Agata

Stick 'Em Up!

Bigfoot Warns: Take My Challenge!

With bubble gun in hand, Bigfoot "threatens" all outdoor enthusiasts to spend two minutes taking The Bigfoot Challenge.  The end of October is right around the corner, so time is running out to win quality product from KEEN  Here are this month's challenges:

1. On Halloween pick up 1 stray candy wrapper for every year of your age, challenge your friends to do the same.
2. Download a free PEAK activity from the Leave No Trace website and volunteer to teach a 15-25 minute segment to kids at a local school or youth group. Downloadable PEAK activities can be found at the bottom left of the webpage:
3. Take back 15 minutes of your day and just go outside! Grab a friend and take the 15 minute Keen Recess Pledge! After recess, try to leave your “playground” in better condition than you found it.
4. Score a $150 gift card toward Keen gear by becoming a Leave No Trace member at the Wanderer level ($171.60

If one of these simple tasks is jumping out at you as easily achievable, then take the challenge and become a steward of the land.  Yes, it is that easy! 

Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy

Le Petite Roche

Little Rock, AR.  It was a whirlwind tour through Central Arkansas.  We had many successful events in both Little Rock and North Little Rock, working with the Parks and Recreation Departments, local boy scout troops, and volunteers of the Arkansas River Trail.  We were fortunate to meet the mayor of North Little Rock, Patrick Henry Hays, who attended our Backyard Session, held at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, and our awareness workshop at Burns Park in North Little Rock.
We woke before dawn to speak on Daybreak, the early morning news in Little Rock.  Click here to see our video clip of that interview.
To end the weekend, we traveled to Damascus, AR to be guest presenters at the Quapaw Area Council Leave No Trace Trainer Course held at the state of the art Donald W. Reynolds Training Center on the Blass Scout Reservation.  We want to thank all of the Leave No Trace Master Educators of the Quapaw Council for their hard work in training and educating the scouts and leaders of Central Arkansas in Leave No Trace.  You guys rock!
With so many events in the area, it was no surprise that Bigfoot joined in on the fun.  Check out some of the photos above.
One final thank you to Rob Stephens for being a stellar event host!  We look forward to returning to Central Arkansas for future events.
Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy

Picture(s) of the Week 10/21/11

Seattle, Washington -
EarthCorps Trainer Course in Warren G. Magnuson Park on the shores of Lake Washington.

All the best,

Jason and Agata

Calling All Arkansas Leave No Tracers!

Rollin and Strollin on the Arkansas River Trail

Little Rock Arkansas.  The Traveling Trainers will be providing four chock-full days of outreach in Central Arkansas.  Prominent Boy Scouts of America Council Advocate and Leave No Trace Master Educator, Rob Stephens, has worked diligently on the logistics for each of the upcoming events.  We will be providing awareness workshops, facilitating a Leave No Trace Backyard Session, setting up a booth for trailhead outreach (at both Pinnacle Mountain State Park and The Big Dam Bridge) , running in A Race For the Cure 5K, and even making an appearance on the local news on Friday morning!  For more information on times and dates, click here for the specifics of Team East's schedule.  If you live in the area, we'd love to see you at one of our events!
Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy

The North Face Speaker Series Features Ingrid Backstrom

Seattle, Washington - Last week Team West was in the Pacific Northwest with local legend Ingrid Backstrom and Leave No Trace partner The North Face. Ingrid spoke in Olympia and Seattle on consecutive evenings about her inspirations and adventures as one of the top all mountain skiers in the world.

In the photo above a few members of the team from The North Face, Alpine Experience, and Leave No Trace get together before the speaker series kicks off in Olympia, Washington!

What makes events like The North Face Speaker Series unique is the opportunity for outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all ages to access and enjoy the "stoke" alongside the athletes who are members of The North Face team! Ingrid's accomplishments and accolades are only eclipsed by her humility and indefatigably positive attitude throughout all her adventures.

Stay tuned to the upcoming calendar with The North Face Speaker Series in your area to connect with an event that will make your year and get you stoked to get into the mountains!

All the best,

Jason and Agata