why do i exist

Outdoor ethics

Outdoor Code

As an American I will do my best to
be clean in my outdoor manners
be careful with fire
be considerate in the outdoors
be conservation minded

Leave No Trace

Plan ahead and prepare

• Know special regulations and concerns for the area you'll visit
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies
• Avoid times of high use
• Visit in small groups, splitting large groups if necessary
• Use map and compass or GPS instead of marking paint, rock cairns, or flagging

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

• Durable surfaces are designated campsites trails, rock, gravel, sand, dry grass, or snow
• Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams
• Don't alter campsites
• Popular areas
  • Concentrate on existing trails and campsites
  • Walk single file in te middle of a trail even if wet or muddy
  • Keep campsites small
  • Focus on areas without vegetation
• Pristine areas
  • Disperse use to prevent creation of campsites and trails
  • Avoid places where impacts are beginning

Dispose of waste properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect campsites, food preparation areas, and rest areas. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
• Utilize toilet facilities. Otherwise, use catholes 6 to 8 inches deep at lest 200 feet away from water, camp, and trails
• To wash dishes use small amounts of biodegradable soap at least 200 feet away from streams or lakes

Leave what you find

• Do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts
• Leave natural objects as you find them
• Avoid introducing non native species
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches

Minimize campfire impacts

• Use lightweight stoves for cooking and lanterns for light instead of campfires
• Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fire
• Keep fires small
• Only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out fire completely, scatter cool ashes

Respect wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach.
• Don't feed animals
• Store rations and trash securely
• Control pets or don't bring them
• Avoid wildlife during mating, nesting, raising young, or winter

Be considerate of other visitors

• Yield to others on the trail
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors
• Avoid loud noises

Tread lightly!

Travel responsibly: stay on designated roads, trails, and areas. Go over obstacles, not around them., Cross streams at designated fords. Launch watercraft in designated areas and stay on designated waterways. Put boats on sand instead of a shore with vegetation.

Respect the rights of others: don't disturb others with noise. Leave gates as you found them. Yield on trails. If there are people on horseback move to the downhill side of the trail.

Educate yourself: study maps of the areas and know regulations. Be sure you can handle all equipment safely. Carry adequate supplies.

Avoid sensitive areas: stay on designated routes. Avoid meadows, lakeshores, wetlands, streams, and historical sites. Don't get close to wild animals. Avoid nesting and breeding areas.

Do your part: leave an area better than you found it. Dispose of waste properly, minimize fire, repair damaged areas, and avoid transporting invasive species. Practice catch and release fishing using artificial lures and barbless single hooks.

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