by Eric Fies, Leave No Trace Master Educator
Standing in the shadow of the Colosseum, marveling at its timeless architectural magnificence, the sounds of traffic along the Piazza del Colosseo fade and you are transported back in time, a pilgrim among the Romans. Bathed in perfect Italian sunshine, you approach the incredible arched entrance, the roar of 50,000 spectators inside electrifies the very air you breathe, elevates your heart rate, and calls you in to observe the contrived spectacle of the games. Then, abruptly, you are forced back to the present with the unwelcome sight of 2 tourists carving their initials into the 2,000-year-old structure with a coin to snap a selfie and impress their friends.
The sense of discovery that one experiences in nature should remain untarnished. It is the phenomenon that calls us into the wild and brings other pilgrims to stand beside us in awe and wonder at the miracles of our world. We can preserve this experience by minimizing the signs of humankind and by protecting the archaeological artifacts that tell our collective story. It is a promise to our planet and a commitment to the unborn.
Leave No Trace Principle #4 is Leave What You Find and will help you keep that promise. The bottom line is simple: leave it as you find it. When establishing your camp, do not dig trenches or construct chairs, tables, or make other obvious human improvements to nature. Take care when hanging your bear bag or tying tent guy-lines to avoid damaging trees, and use a sleeping pad instead of cutting down boughs for your bed as if you were a contestant on some survival reality television show.
When your passion calls to you, choose not to pick those beautiful flowers for presentation to that special someone. Rather, present them with a stunning photograph or capture them in a sketch reflecting your loving eye and artistic ability. For those experienced backcountry explorers, natural healers, and aficionada of the forest’s spice rack, be sure not to deplete the supply or damage plants that are slow to reproduce.
Would-be geologists and archeologists should follow the previous guidance, carry out their finds in sketches or photographs, and leave the areas they visit pristine. Natural objects establish the ambience of discovery and exploration. Leave those antlers, petrified wood, and colorful rocks for others to experience, and remember that in many parks it is illegal to remove natural objects. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act protects cultural artifacts. Do not remove or disturb historic sites or pieces, such as arrowheads, pottery shards, or even antique bottles.
Leave No Trace knows no geopolitical border, is unimpeded by language barriers and unaligned theologically, but completely dependent on the dedication of those who choose to explore our natural world ethically. Allow others to make their pilgrimage in peace, experience discovery, and commune with the wilds and wonders of nature. In closing, I share with you the very appropriate and profound words from one of my favorite songs, Nothing But by John Kay:
They say that true paradise lies in the heart of Man
That may be so, but I’m ready once more
To run for the cover of my secret hiding place
Where I can burn all the memories of war.
Sometimes it’s mountain lakes, high in the Sierras
Sometimes the peaceful shore of Hana Bay
And I’ll take you with me to share every moment
If you will just promise to do what I say:
Bring nothing but silence
Show nothing but grace
Seek nothing but shelter
From the great human race
Take nothing but pictures
Kill nothing but time
Leave nothing but footprints
To show you came by.
So very few places that man hasn’t scarred
Taken for granted or taken in vain
I wonder, my child, as we lie here beneath the stars
What will be left for your children to claim.
Maybe someday you’ll be walking on Venus
Maybe someday you may live in the sea
Remember I taught you to love Mother Nature
For it was she who once gave you to me.
Promise me, my friends: explore responsibly!
Join the fun and follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RangerFies. To learn more, please visit www.explorenorthstar.com.
Note: The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Any copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.