Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Environmental Benefits of Hiking – Hiking refers to traversing trails that run through the countryside, mountains, alongside rivers and beaches, etc.

Hiking has numerous benefits for the economy, public health, communities, transportation, and the environment. Hiking is directly linked to nature and is a great way to spread awareness regarding the natural world. It does so by promoting interaction between people and nature. Hiking is one form of nature-human interaction that can be easily accommodated into the modern world.

Hiking instills respect and appreciation for wildlife in people with a drive to conserve flora and fauna across habitats. Hiking also makes possible the conservation of natural parks and trails people enjoy. The land is thus protected and saved from urbanization and deforestation. Let’s explore some ways in which hiking benefits the environment:

Protection of Habitats for Native Plants and Animals through Hiking

Numerous hiking trails are rich in biodiversity. Unique habitats and plants not common in urban spaces can be witnessed while hiking. Hikers help conserve the environment by their continued interest in the trails and the habitats that surround them. People remain on trails and don’t harm animals and the fauna. Authorities and hiking communities are pretty active in encouraging responsible hiking by educating hikers.

Trails play a major role in the preservation of open spaces. Public interest is readily encouraged in the preservation of habitats and natural landscapes. Mother Nature is inherently attractive to humans. And so, we like to occasionally take a break from our busy lives to take a breath of fresh air between the trees and ferns.

Hiking even increases the value of open space to the public by providing access to these spaces., In addition, this raises property values, making urbanization a less likely possibility. Without hiking trails, these areas would be used for timber harvesting, development of urban projects, or other activities that destroy the ecological aspects of these spaces.

Raising Environmental Awareness through Hiking

Trails actively promote the management of natural resources and strategies that help manage these resources. Hikers are often involved in awareness campaigns and increase people’s interest who do not have the time or privilege to go on hikes by posting extensively on blogs and social media. Fundraising for environmental preservation is growing in popularity as people become increasingly aware of environmental issues caused by human activity.

Trails are not only an integral part of the natural environment, but they also link habitats with opportunities for their protection. It does so by:

Increasing foot traffic in these areas
Protection of the ecosystem
Raising funds through campaigning and donations made by philanthropists and others interested in the conservation of natural resources.

Mitigating Pollution Caused by Fossil Fuel Consumption

Hiking encourages cleaner air by decreasing air pollution caused by automobiles because most hikers love biking. It is a trend that is quickly gaining momentum, resulting in eco-friendly modes of alternative transportation.

Hiking also supports local communities and businesses through eco-tourism, where tourists are focused on leaving no trace or carbon footprint while exploring various countries and their natural environment. National parks may entertain skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving, bird watching, stargazing, and numerous other fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy. These activities help generate revenue for local communities while asserting minimal harm to the environment.

Reduced Noise and Light Pollution Due to Hiking

Hiking is extremely close to Mother Nature. Most people don’t even use torches while hiking and rely on natural light from the moon and stars to guide them during the night. Hiking is a more advanced form of nomadic, simple living where less is more. People only take what they can carry on their backs and focus on connecting with nature in its rawest form.

When people are outdoors, enjoying nature in its element, they are not at home consuming energy and increasing their utility bills.

Hiking also reduces noise and light pollution by its mere presence near urban areas. Natural landscapes are safe spaces where people and animals are distant from loud city noises and are only guided by moonlight.

Tools in Research

Research is a continuous process in the modern world. There is never enough information regarding any factor or aspect of nature. Hiking can help conserve ecosystems and indirectly help researchers easily gather data regarding various habitats and unique animals that would otherwise be difficult to access, had hiking trails not been present.

When hiking impacts the land-use policy decisions, it helps researchers have easy access to areas with biodiversity to perform experiments or gather data.

Environmental Classrooms

Hiking trails serve as educational classrooms that provide direct and active interaction with nature. Students can learn valuable information related to habitats, preserve culturally and historically valuable areas, and the natural world on which we depend on for survival.

We are so disconnected from the world that surrounds us in this bubble of cities that entrap us. Hiking provides a safe environment where young people can become curious about and get answers to the various questions that may arise regarding the world in their inquisitive minds.

Children are also taught to generate sustainable habits within themselves, such as recycling, composting, planting trees, etc. while generating interest in environmentally friendly activities such as bird watching, bird feeding, hiking, mountaineering, and scuba-diving, etc. Hiking teaches people to consume less and reduce their carbon footprint. Children will love all of these things in an earlier stage of life.

Conclusion

If we are not careful, hiking can cause wildlife disturbance, trampling of plants, erosion, soil damage, and numerous other environmental hazards. There must be a balance between eco-tourism and the natural world that caters to it. Traffic must be carefully controlled, and proper ethics of hiking must be taught to people with strict supervision so as not to harm the environment negatively.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.