Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Preserving the Environment:: The best way to cure burnout is reconnecting with nature. Going for a walk, sitting under the sun, or lazing around on a beach are some of the luxuries we can indulge in when taking a break.

One activity that is slightly rigorous and demands a certain level of fitness is hiking. Waking up early to hike along a trail to catch a sunrise or sunset is one of the most rewarding feelings ever. It instantly lights up your mood, provides you with the endorphins you need while giving you a much-needed workout.

However, hiking, much like other activities, has some etiquettes that are non-negotiable. This is because hiking is done mostly on natural trails, which are part of a bigger ecosystem of that particular area. So naturally, this means there are flora and fauna that consider the trail their home. Therefore they mustn’t be disturbed by the hikers’ presence or whatever they do on the trail.

Therefore, the onus of protecting the environment is on hikers, who should be well versed in ways to protect the environment.

10 Tips to Preserve the Environment

1. Learn trail rules

Before you plan to go for a hike, the first thing you should do is to research a bit about your chosen trail. Today, most trails have an online presence on websites or on social media where you can learn their rules and regulations. This is an important step in preserving the environment because you will know what is allowed on the trail. Hence, preparing beforehand can save you and the hiking trails a lot of trouble.

2. Leave no trace

This is one of the guiding principles that all hikers should know about. It has seven principles that are more or less similar to this list. But put, the principle calls for nothing but footprints that should be left behind after a hike. In addition, any item hikers bring, such as camping bags, tools, torches, and even food, should be packed up and taken home. We recommend you follow the Leave No Trace organization.

3. Protect water resources

Hiking trails may have some water resources, such as a stream or a waterfall. These water bodies usually serve as resources for animals living in that area. While it is fine to use them for drinking and washing purposes, it is not good to pollute the water resources with plastic or other items that are not natural to the environment. Doing so may result in algae bloom or toxins that may harm marine life. In addition to this, all animals that drink from that water resource may be at risk if the water is extremely polluted.

4. Keep your dog in check

One of the ways that hikers can have company on hiking trails is by bringing their dogs. They are a good addition to the hike as they can provide security along with some fun. However, some trails do not allow dogs. Others may allow them but on a leash. Therefore, a hiker’s duty should be to ensure they comply with the rules of the trail they have chosen. Furthermore, they should also be vigilant about their dog’s activities while hiking. It should not harm plants or the animals on the trail.

5. Don’t use plastic

One of the worst ways to pollute the environment is using and throwing plastic. It is the only item that takes about 1000 years to decompose, causing it to be present in abundance in landfills. There is no denying that it makes life easy, especially when you’re hiking, but it is extremely damaging to the environment and the animals. Not only this, but plastic hampers the beauty of a trail, which is one of the many reasons why hikers enjoy hiking.

6. Don’t take Mementos

You may be tempted to pluck a beautiful flower or an exotic plant species while hiking. Or you may even come across a beautiful pebble that you might want to take home. But this behavior is not encouraged as it goes against hike etiquettes. If all hikers take home a little keepsake from each hike, the chances of a hiking trail becoming empty and barren increase significantly. Think of it as your home, and then you probably won’t be tempted to take things out of their natural environment.

7. Leave fauna alone

You may come across unique birds and animals while hiking. While it is okay to be awed, it is not good to capture or hunt them down. This is not allowed on hiking trails as it causes an imbalance in the biodiversity of that area. If you want to go hunting, then there are other setups where it is allowed.

8. Bring your meal

One of the ways to ensure that you are preserving the environment, in the long run, is to bring a home-cooked meal to the trail. It does not only save you time, but it also protects the trail from a potential fire, the chances of which increase if there is any cooking or heating involved.

9. Don’t litter

This is a basic etiquette that applies in all settings. Whether it is a park, a water body, or a hiking trail, littering is the worst habit. It not only burdens the cleaner taking care of the place, but it also affects its beauty. Hikers can ensure they don’t resort to littering by carrying a disposable bag to store litter that they can dispose of later.

The Bottom Line

Ensuring that our activities does not harm the environment is a big responsibility. However, that does not mean we don’t adopt ethical practices which benefit the environment. Instead, it is becoming increasingly depressing to witness biodiversity loss, pollution of ocean waters, and barren lands globally due to human activity. In such a backdrop, taking care of our environment by following these precautions is a task that falls squarely on us. Therefore, hikers should incorporate these tips in their hiking journey and inspire others to follow them.

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.