Seven green deeds of the great outdoors
Carpooling, packing lunches in reusable containers and composting – all are small measures that can be incorporated into a daily routine for making a long-term difference to preserve the environment.
As summer approaches, kids and adults alike will shift into vacation mode. School and work make way to activities like hiking through the woods, overnight camping in the countryside and sitting around a bonfire to enjoy the wilderness. But along with the fun comes responsibility for potential impact on the environment.
This year, Toshiba of Canada and Scouts Canada have partnered to promote a program called Leave No Trace. It provides guidelines to Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts on how Canadians can reduce their environmental impact when they hike, camp, picnic and swim.
“Through Scouting, I can participate in outdoor activities year-round,”said Jessica Page, Deputy Executive Commissioner (Youth), in British Columbia, Scouts Canada. “Leave No Trace means I can take pride in making sure future campers get to experience the same beauty I see today.”
The Toshiba of Canada and Scouts Canada Leave No Trace program offers seven principles on how you can continue the momentum on environmental gains by minimizing your environmental footprint outdoors.
1. Plan ahead and prepare – Repackage food to minimize waste.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces – Protect riparian areas by camping at least 70 metres from lakes and streams.
3. Dispose of waste properly – Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
4. Leave what you find – Preserve the past. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
5. Minimize campfire impacts – Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely and then scatter cool ashes.
6. Respect wildlife – Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviours and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
7. Be considerate of others – Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Let nature’s sounds prevail.
Learn more about the Leave No Trace program at www.scouts.ca/LNT
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