Leave No Trace Introduction
August 19, 2023, 10am-12:30pm
Friends’ Ely Office – 8 E. Sheridan St., Ely, MN
Signup: Email Kes Ebbs kes@friends-bwca.org

We encourage everyone to follow Leave No Trace principles when visiting the BWCA. And now you can join us in Ely for several Leave No Trace education sessions! These principles help guide your time in the wilderness towards a minimal impact to ensure its resources are protected for generations to come.

Leave No Trace Principles in Action (Ely)
Introduction to LNT Principles – August 19, 2023, 10am-12:30pm
Leave No Trace Activities – Principles in Action 1 (coming soon)
Leave No Trace Activities – Principles in Action 2 (coming soon)

All experience levels are welcome!  The class 1 is an intro to the principles of Leave No Trace, and classes 2 and 3 facilitate learning the principles through a series of activities.  Come for one or all of the classes.  Please sign up by emailing Kes Ebbs kes@friends-bwca.org

Leave No Trace Principles

The Leave No Trace Center for Environmental Ethics, which encourages people to minimize their impacts and prevent avoidable impacts while enjoying the outdoors, offers the following seven principles of Leave No Trace camping when visiting the wilderness:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
   Take the time to plan and prepare your trip in to Boundary Waters. This will make it more likely that you reach your goals, stay safe, minimize impact and perhaps most importantly, have a good time.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
   Stay on portage trails and only camp in designated spots. This will make it less likely that anyone will notice you were there.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
   Don’t burn your garbage – pack it out! Pack out everything you bring into the wilderness. In addition, it’s vital that you know how to properly wash yourself, your dishes and do what you can to keep the water pristine. Clean water is at the heart of any experience of the Boundary Waters. Let’s keep it that way.
4. Leave What You Find
   Bear skulls, moose antlers and thousands of other knickknacks make the Boundary Waters a magical wilderness. Avoid the temptation of bringing these things home with you. Let others enjoy the charm they bring.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
   Campfires are an essential part of the wilderness experience. Keep fires small and in control.
6. Respect Wildlife
   Remember, we’re visitors to the wilderness. Respect the animal inhabitants. This means properly storing food so that curious bears and hungry chipmunks don’t get into food that isn’t good for them.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
   At any given time, there can be multiple parties camped on a lake. Sound travels surprisingly well over water. Each visitor has plays a big part in keeping the wilderness a peaceful refuge of solace and adventure.