Fort Pickens sets ‘Leave No Trace’ workshops

“In the backcountry, we may not always find designated fire rings at our disposal,” the Leave No Trace website, lnt.org, states. “In this case, the fire pan is an excellent tool to have a Leave No Trace campfire.”

GULF BREEZE — Gulf Islands National Seashore will welcome Subaru / Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers and Ocean Hour for a day of learning about outdoor ethics and citizen science. 

The event will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 in the Fort Pickens area. It will include workshops and presentations on outdoor ethics and a beach cleanup.

Information booths will be set up at the Fort Pickens Discovery Center (formally known as the museum). Outdoor enthusiasts will learn the latest techniques and practices, along with tools and tips for teaching Leave No Trace to friends and family. Ocean Hour will lead a beach clean-up. Subaru / Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will use games and other activities to teach kids how they can embrace the effort.

Throughout the day, tables and booths in the auditorium of the Fort Pickens Discovery Center will offer information about citizen science, outdoor ethics and community engagement. Park rangers will present games and activities for kids to earn their Junior Ranger Badge.

Eastern National, a not-for-profit cooperating association that runs the Fort Pickens Bookstore, will offer discounts to event participants. Discounts apply for reusable items to help guests reduce their footprint on the outdoor world.

 

The seven ‘Leave No Trace’ principles aim to reduce human impact on the natural world. They include:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

See https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles for more information on each principle.

FYI

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fort Pickens sets ‘Leave No Trace’ workshops