» Leave No Trace
Plan Ahead and Prepare

  • Design your trip to match your kayaking and outdoor skill level.
  • Know the area and what to expect. Find out about camp sites and sensitive animal/bird populations.
  • Select appropriate equipment to help you leave no trace. Lightweight equipment, collapsible water containers and reduced trash help.
  • Repackage Food. Save weight and space, plus reduce potential trash.
  • Travel Skills. Develop your paddling skills, weather awareness, coastal hazard awareness, leadership and first aid training before your trip.

Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces

  • Hike on durable surfaces and spread out when traveling on shore. Hike at low tide on hard sand, gravel or rock in the intertidal zone. Avoid crushing intertidal life.
  • Use trails where they exist.
  • Avoid fragile vegetation.
  • Keep your group small to minimize physical and social impacts.
  • Select durable ground, such as rock, gravel, sand or snow for your campsite. Or camp in designated campsites.
  • Choose a shelter site with a small slope so rainwater can drain.
  • Before departing, make sure your campsite is clean or cleaner than when you arrived.
  • Avoid places where impact is just beginning.
  • Avoid sites and trails that show signs of slight use.
  • Allow time for recovery.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

  • Dispose of trash and garbage properly. Only burn trash if it is completely burnable.

Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out

  • Dispose of human waste properly.
  • Minimize soap and food residues in water.
  • Use soap sparingly when needed.
  • Properly dispose of fish viscera.

Leave What You Find

  • Minimize site alterations.
  • Avoid damaging live trees and plants.
  • Leave natural objects and cultural artifacts.

Minimize Use and Impact of Fires

  • Be aware of regulations and weather conditions
  • Use only dead and downed wood.
  • If there is not a supply of driftwood, collect loose sticks and branches from the ground.
  • In high use areas, use existing fire rings.
  • In remote areas, use appropriate Leave No Trace fire techniques.

For more detailed information on Leave No Trace, visit their website.