The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace are a framework for making good decisions outdoors. Respecting the wildlife in our area is of the utmost importance and that’s why it’s one of these principles. To keep yourself safe and protect the wildlife around you, follow these tips.
- Learn about wildlife through quiet observation. You want to be careful to not disturb wildlife and plant life. This will minimize your impact on the environment.
- Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. You want to be cautious and quiet for everyone’s safety. While there are some exceptions to this, animals can be disturbed by loud, unfamiliar noises.
- Sick or wounded animals can send you to the hospital. You may want to help an injured animal, but this could unintentionally harm them. Notify the game warden instead of directly interacting with the animal.
- Considerate campers observe wildlife from afar. You are a visitor and this is the home to plant and wild life. Don’t forget to safely store all food and trash when camping.
- Allow animals free access to water sources. Keep your camp 200 feet or more from water sources and avoid them at night to give animals space to drink.
- Washing and human waste disposal must be done carefully. We want to avoid pollution in areas with scarce water and observe proper waste etiquette when sharing space with wildlife.
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© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org
In Partnership with Leave No Trace and the Colorado Office of Tourism / Care for Colorado program.