NYSDEC Announcement: Practice Leave No Trace

Camping? Practice Leave No Trace

Sent to us by the NYSDEC Daily Bulletin:

“Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks. Use proper trail etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and others and tread lightly!

Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Camping is a favorite summer pastime of many outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also a great introduction to outdoor experiences. Interest in camping has increased this season as people seek safe, socially distant options for getting away from home. In addition to DEC-operated campgrounds, the Adirondacks offers many primitive camping opportunities. Wherever you choose to camp, stick to durable surfaces and limit your impacts by following these tips:

• Avoid campsite creep. Whether you’re at a campground or a designated primitive site, avoid increasing the overall footprint of your site by keeping tents, all other gear, and your activity on the hardened ground and off adjacent vegetation.
• Respect ‘No Camping’ areas. DEC will occasionally close primitive campsites to allow the area to regenerate. If you see a no camping sign or marker, move on to an area where camping is allowed.
• Choose backcountry sites carefully. Some areas of the Adirondacks allow at-large camping, or camping outside of designated sites. Using designated sites when possible is preferred, as it helps to limit new impacts on the land. If you must make your own site, pick a spot at least 150 feet from any trail, road, summit, waterway or water body. Find an area that looks durable, like it could withstand a night of camping without too many lasting negative impacts. Keep your site small and leave it as you found it.
• Use designated facilities when available. If there is an outhouse or a bathroom available, use that instead of the bushes around your site. This helps keep sites clean and protects the plants and wildlife around your site.
• Hang hammocks with care. If you prefer hammocks to tents, pad the straps or put something soft between the straps and the tree to protect fragile bark.”

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