Leave No Trace

New England’s landscapes are more than just scenic—they’re ecosystems, historical treasures, and gathering places for hikers, campers, paddlers, and families. From the rocky shores of Acadia to the hardwood forests of the Berkshires, and from the alpine ridges of the White Mountains to the salt marshes of Cape Cod, these environments deserve our care and respect. That’s where the Leave No Trace principles come in. Practicing them ensures that New England’s wild places stay wild—for us, for wildlife, and for future generations.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Whether you’re solo hiking in the mountains or picnicking with friends at a park, these principles help minimize human impact.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare - Know the area you’re visiting—check weather forecasts, trail conditions, and park rules. Preparation helps reduce risk, prevent damage, and makes your trip more enjoyable.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - Stick to established trails, campsites, and rock or gravel surfaces to avoid damaging vegetation and fragile ecosystems—especially important in alpine zones and coastal dunes.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly - Pack it in, pack it out. This includes food scraps, wrappers, toilet paper, and pet waste. Many popular spots in New England, like Franconia Ridge or the Cape Cod National Seashore, are heavily trafficked and need extra care to stay clean.

4. Leave What You Find - New England is filled with historical and natural artifacts—stone walls, wildflowers, bird nests, and more. Leave them as you find them for others to enjoy, and to preserve the ecological balance.

5. Minimize Campfire Impact - Use camp stoves or established fire rings where allowed. Firewood should be local (to prevent the spread of invasive pests), and fires should be kept small, monitored, and fully extinguished.

6. Respect Wildlife - Keep a safe distance and never feed animals. Whether it’s a fox darting across a trail or loons nesting on a lake, our presence should never stress or endanger wildlife.

7. Be Considerate of Others - New England trails can be busy. Yield to others, keep noise down, and follow trail etiquette. If you’re hiking with dogs or in groups, stay aware of how your presence affects others’ experiences.

Teaching Kids Leave No Trace

Children are curious and observant, making these principals easy to teach through behavior modeling and playful, age-appropriate discussions!

Here are some ways to make Leave No Trace fun and meaningful for kids:

• Get Them Involved in Planning

  • Talk to kids about how to plan an adventure

  • Let kids choose the trail and look at a map of where they will be going

  • Show kids how to check the weather and what to look for

  • Practice packing for a hike or let them pack their backpack for an outing

  • Talk to them about what they think they should pack to stay safe and comfortable

  • Read books about kids going on an adventure and point out what the characters have with them

• Make Staying on the Trail a Game

  • Use string or tape to make a “trail” at home and let them practice staying “on the trail”

  • Draw a hiking trail on paper and let them decorate the areas around it with what they will protect by staying on trail

• Encourage Observation, Not Collection

  • Give them a journal to sketch or describe what they find, rather than taking leaves, rocks, or feathers home

  • Provide them with a camera to take photographs of what they find along the trail

  • Let kids use binoculars (or make some out of two toilet paper tubes!) to bring along and use for observation

  • Make a Scavenger Hunt board and let them cross off the things they find

• Give Them Stewardship Roles and Model Stewardship

  • Assign a “litter scout” job or let them lead a mini cleanup hike

  • Read a book like Michael Recycles or Litterbug Doug and practice identifying what goes in the trash vs. recycling vs. compost at home

  • If you see trash, pick it up. If other hikers are passing, talk about how to be kind to others on the trails

• Use Stories and Imagination

  • Talk about how animals rely on clean habitats or how a pinecone left behind could become a tree

  • Read fire safety stories like Smokey the Bear and talk about when it is okay to have a fire

• Celebrate Responsible Choice

  • Praise their efforts to follow the principles- stickers are always a hit!

Leave No Trace isn’t just a rulebook—it’s a mindset. One that asks us to act with intention. It’s our shared responsibility to keep these places thriving.