NATURE PLAY: RESPECTING WILDLIFE HABITATS

Nature is full of life, from bugs and beetles to birds and worms, all living and thriving in their homes and backyards. When we go outside to play, it’s important to be mindful of our impact on these habitats. This is where the Leave No Trace principles come in.

LEAVE NO TRACE ACTIVITIES

Whether you’re spending three days or three hours in the great outdoors, whether you’re fishing, surfing, camping, or just taking a walk, it’s important to be aware of the other living creatures around you. This is their home, and it’s important to minimize our impact on their environment.

We are working on developing a program to help you explore and understand the wildlife in the areas you visit.

Meanwhile you can download a PDF with some of the activities proposed 

TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

Activity 1: Satellite Tracks

Objective:

To demonstrate the impact that people can have on the environment, even in just one visit.

Requirements:

A grassy area large enough to walk 50 meters.

Audience:

All ages. Groups of 2 or more.

Directions:

Walk single file with your friends or family for 50 meters through a grassy area, then turn around and retrace your steps. Look back and see the impact that just a few people have made. Then, spread out and walk on your own, and notice that the trampling is less noticeable. It’s important to stay on established trails, but if there are no trails, be mindful to spread out to avoid creating new ones.

Activity 2: Worm’s Eye View

Objective:

To gain a ground-level perspective of the impact of our activities on the environment and understand the presence of living organisms in every location on Earth.

Requirements:

A short piece of rope for each participant, tied in a loop (optional: paper and pencil).

Audience:

Ages 7 and up

Directions: :

Go for a walk and find a natural location with visible organisms. Choose a spot for walking or camping and place your loop of rope on the ground. Count and identify the number of living organisms you find inside the loop. The identification can be as simple as “plant with four leaves” or “black beetle,” or as complex as botanical identification. Count or write down the number of organisms. Repeat at another site or on your next walk, and consider walking or camping in areas with the least amount of visible life to minimize your impact.