Ways to Preserve Nature While Hiking
by Cendy Moliere
There are so many benefits to regular hiking that it’s no surprise hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities. It’s a sport that you don’t need a lot of equipment for and one that almost anyone can enjoy. More than 30 million people each year go on at least one hike and that number is climbing all the time. All of those hikers can do significant damage to the environment though if they aren’t careful. If you love to hike but you want to be sure that you’re not doing anything that could damage the natural world you hike in always make sure you do these things:
Keep Your Dog Under Control
Hiking with your dog is a lot of fun. Dogs love the chance to get out into the nature and it’s more fun to hike with your dog. But, dogs that aren’t leashed can cause havoc on the trail. If your dog isn’t on a leash the dog could crash through brush killing bushes and plants, chase animals, or annoy other hikers. Keep your dog on a leash at all times and always clean up after your dog the way you would if you were walking the dog on the street.
Don’t Take Souvenirs
If you see some beautiful wildflowers, colorful leaves, or other natural items that you are tempted to take with you when you go, resist that temptation and leave them where they are. If the millions of hikers who go into the wild every year all took just a few flowers or just a few leaves there would be none left and the trees and plants would die. As the saying goes “take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.”
Pack Your Snacks Carefully
You should always bring plenty of water and some snacks with you when you’re hiking. It’s important to stay hydrated and to have energy. However, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are terrible for the environment. Use a refillable water bottle to hold clean water and pack your snacks in reusable canvas snack bags. The bags are easy to make or inexpensive to buy and they hold a huge range of snacks safely. That way you won’t have any trash to worry about when you’re hiking.
Be Careful Where You Camp
Overnight hikes are a lot of fun but be careful where you camp. Camp only in spots that are designated for eating or camping. Most trails have trail shelters where you can safely camp and make a fire if you need to. Never make a fire except in a designated area. Pitching a tent, cooking, and cleaning up can cause a huge amount of damage to the environment around you. Camping in spots set aside for camping will minimize that damage.
Use A Trail Map
Trails designed for hikers will make hiking easier and also minimize the damage that is done to the ecosystem. Use a trail map and always stay on the marked trail so that you’re not contributing to soil erosion or killing plants or bushes in the area.
This article was provided by www.personalinjury-law.com, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only.
