Giving Back to Public Lands
While writing a letter to your representatives is one important step of many to share our concerns and our love for our public lands. I wanted to share a few other ways to help give back to public lands in your very own backyards. Cheers to keeping our public lands beautiful! Sign-up for our mailing list before 2/14 to be entered into a drawing to get a free Anchor & Pine sticker that are coming to our shop next month!! Scroll all the way down to sign-up to "join our mailing list". Thanks for tuning in!
1. Practicing the "Leave No Trace" principles
"Leave No Trace" consists of 7 principles that promote conservation and to help minimize our impact outdoors. The Leave No Trace principles include: planning ahead and preparing (see our last post for tips!), camping and traveling on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly and/or carrying it out, leaving what you see or find, respecting and leaving wildlife alone, minimizing campfire impact such as using existing fire rings, and being considerate of other visitors. Since 1994, the Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethics, a non-profit organization continues to educate people about ways that recreational impact can affect our outdoor spaces.
2. Volunteering or connecting with local organizations
It's sometimes difficult to find time to give back in our busy lives. A great way to give back to our lands that requires minimal commitment & time is finding organized volunteering opportunities in your community. I really love REI's Classes, Outings, and Event's page. You can find local half-day, full-day and overnight stewardship opportunities, attend outdoor education classes, register for guided local hikes, but my favorite...to meet like-minded people. Also, check out the national park's page or with your local state park's page (using Oregon as an example because that's where my basecamp is) for more opportunities. Hint, sometimes you can get free nights of camping, food, or free swag for stewardship efforts!
3. Visiting public lands
What better way to support your public lands than to visit them! My husband and I have used our American the Beautiful Pass at least a dozen times each year. Passes like this not only give you access to more than 2,000 national recreation sites, but cover day-use fees to those areas. At only $80, it's a steal versus paying $10 to $35 each visit. Before you go, make sure to check what kind of pass is required for your local, state or national parks. These park fees are used to help maintain these lands and to help support park personnel that further contribute to conservation of these lands. Here are links to public land maps: PublicLands.org, CalTopo, and US Department of Interiors Geological Survey's website (free printable maps available!)