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MATC Education Program
"Leave No Trace"

 

Leave What You Find

The Appalachian Trail in Maine is visited by 100,000 hikers, eager to explore the natural world. By leaving rocks, plants, other natural objects and archeological artifacts, others can enjoy a sense of discovery.

A Pink Lady Slipper flower
A Pink Lady Slipper

 

What Can We Do?

Respect natural environments by adopting the following practices:

Minimize Site Alterations - Leave areas as you find them. Do not dig trenches when setting up tents, or "build" lean-tos, tables, or chairs. Replace rocks, twigs and pinecones when breaking down camp. Good campsites are found not made. Leave legal fire pits, and dismantle illegal fire pits and bootleg campsites. Learn to evaluate each situation that you find.

Avoid Damaging Live Trees and Plants - Leave trees in peace. Do not hammer nails into trees, saw off live limbs, carve initials into trees, or tie tent guy lines to trunks (thus girdling the tree). Instead of picking flowers, take a picture or sketch. Experienced campers may enjoy an occasional edible plant, but are careful not to deplete the surrounding vegetation or disturb plants that are rare or slow to recover.

Leave Natural Objects and Cultural Artifacts - Natural objects of beauty and interest - such as antlers, petrified wood, or colored rocks - add to the mood of the backcountry, and should be left so others can experience a sense of discovery. In National Parks it is illegal to remove natural objects. The same ethic is applicable to cultural objects found on public land. Cultural objects are protected by the Archeological Resources Protection Act. It is illegal to remove or disturb archeological sites, historic sites, or artifacts - such as pot shards, arrowheads, structures, and even antique bottles - found on public lands.

A patch of wild, edible cranberries
A patch of wild, edible cranberries

 

 

 

 

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Last updated - 7/10/11 12:04 PM
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MATC Webmaster David Theoharides -webmaster@matc.org

Maine Appalachian Trail Club - P.O. Box 283, Augusta, ME 04332-0283