A Pink Lady Slipper
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.
