"One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between Man and Nature shall not be broken" - Leo Tolstoy
National parks are some of the most commonly visited places in any country. Popular among locals and travelers, national parks have been a way to showcase a country's natural heritage. Often referred to by different names in different countries--sanctuaries, provincial parks, or reserves. Still, the purpose remains the same: preserve the country's unique biodiversity and provide a safe way for people to explore the country's natural wonders and wilderness.
More than 300mn people visit national parks in the USA, enjoying a variety of recreational activities like hiking, camping, boating, and many adventure sports like rock climbing. But the most common activity among these is hiking. As of 2018, the number of people going on a hike in the USA was 47.9mn, birdwatching 12.3mn, and backpacking 10.5mn. I don't have the numbers, but I would say a good chunk of that are hiking in the state and national parks.
These numbers are enormous and leave a profound impact on the environment. There is a drastic need to be conscious of our footsteps. In my previous blog (Big Shock after Big Cypress), I looked at why the national parks in the USA are overwhelmed. As travelers, we must do our part to protect the environment and wildlife sanctuaries that we are fortunate to enjoy today.
The way we use our national parks and the great outdoors will determine if the generations ahead can enjoy it the way we do. In this blog, I want to share some simple ways to enjoy a good hike or nature walk without harming the delicate ecosystems.
Adopt these simple steps. Let's be kind, nurture a love for nature, and enjoy our next trek or nature walk in a more fulfilling way.
Stick to the path
Avoid trailblazing or bushwacking, no matter how fun they might be. Staying on that winding boardwalk or paved trail is your best bet to enjoy a good hike in a national park. Boardwalks and gravel trails created by park authorities serve essential needs. They are the safest path to use and ensure that any conservation measures taking place within the park do not get damaged. Going off the trail means potentially disrupting such efforts and disrupting the fragile ecosystem of these parks.
Limit high beam lights and honking
Drive at permissible limits to avoid track damage and minimize noise. Keep honks and high beam car lights to a minimum. They distract wildlife. Check wheels or other parts of your vehicle to ensure weeds or contaminants don't enter the forest. If you can ride a bus or have other environmentally responsible ways to get to the park, such as hiking and biking, choose that instead of driving.
Enjoy adventure sports cautiously
National parks across the world offer adventure sports that require various types of equipment and gear. When enjoying adventure sports like rock climbing or rappelling, make sure not to leave any bolts, ropes or slings behind.
Stop carving rocks and trees
Whichever year you graduate or whoever it is that you love with a heart around it, it does not need to be engraved on canyon rocks or tree barks. The pocket knife and other sharp objects need to be put away. Leave the trees and rocks as you found them.
Say no to plastic bottles
How many times have you noticed plastic bottles in the bushes on a trail? I bet the answer will be, a lot. Remember, plastic never goes away. Using water bottles is much better for the environment than bottled water. If you are camping, bringing coolers, water jugs, or multiple reusable water bottles will ensure you don't leave behind anything that might have long term consequences for the environment.
Leave no trace behind
The seven principles of Leave No Trace, an initiative by the National Park Services in the USA, can be used to minimize human impact on the environment while doing any recreational activity in a national park or out in nature. The principles can be found here https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm. Whether you are trekking the Everest or doing a state park hike, these basic principles can be adopted anywhere in the world.
Do you have other ways in which you make your hike or trip to a national park less impactful to the environment? I would love to know your tips in the comment section below.
@elysian_reflection Thank you so much. I loved your post about stacking rocks. I hope to write more on this topic :-)
Thank you for this! It was this blog and another friend who mentioned “Leave No Trace” that got me to take a deeper look into the cairns we saw in Montana.
Several weeks later and after much reading, led to my post yesterday. Often times we don’t stop and think about what our actions, mainly without ill-intent, can do to the eco-system and the long lasting effects it can have.
I think through helping to educate people and pointing them in the right direction, we can positively impact our planet for years to come.