7 Top Tips for Protecting Our Public Lands, According to a Park Ranger
America’s landscapes are one of its greatest assets. Now more than ever, they need daily guardians. Between climate change, government deregulation, and record-breaking visitation, it’s on us—the casual visitor—to make sure we’re each doing our best to give the planet a break.
But what does that mean, and how can we help? We talked to Lauren Ray, Park Ranger at Buffalo National River—the first National River designated in the US and one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the Lower 48—about what we can do to protect our national parks, forests, waterways, and cherished landscapes. Turns out, it’s a lot.
1. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles
It really can be as simple as that.
“Leave No Trace is a science-based method of minimizing the human impacts we leave behind on our public lands and other shared spaces,” says Ray. The seven principles are quite simple:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
While straightforward, how often have you seen someone wander off trail, run across litter, or watched people approach wildlife for photos? “Imagine if every single national park visitor made a concerted effort,” remarks Ray. “The cumulative effect would be astounding.”
2. Think of your “trace” as far more than just litter
It’s not just that empty soda can you’re leaving behind.
“National parks see millions of visitors every year,” Ray explains. “And the impacts of those millions of people come in the forms of litter, noise pollution, search and rescue incidents, overcrowding, human waste issues, wildlife disruption, etc.” With that in mind, it’s easy to see why minimizing your impact means far more than just disposing of your trash.
Essentially, leaving “only footprints” is pretty literal—even your noise can disturb wildlife. When you’re in nature, do your best to be as the trees: silent, waste-free, and with a preference for open spots.
Related: 8 Ways to Leave It Better: Tips for a Sustainable National Parks Trip
3. Put out your fires
You don’t want to fan the flames when it comes to wildfires.
“Almost 90% of all wildfires in the US are human-caused,” notes Ray. “We could prevent billions of dollars of damage and government spending simply by double-checking that our fires are completely out.” (Never mind saving millions of trees and habitat for wildlife.)
When you go to leave your campsite or campfire for the night, don’t settle for a few glowing embers—douse your campfire entirely. And if fires aren’t allowed or are only allowed in existing fire rings, know that that’s for a reason. The rules are there for your and the forest’s safety.
4. Spread the LNT word
It’s OK not to know, but once you do—share.
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace form the bedrock of ethical public-lands visitation. But “sharing those principles with others is how we take that stewardship one step further,” explains Ray. “The more people who understand the importance of recreating responsibly, the greater the impact our collective actions will make.”
Beyond knowledge, humans tend to emulate each other. Whether it’s your neighbor, your niece, or your next-site-over camping buddy, spread the word, yes, but also make sure you’re a role model yourself.
5. Learn the story of your favorite park or forest
When we care *about* something, we care *for* it, too.
Most of us hit the great outdoors for hiking, camping, kayaking, and the like—and then we leave. We tend to know places for what they offer us, when we should be knowing them for what they are. “Beyond Leave No Trace, learning the human story behind every park or public land unit is an amazing way to cultivate a sense of stewardship for a place,” notes Ray.
How to achieve that? Ray suggests researching your destination beforehand; watching videos and documentaries; reading books and articles to get a holistic picture of your favorite spot. “When we feel an emotional connection to a place,” she points out, “we’re more likely to take care of it.”
6. Soak up the nature around you
The great outdoors isn’t just ours for the taking.
OK, so you’ve learned about your favorite forest, waterway, or park, and you’re ready to visit. Obviously you should have a ton of fun, but if all you do is go to that spot to use it, that’s not exactly giving back.
Next time you go outside, Ray suggests sitting quietly for a few moments, using your five senses to take in your surroundings and discover what moves you. “When we’re inspired and when we feel a deep sense of place,” she notes, “we tend to aim for a more reciprocal relationship with nature … we take less and give more.”
Related: 7 Alternatives to America's Most Popular National Parks
7. Start at home
Figure out where you fit into things.
It’s impossible to understand what our forests and public lands need without understanding how ecosystems work at large. You can’t dive in two weeks a year or on weekends—get out in your own backyard or neighborhood and start learning the lay of the land and asking questions, Ray suggests. Scout out your local creeks and the life they sustain. Find out where your drinking water comes from. Spend time with the animals that scurry across your block and learn their habits.
Ray puts it succinctly: “Get to know your local ecosystem and find your place in it. This will build the foundation for a lifelong appreciation and stewardship of nature.”
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