Love Our New York Lands
by Responsibly Enjoying Winter Recreation
The New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds visitors to practice Leave No
Trace™ while recreating on State lands this winter. We all have a
responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Following
the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, set forth by the Leave No Trace
Center for Outdoor Ethics, is one way users are
encouraged to Love Our NY Lands.
"Whether you're
exploring the Adirondack or Catskill mountains, or enjoying your local
trail, winter is an excellent time to get outdoors in New
York," said
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "To
protect public lands for future generations, remember to Love Our New
York Lands by practicing the Leave No Trace™ Seven Principles and get
outside safely and responsibly."
The Leave No Trace™ Seven
Principles provide helpful guidance to reduce your impact on the
environment and keep yourself and those around you safe.
1. Plan ahead and
prepare. Proper planning is vital to ensure a safe winter
adventure. Visitors should know their limits, set realistic goals, and
choose an appropriate experience. Outdoor adventurers are encouraged to
research trails and routes before setting out and contact DEC or other
knowledgeable parties with questions.
2.
·
Winter weather can change rapidly.
Prepare for every occasion by bringing the 10 Hike
Smart NY essentials, including food, water, navigation,
warm layers, snowshoes and traction devices, a headlamp, first-aid kit,
and matches or a lighter. Stay up to date with current weather reports
and if the forecast calls for harsh conditions, consider rescheduling.
·
Make a timeline, including a turnaround
time, and stick to it. Visitors should leave their trip plans with a
trusted friend or relative that will call for help if they don't return
on time. For more tips on preparing for a safe outdoor winter experience,
visit DEC's winter hiking safety page.
3. Travel
and camp on durable surfaces. Travel on durable
surfaces to help maintain the integrity of trails and limit damage to
trailside vegetation. Snow is considered a durable surface once it is six
inches deep. Snowshoes make walking in deep snow easier and help prevent postholing, the act of creating deep holes in the
snow with bare boots. Use traction devices, such as crampons or microspikes, to travel safely across ice.
4. Properly
dispose of waste. Visitors to State lands
are asked to carry out what they carry in, including garbage, food
scraps, broken gear, and pet waste. Dispose of trash in a designated can
at the trailhead or at home. Go before you go and use toilets or
outhouses whenever possible. Visitors should also be prepared to dig a
cat hole or pack out poop where toilets aren't available.
5. Leave
what you find. Leave trail signs and markers so
others can find their way, and leave historic
artifacts and natural features for others to enjoy. Please do not carve
or graffiti rocks, trees, or backcountry structures.
6. Minimize
campfire impacts. Visitors should use
designated fireplaces whenever possible and only burn dead and downed
wood. When finished with the fire, extinguish it completely. Never leave
a fire unattended or build a fire inside a structure such as a lean to or
tent.
7. Respect
wildlife. Never follow, approach, or feed wildlife. Human food
can harm wildlife and feeding wildlife can create bad habits that lead to
unwanted human interaction and habituation.
8. Be
considerate of other visitors. Help all
visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience by following winter trail
etiquette. Wear snowshoes or skis on snowy trails to avoid post-holing.
Separate ski and snowshoe tracks when possible. Yield to downhill skiers
and move to the side of the trail to let snowmobiles pass. Snowmobile
riders are reminded to slow down when passing pedestrians.
DEC's 'Love Our New York
Lands' campaign was launched in response to the steady increase in the
number of visitors to state lands, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and
in the decade prior, as more and more New Yorkers and visitors from other
states and countries discovered the natural beauty of New York State. For
details and more information, visit the Love Our New York Lands page on DEC's website.
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