Best Ways to Preserve Nature while Hiking

By Cendy Moliere, Personal Injury Law

Photo by Cassie Sevigny

You have planned a hike to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Good choice, as hiking offers numerous benefits for adventure seekers of all ages. The physical activity alone enhances several body functions, such as the immune system and the strength of your muscles. Hiking is also an eco-friendly way to preserve nature, that is, if you follow five times tested tips for preserving nature while hiking.

Do Not Trash Mother Nature

The first tip on our list might appear to be common sense, but you would be surprised to learn about the number of hikers that do not completely remove all of the trash from a campground or resting area. We are talking about recyclable trash, not materials like plastic that take centuries to degrade. Another element of the remove all trash movement involves leaving human waste. Dig a hole at least six inches deep in an area that is not visited by humans. Even better, hike a trail that provides portable toilets at certain intervals.

Sleep at Established Campsites

If you plan to take a multiple day hike, you need to find spots to call it a day. Many trails have established campgrounds available for hikers to use. Campsites are carefully designed to disturb Mother Nature as little as possible. Many campsites offer shelters that protect hikers against bad weather conditions. Camping in a spot away from established campsites can leave long-term damage for the vegetation you have flatten to sleep.

Keep Water Sources Clean 

We know the timeless adage: “I’ll go when I have to go.” It makes sense, but you should go when you have to go at a spot that is located far away from the nearest water source. A good rule of thumb is to do your thing at least 200 feet away from a creek, a stream, or a river. Use biodegradable soap to prevent tainting delicate water supplies. In addition, avoid washing dishes and clothes next to a body of water.

Smokey the Bear Says Build Small Fires 

Smokey likes to tell people about the importance of putting out fires, but he also has a message for hikers that need to build a fire for cooking and/or for generating warmth on a cold night. Keep every fire you build small to leave less of an impact on the environment. Most trails mention ideal locations for building fires, so check with park and wilderness manuals to locate suggested spots for building a fire.

Buy Eco-Friendly Hiking Clothes

You do not hear much about this tip, but it is an important tip to remember because of the materials used to design and produce hiking clothes. You have to understand the production process to learn about which type of hiking clothes places the least amount of stress on the environment. Every time an article of hiking clothes is made, pollution rises from a factory to negatively impact the fragile ecosystem. You should also look for hiking clothes that use organic materials, such as organic cotton.

 

This article was provided by www.personalinjury-law.com, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only.