What most people don’t realize is that everything we do in life leaves a carbon footprint.
This is especially true when it comes to things in the home such as electricity, heat and even cooking.
When you go camping you also leave a footprint even if it is not a carbon one.
Read on to find out how you can tread lightly when you are camping in the fragile outdoors.
Tip 1- When you go camping try and use campsites that are already in existence. Don’t make new ones.
Pitch your tent on surfaces that are durable. Avoid heavily vegetated areas where your tent can do much harm. Never dig trenches or holes around your tent either.
Tip 2– Make your campsite at least two hundred feet away from other campsites, hiking trails and water sources.
Tip 3– Abide by the carry in carry out rule. Whatever you bring along with you to your campground or campsite, be sure that you take it back out with you. Bring along an extra trash bag so that you can pack up any litter and debris that other, thoughtless campers have left behind.
Tip 4- Instead of making a campfire, use a camp stove for cooking. You may be surprised to find out that a camp stove will impact the land much less than will a blazing campfire.
Make sure that you observe all restrictions as to fire. If you are insistent on having a campfire, use the fire rings that are often at campsites. If they are not in evidence, create a mound fire or even better, utilize a fire pan.
Tip 5- When building campfire do not cut down live trees. Use whatever dead limbs and branches you find on the ground. Never cut the limbs of live trees either as they will not burn as well as seasoned, dead wood.
Make sure there is at least a ten foot diameter that is free of extra firewood, leaves, grass and twigs. You will also want to check that there are no flammable materials that are hanging overhead.
Tip 6- Never use detergents, soap or toothpaste in any water source. These materials may harm fish, aquatic life and wildlife.
If you must wash, get buckets of water and do your ablutions at least two hundred feet away from any lakes and streams. Scatter the dirty water so that it goes into the soil rather than the water.
