Summer and fall offer wonderful opportunities to interact with nature, whether you’re swimming in a lake, hiking a mountain trail, or roasting s’mores over a campfire. While nature provides us with lasting memories, human activity can have a lasting impact on nature. As you enjoy the outdoors, consider how to lessen your impact so that nature can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. The following tips are from the “Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.”

One aspect of outdoor adventures that can have a great impact on the ecosystem is meal planning. One-pot meals cooked over a backpack camp stove require few dishes and eliminate the need for a campfire (more on campfires later). To reduce waste, remove food from its packaging and place it in sealable bags or containers in your pack before departing for your trip. Once they have been used, empty bags and containers can be packed inside each other and taken home to be reused or recycled.

Remember to “pack out” what you “pack in” — that means take everything with you that you brought in to minimize the waste you leave behind. Carry bags to haul your trash, including all leftovers. You may be tempted to leave food scraps to break down naturally, but this gives wildlife access to human food, which is harmful. Do not dispose of trash through burning or burying as wildlife may still be attracted to the remnants. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, “Animals habituated to human food can become aggressive toward people, forcing land managers to make the painful choice between relocating or euthanizing them.” Additionally, properly dispose of cigarette butts and fishing line since these can harm wildlife.

When planning for a campfire, buy firewood near where you will burn it. Failing to do so can have devastating effects on the environment and may also violate state and federal laws. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Tree-killing invasive insects and diseases can lurk both inside, and on the surface, of firewood. While these insects and diseases don’t travel far on their own, transporting firewood allows them to move hundreds of miles and start infestations in new places.” If buying firewood near the site, look for a state or federal seal indicating that it is certified heat-treated as this process kills potentially-invasive insects and diseases. You may also gather firewood on site if your destination allows it.

When outdoors, respect wildlife and their habitat. Observe wildlife through quiet observation — avoid quick movements and loud noises, which may scare animals and cause them to flee. Place camp sites at least 200 feet from water sources so that animals can access their water supply. Keep your distance from animals, and do not attempt to feed, touch, or chase them. Not only is this stressful to wildlife, but you may be putting yourself at risk for rabies or other diseases. The VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) cautions against picking up animals you think are orphaned or injured: “More than 75 percent of such orphans ‘rescued’ every spring should have been left alone. Most wild animals are dedicated parents and will not abandon their young, but they do leave them alone for long periods of time while looking for food. Additionally, many behaviors that people may view as abnormal actually are not in wildlife, and people may do much more harm than good by attempting to catch them for rehabilitation.” For more information and for a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, visit https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/. You may also call the VDGIF toll-free wildlife conflict helpline at (855) 571-9003 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Enjoy your time outdoors, and remember: Leave no trace!

Emily Gibbs is the residential conservation and marketing coordinator at Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation. You can contact her at (434) 392-3782 ext. 131 or visit www.piedmontswcd.org.