Janet, LNT instructor on Econfina Creek FTA section

Leave No Trace Training on Econfina Creek

This year is getting started with An Old Woman's Last Backpacking Trip. Video is here with more to come. Here is the announcement of the Florida Trail Association (FTA) January 24-25, 2012 event on Meetup. See also the Meetup photos.

Join FTA staff and instructor Janet Herrick for this scenic hike along the Econfina Creek. Participants will meet at Scott Rd Trailhead at 9 am Tuesday morning and begin sorting food and gear for an overnight backpacking trip and Leave No Trace Training. We will begin the actual hike at a different location than Scott Rd.  We will hike about 5 miles south along the Econfina Creek to Devil's Hole, set up a base camp and continue LNT instruction. Students will overnight at a backcountry campsite Tuesday evening. The course will resume the next morning and we will hike further south to our exit point where we will shuttle the group back to the original starting location of the hike. Participants will learn all about Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, become more confident backpackers, and get instruction on responsible recreational travel through a variety of environments. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certification as a Leave No Trace Trainer and will be able to host Leave No Trace Awareness courses for others. This event is intended for hikers of all experience levels. Food will be provided by FTA Staff.  If you are a member of the Florida Trail Association and wish to register, go to www.floridatrail.org and find the F-Troop site, or you can go directly to the F-Troop site, www.f-troop.org then go to the "Volunteer Project Schedule" page.

I did that. The day before the event, I got more info.

Below is the list of the 7 LNT principles and the person assigned to "teach" it on the trail. (note that the 7 principles are split up into 8 segments). They Are:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare - Sean,

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - Mary,

3A. Dispose of Waste Properly - Human - Michael,

3B. Dispose of Waste Properly - Food/Trash - Michael,

4. Leave What You Find - Caroling,

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts - Emily,

6. Respect Wildlife - Will,

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors - Barb.

For more detail see: http://lnt.org/programs/principles.php

During an overnight trainer course, each participant “teaches” the other members of the group about the principle they are assigned. This is achieved in a myriad of ways: By talking about personal experiences—how you may have followed the principle well, or not so well; some have taught it like a game show; others have done a skit or a musical.

In my training, I have read straight out of the LNT literature and other times I did a group demonstration. REMEMBER! There is no right or wrong way to do this, and these talks are always enlightening. In the end, the trainer really "owns" that principle and everyone else in the group is informed (and often charmed and entertained). Mostly, make it really fun and stress free!

The presentations are usually from 5 minutes to 15 minutes long. Props are TOTALLY OPTIONAL. Remember, we are in the woods for the most part. Usually talks run about 9 to 10 minutes long. What they are designed to do it spark interest from the audience that invites further conversation.

Consider them the sparks to light the fire of discussion.

There is an online course that takes an hour or less to complete at http://www.lnt.org/training/OnlineCourse/. I did that and here is my certificate.

See Econfina Creek background info on the 2008 page and Econfina 2012.

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© 2012 Caroling. All rights reserved. Page created 2012-01-23. Last modified: 2012-02-23