LNT Principle #4: Leave What You Find

"Leave What You Find" is my assignment on the LNT camping trip as described on the Leave No Trace website.

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Details are on this page: http://lnt.org/programs/principles_4.php. They include these topics: minimize site alterations, avoid damaging live trees and plants, and leave natural objects and cultural artifacts.

The photo above is something found along the trail. These earthballs were the only ones I saw on the entire two-day hike. I always leave earthballs intact now. But I can imagine someone (maybe me a few years ago) poking at them to see what is inside. Or possibly digging them up to transplant in a backyard. They do look strange, exotic, and intriguing. Leaving them allows the fungi to thrive and lets others make the same find.

See Leave No Trace Training on Econfina Creek.

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