Tread Lightly While Camping

• Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents in a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents.

• Camp at least 60 meters from water, trails and other campsites.

• Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.

• Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and the amount of trash to carry out.

• For cooking, consider using a camp stove instead of a campfire. Camp stoves leave less of an impact on the land.

• Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire—use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. Use only fallen timber for campfires. Do not cut standing trees. Clear a 3-meter diameter area around the site by removing any grass, twigs, leaves and extra firewood. Also, make sure there aren’t any tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead.

• Allow the wood to burn down to a fine ash, if possible. Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until the hissing sound stops. Stir the campfire ashes and embers until everything is wet and cold to the touch. If you don’t have water, use dirt.

• Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter grey water so it filters through the soil.

• In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible, and pack out your waste. If you don’t have a portable latrine, you may need to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole 16- 20 cm deep at least 60 meters from water sources, campsites or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High-use areas may have other restrictions, so check with a land manager.

• Following a trip, wash your gear and the support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.

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Tread Lightly While Boating

• Avoid sensitive areas and operate your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

• Always launch at a designated boat ramp. Backing a vehicle on a riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and leads to erosion.

• Always travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid boating in water less than 65 cm deep.

• High speeds near shorelines lead to large waves which cause shoreline erosion.

• Sensitive areas to avoid include seasonal nesting or breeding areas.

• Do not disturb historical, archaeological or paleontological sites.

• Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.

• Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

• Do your part by modelling appropriate behaviour, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of fuel, oil and waste, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and restoring degraded areas.

• Pack out what you pack in.

• Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.

• When fueling your boat take every precaution not to spill fuel into the water.

• Be prepared. Carry a spill kit which includes absorbent pads, socks and booms.

• Use a fuel collar or bib when fueling to catch drips and overflow and prevent backsplash.

• Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.

• Before and after a trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Remove all plant material from watercraft, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry land in a garbage container. Drain live wells, bilge water and transom wells at the boat launch before leaving.

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Tread Lightly While Fishing

• Avoid sensitive areas on lands such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes.

• On the water, avoid operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

• Be mindful of damaging fragile vegetation and soils along shorelines and stream banks. Choose access to fishing spots wisely.

• Other sensitive habitats to avoid are seasonal nesting or breeding areas.

• Do not disturb historical, archaeological or paleontological sites.

• Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.

• Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

• Know your local fishing laws and regulations.

• Pack out what you pack in and carry a trash bag to pick up litter left by others.

• Pack out any discarded fishing line. The Monofilament line is especially dangerous to all wildlife.

• If practising catch and release, use barbless single hooks to make release easier.

• When practising catch and release, keep fish in the water as much as possible, with air exposure under 30 seconds at a time and 60 seconds total. Handle them as little as possible with wet hands and release them gently into the water so they are sure to survive.

• When holding large fish for a photo, hold them horizontally, supporting their weight, not vertically which can cause fatal injuries, even if the fish swims away.

• Minimize fishing during spawning periods.

• Release smaller fish as they are forage for many residents of the ecosystem. Larger and older fish are often the best producers, collecting more contaminants and are less healthy to eat—also making them good choices for the release.

• Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.

• Prevent unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or motor or revving your engine without need.

• Before and after a trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.

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Tread Lightly While Mountain Biking

• Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes.

• Other sensitive habitats to avoid, unless on designated routes, include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra and seasonal nesting or breeding areas.

• Do not disturb historical, archaeological or paleontological sites.

• Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.

• Do your part by modelling appropriate behaviour, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and restoring degraded areas.

• Carry a trash bag on your bike and pick up litter left by others.

• Pack out what you pack in.

• Before and after a ride, wash your mountain bike and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.