Learn to Leave No Trace

When we are out in nature, itā€™s important that our actions keep the environment a beautiful place for both people and wildlife. We want to ā€œLeave No Traceā€ - in other words, leave nature the way it was before we got there, as if we were never there in the first place! Practicing ā€œLeave No Traceā€ is a great way to be a Friend to the Fraser.

There are lots of different ways we can have an impact on nature, while out exploring ā€“ even if we donā€™t realize it!

Take a look at the scene below. In this picture, there are five different examples of people who can choose to ā€œLeave No Traceā€ while enjoying their day outside. Can you spot all five examples? When you spot something, click to learn more!

We are responsible for taking care of our environment. When we visit nature, we can help take care of it by leaving it the way it was before we got there!

Even though we love bringing our four-legged friends with us when we are exploring nature, what they leave behind can be smelly and gross for other people on the trail. Dog poop can also be harmful for wildlife, as it carries germs that can make wild animals sick.
Leave it there ā€“ itā€™s natural, right?
Pick up your dogā€™s poop and throw it away.
Submit
Always pick up after your pets, and remember to keep them on a leash so that they can also safely enjoy their day out in nature!
We like to explore when we are outdoors. But when we go off the paths or trails, we can damage the plants that grow there. How can this person practice ā€œLeave No Traceā€ and be a better Friend to the Fraser?
Carefully return to the trail.
Keep going, since the plants over here are pretty small.
Submit
Even smaller plants can play a big role in the ecosystem, and we want to make sure they stay healthy. That's why itā€™s best to stay on marked trails.
It can be tempting to want to bring home a souvenir from your trip out in nature. Rocks, plants, and other objects found in nature are beautiful to look atā€”but, they are also important resources for wildlife. Even sticks and fallen leaves are used by animals as food and shelter! How can this person practice ā€œLeave No Traceā€ and be a better Friend to the Fraser?
Only pick 1 or 2 flowers
Take a photo or draw a picture of the flowers, but donā€™t pick them.
Submit
Itā€™s important that we leave things where we find them. Taking photos or drawing pictures is a great way to remember what you saw, without disrupting the ecosystem.
Litter is garbage that has been left behind and forgotten. Itā€™s not only ugly to look at, it can also be harmful to the environment and to wildlife. Even small things, like orange peels or candy wrappers, can be harmful to animals. How can this family practice ā€œLeave No Traceā€ and be a better Friend to the Fraser?
Keep their trash contained and make sure itā€™s disposed of correctly at the end of the picnic.
Leave it there, the wind will blow it away.
Submit
Always ā€œpack outā€ whatever you bring with you, when out enjoying nature. To be an even better Friend to the Fraser, choose reusable bottles and containers for your snacks!
It can be exciting when we see animals out in nature! If you spot an animal nearby, it is best to observe it quietly from a safe distance. Never try to touch, feed, or pick up a wild animal. Animals who get too comfortable around people, or who think people may give them food, can become dangerous. How can this person practice ā€œLeave No Traceā€ and be a better Friend to the Fraser?
Step back to watch and enjoy the rabbit from a safe distance.
Keep sharing the food ā€“ the rabbit seems hungry and really wants some!
Submit
Even though animals may be interested in your food, itā€™s important that you do not feed them. Keep wildlife wild!
You've found 0 out of 5 examples!
Continue to Next PageCongratulations! Youā€™ve unlocked the Watershed Defender ChallengeCongratulations! Youā€™ve unlocked the Watershed Defender Challenge
 
Nobody Cleaning Up After Dog Walking Off Path Pulling Out Plants Littering Feeding Wildlife Did You Know

Teacher’s Guide

Teacherā€™s Guide ā€“ Salmon Fry (best suited for elementary school students)

Teacherā€™s Guide ā€“ Salmon (best suited for high school students & older)

Feedback

Please use this form to let us know what you think of this resource.Ā Are there improvements youā€™d like to see? Good and bad, weā€™d like to hear from you!

 

Resources

Additional Resources ā€“ Salmon Fry (best suited for elementary school students)

Additional Resources ā€“ Salmon (best suited for high school students and older)

Keep learning about Watershed CPR with this resource from the Fraser River Discovery Centre: My River, My Home

About

The Watershed CPR Education Program is a self-guided, virtual learning experience all about the Fraser River, created by the Rivershed Society of BC.

In this virtual experience, users are introduced to the three pillars of Watershed CPRā€”Connect, Protect, and Restoreā€”through a series of engaging activities and interactives about the Fraser Watershed. Users will learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit the Fraser; the First Nations who have lived in this area since time immemorial; some of the conservation issues affecting the watershed; and how to ā€œperform Watershed CPRā€ and become a Watershed Defender.

To learn more about Watershed CPR and the Rivershed Society of BC, visit rivershed.com.

 

Thank you to our partners in development: Cicada Creative and Canadian Geographic, and immense gratitude to the Kwantlen First Nation for their time and contributions to the program. Consultation from Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Funding provided by the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, via the Environmental Damages Fund.

Privacy Policy

At RSBC we know that protecting the privacy of your personal information is important to you. When you become a member, a customer, or a supporter of RSBC you trust us with personal information. We will do whatever we can to protect your information and maintain your trust.

To maintain your trust we will be guided by the following principles.

Accountability

RSBC is accountable and responsible for protecting your personal information and for responding to any of your concerns. To assure our accountability RSBC has designated responsibility for compliance with these principles to a Privacy Officer.

Purpose for collecting your personal information

When RSBC collects personal information from you we will tell you why we need this information.

The reasons that we collect your personal information are:

Consent for collecting, using and disclosing your personal information

RSBC will obtain your consent to collect, use, and disclose your personal information excluding exceptional circumstances (such as compliance with a police investigation).

Consent may be implied or express. For example, if you provide us with personal information to obtain a service we will assume you have given us consent to collect and use your information as required to administer and provide the service. And if you provide us with personal information with a donation we will assume that you have granted consent to administer the donation and send you further information about RSBC. Other times, however, such as applying for membership we will ask for your express consent by way of ticking a box on the membership application.

You may withdraw your consent at any time with reasonable notice and with the knowledge that withdrawal may prevent us from providing further products, services or information.

Limits on collecting your personal information

RSBC will only collect personal information that is reasonable to collect for the purposes above.

Limits on the use, disclosure and keeping of your personal information

RSBC will only use and keep your information for the purpose that it was collected.

RSBC will not disclose your personal information without your consent.

RSBC may use your personal information to periodically to gather information from you or request your support.

RSBC will retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill our business purposes.

Accuracy

RSBC will make reasonable efforts to ensure that your personal information is accurate, complete, and current.

If you demonstrate the inaccuracy of your personal information we will amend it or if we cannot agree to change it (for example, records for charitable purposes) we will make a note that a correction was requested but not made.

Keeping personal information private

RSBC will take all reasonable measures to protect your personal information.

Staff that handle your personal information will know this code and how to keep your information secure. This includes precautions such as office alarms, locking file cabinets, passwords to electronic files.

RSBC will also use appropriate measures when disposing of personal information.

Openness

RSBC will make every effort to be open about how we protect your personal information. The RSBC Privacy Code and the name and contact information of the Privacy Officer will be made available to all members, customers and supporters on request. Information about it will be disseminated through our newsletter and verbally.

Your access to your personal information

Upon request, and with reasonable notice, RSBC will share with you all or your personal information that we maintain. If you wish to see your personal information write or call the Privacy Officer.

If the information is shown to be inaccurate we will correct the information.

Compliance

Enquiries and concerns regarding our Privacy Code or your personal information should be directed to the Privacy Officer, RSBC address.

This Golden Paw Print means that this is information that can help make your migration journey successful in the Watershed Defender section.