The people at Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics are longtime friends of Sedona. LNT's research is celebrated across the country for showing each of us how we can help solve problems of polluted water, trashed natural areas, fire danger and threats to wildlife. The key is their scientific approach. Leave No Trace has investigated best practices for wildland interaction for decades.
They summarize these findings in the Leave No Trace Seven Principles for enjoying the natural world responsibly.
In Sedona, increased visitation places more stress on our land and wildlife. To preserve our environment for generations to come, we ask visitors to take personal responsibility for their actions in the wilderness. Our advice: Hike, breathe and be inspired, but when you depart, "leave no trace."
Please practice these Seven Principles while you are out and about in red rock country. You will find more details on our LNT web page.
- Plan and prepare. Carry a map or GPS. Do not mark trails. Plan according to your capabilities. Be prepared for weather and emergencies.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces. These include maintained trails, designated campsites, rock, gravel, or snow. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes or streams.
- Dispose of Waste Properly. Plan meals that avoid smelly garbage. Pack out your trash – even buried garbage attracts animals. Carry plastic bags to transport waste. Know appropriate methods for disposing of or transporting human waste.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Consider lightweight camping stoves. They are safer, require no wood and leave no trace. If you want a fire, an existing campsite fire ring is the best place.
Leave what you find. Do not disturb historic or prehistoric structures and artifacts. Leave natural objects such as antlers, bones or interesting rocks where they are. Avoid damaging live plants and trees.
- Respect wildlife: Observe wild animals from a distance. Do not touch, approach or interact with them. Never feed animals, which disrupts their natural behaviors. Leash your pets or leave them at home.
- Be Considerate of Others. Yield. Be courteous. Take breaks off the trail. Keep pets under control. Keep voices down, group sizes small and pets under control.
We encourage you to enjoy Sedona, share it with your loved ones, and come back to us again and again. But for Sedona to remain beautiful for your children and grandchildren, your role in sustaining nature's balance is critical. Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, and you will have the satisfaction of being a mindful guest respectful of the land and the culture – and doing your part to help preserve Red Rock Country's grandeur forever.
