Be Eco-Conscious: 5 Ways to Hike Sustainably
hiking trekking cliff travel backpacking nature, Photo by Ashley Knedler
Trekking on hiking trails is one of the best ways to enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature and its beauty. Our Earth’s natural ecosystems can provide lots of enjoyment to people, but it’s also important to think about the health of the environment while exploring.
Read on for some important tips that you can use to be eco-conscious on your next hike.
Respect Plants and Wildlife
Perhaps one of the best ways to hike sustainably is by respecting the environment. Human activity has the ability to alter animal behaviors and habitats. Some animals might be intrigued by the presence of humans in their habitat.
If you encounter any critters while hiking, be sure to keep your distance and appreciate them from afar. Rocks, plants, and other things alike should be left alone as well. Although picking just one flower or taking one rock may not seem like a lot, it can be if every person does it when they go on a trail.
Leave the Earth’s beautiful flora in its place so it can thrive in its natural habitat. Leaving plants alone also allows other hikers to enjoy them. If you want to cherish the moment of stumbling upon wildlife or finding a pretty flower or rock, snap a picture!
Collecting photographs of your trips is a great way to create a souvenir without altering nature. You can even build a portfolio of all your adventures to remember forever.
Follow Trail Etiquette
Sticking to trails is important for a number of reasons. The most important is habitat degradation. Following the trail prevents the possibility that you could be trampling on an animal’s habitat. It can also kill smaller critters that we may not be able to see at first glance.
Another reason to stick to the trail is to prevent degradation of the trail. If enough people travel outside of the trail, it can create a new path and cause confusion for others who may not know it well.
Stepping to the side of a narrow trail in the event that other hikers are passing through can also help prevent habitat degradation. It’s always important to be mindful of where we’re stepping and how our actions can affect the environment.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Many trails don’t have places where you can leave your waste. Littering is a criminal offense in many places. Be sure to plan ahead on how you’ll keep your trash and other waste from being left behind while hiking. You might find bear-proof trash cans on campsites near trails.
Although some snacks like fruit are biodegradable, they can take longer to biodegrade than you may think. Some fruit peels can take months or years to decompose. Leaving traces of food behind can attract animals and draw them out of their natural home range. This can endanger animals and hikers.
Keeping a waste bag with you while you’re hiking can provide you with an easy clean-up option without causing harm to wildlife. It’s also a good idea to plan your hiking meals and snacks. Planning ahead can help reduce the amount of waste you may need to carry with you on your trip.
Bring an Eco-Friendly Water Bottle and Other Gear
Eco-friendly food packaging and water bottles are available to help you bring along your favorite hiking fuel. Using plastics contributes to pollution and global warming because it’s made using things likecoal, natural gas, and crude oil.
Plastic has the ability to harm soil by releasing harmful chemicals. These chemicals can also travel into nearby water sources and affect wildlife. Investing in a reusable water bottle, food packaging, and other eco-friendlyhiking gear can help you practice sustainable hiking.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles
There are sevenLeave No Trace principles that provide a framework for how you can minimize your impact on the environment. Following these principles can be beneficial for not only hiking but also other outdoor activities.
We’ve covered some of the principles already, such as disposing of waste properly, respecting wildlife, staying on trails, and leaving what you find in the wild. Other principles include minimizing campfire impacts, planning ahead, and being considerate of others.
Learning more about sustainability is one of the first steps in becoming eco-conscious and environmentally friendly. These are just a few tips to help get you started on your journey to hiking sustainably.
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy that works together with tourism businesses and destinations to create unforgettable tourism experiences while minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment.