Leave No Trace

Principles of Outdoor Ethics (Irish version)

   1. Plan Ahead And Prepare

• Before you go, check, where possible if access is allowed and your activity is permitted in the area you wish to visit e.g. Is your dog welcome? Is there parking available?
• Respect any signs, regulations, policies and special concerns for the area that you wish to visit. Permits may sometimes be needed before activities on public lands.
• Where possible travelled by public transport and share cars.
• Ensure that you have the skills and equipment needed for your activity.
• Check the weather forecast. Prepare for changeable weather and the possibility of something going wrong.
• For environmental, safety and social reasons, but keep group numbers small. Split large parties into smaller groups e.g. less than 10 ideally between 4 and 6

  2. Be considerate of others

• Park appropriately -avoid blocking gateways, forest entrances or narrow roads.Remember that farm machinery, local residents and emergency services may need access at all times.
• Respect landowners, land managers and their property-avoid damaging walls and fences, do not disturb farm animals.
• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Avoid making loud and excessive noise. Let nature’s sounds prevail.
• Support local communities e.g. make a point of spending money in the areas you visit.

Respect farm animals and wildlife                

• Dogs should be kept under close control and not be brought onto hills or farmland without the landowner’s permission. But
• Observe wild animals and birds from a distance. Avoid disturbing them at sensitive times: mating, nesting and raising young ( mostly between spring and early summer).
• Never feed wildlife or farm animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health and alters natural behaviours.

 4. Keep to durable ground

• Durable ground includes established tracks and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grass or snow.
• To avoid further erosion, keep to the centre of tracks at all times.

If camping:

·         Protect water quality by camping at least 30m from lakes and streams.

·         Aim to leave your campsite as you found it, or better.

In popular areas:

·         Concentrate use on existing tracks and campsites.

·         Walk single file in the middle of the track even when wet or muddy.

·         Keep campsites small and discreet.

In more remote areas:

·         Disperse use to prevent the creation of new tracks and campsites.

·         Avoid places where impacts are just beginning to show.

 5.  Leave what you find

• Respect property. For example, farming or forestry machinery, fences, stone walls etc. Leave gates as you find them (open or closed).
• Preserve the past: examine but do not damage archaeological structures, old walls and heritage artifacts e.g. holy Wells, mine workings, monuments.
• Conserve the present: leave rocks, flowers, plants, animals and other natural habitats as you find them. Fallen trees are a valuable wildlife habitat, do not remove them or use for firewood.
• Avoid introducing non native plants and animals e.g. zebra mussels in rivers and lakes.
• Do not build rock cairns, structures or shelters.

 6. Dispose of waste properly                                                                         

•  “ If you bring it in, take it out ” take home all litter and leftover food ( including teabags, fruit peel and other biodegradable foods).
• To dispose of solid human waste, dig a hole 10-12cm deep and at least 30m from water, campsites or tracks. Cover and disguise the hole when finished.
• Bring home toilet paper and hygiene products.
• When washing yourself or your dishes, carry water 30m away from streams or lakes and if necessary use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Bring home any solids and scatter strained dish water.
• For more information on sanitation in the outdoors read the  “ Where to go in the outdoors” leaflet

7. Minimise the effects of fire

• Fires can cause lasting impacts and can be devastating to forests, natural habitats and farmland.
• When camping use a lightweight stove for cooking.

Where fires are permitted:

·         Use established fire rings or barbecues or create a mound fire.

·         Keep fires small. Only use sticks that can be broken by hand. Do not cut growing vegetation for use as firewood.

·         Avoid burning plastics or other substances which emit toxic fumes.

·         Burn all fires to ash, extinguish fires completely and then scatter cool ashes .

·         Dead and dry vegetation is highly flammable-do not light fires in these conditions.

·         Winds can spread fires-exercise extreme caution in such conditions