Reflections on “Leave No Trace”

It is not uncommon that when I’m camping, I find myself walking with a small bag in hand, picking up the trash or little leftovers that others have left behind. Stepping into nature feels sacred to me, and I believe it should be treated as such. Yet, I also understand that many people have questions—sometimes I do too—about how to properly dispose of waste while outdoors. These small doubts remind me that caring for nature is a practice, one we are always learning.

One book that speaks beautifully to these questions is Leave No Trace in the Outdoors, written by Dr. Jeffrey Marion, a scientist and founding member of the Leave No Trace program. His work bridges research and practice, offering both evidence and wisdom on how we can minimize our impact in wild places.

Leave no Trace, book by Jeffrey Marion

The book is not just a manual for campers—it is a thoughtful guide filled with practical advice and deeper reflection. Dr. Marion explores the seven principles of Leave No Trace, from respecting wildlife to disposing of waste properly, always reminding us that these actions are more than rules. They are ways of showing reverence for the natural world and ensuring its beauty remains for generations to come.

For me, the book is more than a set of outdoor guidelines; it’s an invitation to walk gently through life. Every page felt like a reminder that nature is not just scenery—it is relationship. To leave no trace is not only to pack away our trash or tread lightly on a trail, but to honor the living presence of the earth itself.

As I read, I thought of the children I guide outdoors. Their instinct is to explore with wonder, to touch, to gather, to play. And yet, even at a young age, they can learn that respect is part of love. That the way we treat the forest, the flowers, the insects—shapes the story of our belonging.

What if “leave no trace” was more than an outdoor ethic—what if it became a way of living? A way of being in community, of remembering that our smallest choices ripple outward. That each footprint, each gesture, each word can either burden or bless the earth we walk upon.

When I close the book, I hear the forest whisper:

“Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but care.”

For more information about the Leave No Trace movement and resources, visit lnt.org