Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity is a leisure venture that takes place in a natural setting. It
benefits the mind, body, and spirit. Some example of outdoor recreation is; hiking, fishing, wildlife
viewing, outdoor camping, and so on. Responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with
something or of having control over someone or something. It is a fact that involving our-self in outdoor
recreation activities will genuinely relieve our stress and make us feel joy. But we must always keep in
mind that there will always be responsibilities to remember when doing it for us to benefit from the
activity or the environment while safeguarding and preserving the environment’s life.
I would say that the greatest reminder for us to keep the environment safe while benefitting from it is to
learn and understand the principles of leave no traces as it provides a set of universal ethics that will
provide frameworks in making decisions in outdoor activities.
The first principle is for us to plan and prepare. This is the most important one for us to keep in mind
since every activity won’t carry on if we fail to draw up and scheme necessary details in the first place.
The main point of this principle is to ensure our safety, minimize resource damage, and complete the
trip safely and enjoyably.
The upcoming principle is to travel and camp on durable surfaces. To keep us safe from animals and any
injuries caused by the area we chose to camp in.
Dispose of waste properly is the principle that follows. The proper disposal of human waste is critical to
avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize
the possibility of spreading disease and maximize the rate of decomposition. A reminder for us to dig a
cat hole is that it should be 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter and covered with natural
materials. Keep it at least 200 meters away from the water source and inconspicuous from other
visitors. Wash your dishes away from any water source (At least 200m).
Next is to respect wildlife. Just like humans, they don’t want to be disrespected and disturbed. So we
can do that by simply observing them from a distance. In that way, we will not just show respect to
them, but we can also let the other visitors experience the joy we had in that sightseeing. Avoid feeding
them, as human foods might be dangerous to animals.
Then the next principle is to be considerate to other visitors. We must not forget to respect our fellow
people. Respect other visitors and let them have an unending fulfillment experience as well. Allow the
sound of nature to prevail, keep your radios and speaker off.
For us to enjoy nature and benefit from them at the same time, we should try our best to keep the
mentioned principle above in our minds. Some principles were not mentioned. But it is our responsibility
to determine what’s right and wrong. As much as we want to benefit from nature, we should preserve
and protect them as they are painting pictures of infinite beauty for us day after day.