‘Leave No Trace’ camping is the only way to go

EDITOR:

I'm a sixth-grader in Latrobe School District and I try to help protect the environment any chance I get. I want to share some ideas with your readers about how to keep El Dorado County's wilderness areas and camping spots as beautiful as ever.

When I go camping I make sure that I don't leave a single trace. I let the wild stay wild and leave everything just as I found it.

Except -- last time I went camping I had to clean up after some other campers who really were making a big mess, leaving trash, letting their campfires burn and feeding wildlife. They didn’t know how to leave no trace. But do you want to know how I did it?

First, I planned ahead. I brought a map and compass so I would know where the trails and the camping spots were. I didn’t have to leave markers or cause erosion by coming off the trail.

Second, I respected the wildlife. I brought a metal bear canister to keep my food from attracting the animals. Making food available for animals can be dangerous for you and the wildlife.

Third, I had very few campfires. When I did, I made sure to put out all the flames and put water on the coals so they were no longer hot when I went to sleep. I only used dead wood from the ground to make my fire. Many nights I used a little stove and my flashlight instead of buiding a fire.

As for cleaning, I used biodegradable soap and washed my dishes 200 feet from any creek or lake. And as for my, let’s just say, my scat, I did just like many animals do. I dug myself a hole, far away from the water, and buried it.

Lastly, everything I packed in, I packed out. I packed out all my trash and leftover food. I let the wild stay wild and left everything just as I found it. All I took were pictures.

I left no trace.

If we all do that when we enjoy the great outdoors, we can keep El Dorado County as beautiful as ever!

LAUREN JOY

Sixth-grader, Millers Hill School