I am delighted to announce the completion of my Leave No Trace Master Educator Course!
Since finishing my trainer course several years ago, I have contemplated furthering my Leave No Trace (LNT) education, and I am so glad I did! My appreciation has dramatically expanded over the years, and the “LNT seven principles” have become habitual behaviors that have entirely changed how I exist in the outdoors. I enjoy teaching these seven principles as a program of whole harmony with nature, inherently integrated into our journey of self-love and personal wellbeing.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (LNT) is an educational nonprofit organization devoted to responsible recreation and active stewardship of the outdoors. In addition to picking up litter found along a trail and following the seven principles, being a good steward of the environment is honoring the deep connection we have with all that is, seen and unseen. How we treat the outside world reflects how we treat our inner world. The state of each reveals the beliefs and behavior patterns we hold about ourselves and all others. No belief system is necessary to sense this innate connection we all share, for it dwells within all things.
LNT is not just a standardized list of “rules and regulations” that we must follow in order to comply, but a set of foundational values and ethics that help us lovingly celebrate our lifelong exploration of wild places. The seven principles are the perfect place to start. As we evaluate our ongoing relationship with the earth, we understand that this is a partnership of equal value… we receive all that we give. And how we behave outdoors is simply a habit like anything else.
However, the LNT principles are just the beginning of this wild and fantastic adventure. When we perceive nature as our home, we can sense the continuous evolution of all that is… as a whole and integrated presence. This fundamental awareness is a reflection of how we treat ourselves… our self-care. And when we consistently choose the path of self-love, there is a direct and noticeable correlation with our outer world. We see a remarkable shift in the joy and magic we experience.
We can enhance our understanding exponentially by becoming aware of the energy we put into the world. This is an evolutionary leap in the mindset of Leave No Trace. The next time you spend time in the Magic of the WildWood as a “wild human being,” remember you are a conscious KEEPER OF THE LAND and an “authority of the resource.”
Namaste
*I am the proud recipient of a $200 Beckwith Scholarship from The Landmark Foundation, which promotes higher education and supports the enhancement of the outdoor student experience. I am grateful to Landmark Learning, the knowledgeable instructors, and the Landmark Foundation! Thank you!
