Leave No Trace is a national organization focused on helping people care for the outdoors. The Cape Cod Nordic Walking Club (CCNW) follows the Leave No Trace philosophy that is grounded in 7 Principles, 6 of which apply to us. We are grateful to our volunteers and walkers who embrace this philosophy so we may continue to have the privilege of enjoying our wonderful public lands.

1. 1. 1. Plan Ahead & Prepare: We plan our walks to minimize damage to the land, including choosing routes that have established trails, walking in small groups, obtaining permits, and knowing and following regulations. Poor planning often results in a less enjoyable experience and damage to natural and cultural resources.
      2. Travel on Durable Surfaces: We walk through natural areas on established trails to avoid damaging land, plants, and waterways. We walk at the center of trails and do not skirt steps, which can lead to erosion. Cape Cod’s freshwater shorelines, dunes, and bluffs, with their fragile vegetation, are particularly vulnerable to damage.
      3. Dispose of Waste Properly: The waste humans create while enjoying outdoor spaces can have severe impacts if not disposed of properly. We pack out any toilet paper we use during walks. 
      4. Leave What You Find: The items we find in nature have a role to play, either in the ecosystem or the story of the landscape. Leaving what we find in place helps to preserve both. Similarly, we do not leave objects behind that do not belong in the landscape.
      5. Respect Wildlife: Our walks occur in the natural habitat of many wild animals. Feeding, approaching, and altering the natural behavior of wildlife can lead to negative human-wildlife interactions, aggressive animals, a decline in the ecosystem’s health, and relocated or euthanized animals.
      6. Be Considerate of Others: One of the most important components of outdoor ethics is to maintain courtesy toward others. We share trails by yielding the right of way, we let nature’s sounds prevail, and we avoid excessive noise. Being considerate of others ensures everyone can enjoy nature no matter how they interact with it.

Additional Resources: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/