Biblical Leave No Trace

Biblical Principles for Leave No Trace Hiking and Camping (c) Creation Speaks, 2009

The Bible teaches us that we should be careful stewards of the earth that God has entrusted to our care. This includes the care of the earth’s resources as well as of the plants and animals that live there. Although the Bible does not explicity approach the topic of how we should hike or camp, given the heavy use that occurs in many areas we feel that the “Leave No Trace” principles are a great way to enjoy the backcountry and that Christians should give careful consideration to the way in which they impact the natural world around them. Following are some practical, scriptural tips for avoiding or minimizing negative impacts to the land while you are enjoying the wild places that God created. These are roughly modeled after the Leave No Trace principles as found at www.lnt.org.

Hike and camp on durable surfaces Many shepherds will…trample down my field; they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate wasteland…the whole land will be laid waste because there is no one who cares. Jer. 12:10-11

Intact native plant communities are vital for sustaining well-balanced ecosystems, including wildlife vitality, erosion control, and water clarity. Additionally, many plant species interact with each other and are interdependent. By caring for native vegetation you are truly caring for the entire ecosystem that surrounds you.

Hike and camp on durable surfaces such as established trails and campsites, rock surfaces, gravel bars, dry grasses or snow. When camping and hiking in heavily-used areas, this is as simple as using established trails and campsites where the vegetation has already been crushed and killed.

Also, just as the verse in Jeremiah talks about “many shepherds”, be conscientious of how large of a group you take into the wild places. The larger the group the more likely you are to leave a trampled and damaged landscape behind you, and the longer it will take for native vegetation to recover.

Pack it in, pack it out Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins. Lev. 26:33b Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6

The Bible does not mention litter and garbage as an environmental concern. This is probably due to the fact that during the time when the Bible was written all possessions were made from natural materials, so nothing that was left out would really cause damage to the ecosystem. We do, however, find the constant use of the term “lay waste” in reference to destruction and judgment.

Avoid “laying waste” to the land by carrying out whatever you carry in. Many of our material possessions today are not made from natural materials and one carelessly-dropped piece of plastic can remain in the soil for many years to come. While plastics are especially harmful due to their toxic properties and the threat to animals that ingest them, other types of litter can also be toxic and harmful to the ecosystem. And besides the harmful aspects of litter, nobody wants to walk through a pristine wild area just to find somebody else’s garbage.

Finally, the main reason why people leave trash where it doesn’t belong is laziness. The Bible clearly condemns laziness and commands us to use our energy for constructive purposes. The wise care for creation is one of these biblically-mandated purposes.

Dispose of human waste properly Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. Deut. 23:12-13

God knew what he was talking about! If you’ve ever suffered from infections of giardia or E. coli, you know the importance of the proper treatment of human waste. Proper treatment not only avoids the spread of disease, it also eliminates the foul smells and unpleasant sights that occur when people poop where they shouldn’t. Here are some basic rules to follow:

Find a spot at least 200 feet from streams and other water sources. This will avoid water contamination by fecal bacteria.
Find a spot at least 200 feet from trails and campsites to minimize the chance of human exposure to your waste.
Bury your waste in the top 6-8 inches of soil. These top few inches of soil tend to be high in organic matter and all of the bacteria and fungi that break down that organic matter. These organisms will work to break down human waste as well.
Carry bath water and dish water at least 200 feet from camp, trails and water sources, and use small amounts of biodegradable soap.

Be considerate of others Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

The other people you encounter in the backcountry are there to enjoy the beauty of creation just as much as you are. Here are some ideas of how you can show respect to strangers while hiking and camping.

Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Camp away from trails and other visitors. Take your hiking breaks off-trail as well, preferably out of sight from other hikers.
Avoid making unnecessary loud noises.
Minimize your visual impact to others by choosing earth tones and muted colors for your clothing, tent, backpack, etc.

Also consider the impact on others when you disturb the land. Since you and they are both there to enjoy the land as it is, practice a “leave what you find” ethic.

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures or furniture, or dig trenches.

Care for water sources Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Ezek. 34:18

Caring for your water sources in the wilderness is not only beneficial for you but also for other backcountry users and for the animals that live there. Avoid trampling and muddying water holes. Use several access points to reach stream sides so that you lessen your impact on vegetation. Intact vegetation maintains water clarity by anchoring soils; it helps to regulate flow; and it also plays a role in regulating water temperatures for fish and other aquatic creatures. Another way to minimize damage to water sources is to carry water in containers as much as possible, so that fewer trips to the water source are needed. Finally, conserve and reuse your water in camp as much as possible.

Plan ahead and prepare It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. Proverbs 20:25

While going hiking or camping is not exactly a matter of vows, once you’ve left civilization you are definitely dedicated – or committed – to spending time in the outdoors with whatever you have chosen to take with you. By planning and preparing you can ensure that your activities will have minimal impact on the land.

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups to lessen overall impact
Avoid times of high use, or choose an alternate location to avoid the crowds.
Use a map and compass or a GPS instead of trail ribbons, tree blazes, or rock cairns.
Repackage food to minimize waste; use reusable packaging or packaging that takes up less space.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.

Allow the land, animals and plants to rest (Sabbath principle) For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. Exodus 23:10-11

God was clear in setting forth principles of rest and respite, not only for man but also for animals, for plants, and for the land. Established campsites may never be allowed to “rest” due to their continual use, but by using such sites you can avoid overuse of nearby areas that are still intact. More importantly, however, is that you recognize marginal sites that are damaged but not yet destroyed. Avoid these sites and allow them to rest. In fact, it is better to camp in a pristine location (leaving no traces, of course), than to add to the damage of a marginal site, because the pristine location is more able to rebound after you leave. A marginal site, on the other hand, is less able to rebound and your activities may even cause the site to enter into a downward spiral of environmental degradation.

The soil itself also needs to rest. Because campfires sterilize the soil beneath them and the ashes and charcoal that remain can inhibit plant growth, it’s important that you restore your fire pit to as natural a condition as possible so that the site can rebound. Start by using established fire rings, a fire pan, or a camp stove. If you build a fire on bare ground you should keep the fire small and use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash so that no lumps of charcoal remain. Before leaving the site you should dig up the pit to mix ashes and charcoal with soil. Add in fresh, “live” soil and organic matter from outside the pit to help restore healthy soil ecology within the pit. Scatter the stones that formed the ring and cover the area with natural materials such as leaves or pine needles to disguise its use so that other people will be less likely to use the same spot.

Respect wildlife The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches…There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees…The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. Psalm 104:12, 17-18 (KJV)

The Bible is full of images of wild animals living the way their Creator made them to live. Their wildness is a wonderful and mysterious thing that shows the care of God toward His creatures. Unless you are purposefully trying to pursue animals, such as while hunting, you should allow them to live their life with minimal disruption.

Observe them from a distance. Chasing or following them causes them to expend energy to get away from you that they should be using instead to procure food and water, or for procreation. It can also cause them to leave areas where they normally feel protected, thereby exposing them to predators.
Don’t feed the animals. Feeding wildlife can damage their health by introducing new foods that they are not accustomed to eating. It can also make them reliant on handouts, causing them to abandon natural food sources. This can have deadly repercussions.
Store your food and garbage securely so that animals are less likely to get into it.
If you must bring your pet, keep it on a leash or under strict voice commands at all times.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times such as while mating, nesting, raising young, or during the winter.

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