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Leave No Trace Backyard Sessions

In 2011 the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics introduced a new social activism and environmental stewardship campaign called the Backyard Sessions. Backyard Sessions are designed to bring together and activate local Leave No Trace communities; to find ways communities can incorporate Leave No Trace into all of the ways they live and play. The events are social, fun interactions and generally include at least one form of Leave No Trace training or outreach. Backyard Sessions hope to inspire volunteerism and motivate people to get more involved with Leave No Trace education and action at the local level. Backyard Sessions enable communities to facilitate and support more local collaboration and volunteerism around Leave No Trace.

Previous Backyard Sessions

Febuary 2011: San Diego, CA
Febuary 2011: Houston, TX
March 2011: Lake Tahoe, CA
March 25, 2011: Missoula, MT
April 18, 2011: Seattle, WA
May 1, 2011: Phoenix, AZ
June 27-28, 2011: Seattle, WA
July 13, 2011: Bend, OR
July 16, 2011: Brunswick, GA
August 15, 2011: Boston, MA
September 24, 2011: St. Paul, MN
October 20, 2011: Little Rock, AR

Upcoming Backyard Sessions

February 6th, 2012: Boulder, CO
May 26th. 2012: Buena Vista, CO

General Information

Backyard Sessions are social events where all types of Leave No Trace supporters, members, volunteers and partners will gather, meet new friends, socialize, learn about current Leave No Trace programs, share food, drink and camaraderie. Most sessions will have one or more of the following elements, and possibly a Leave No Trace educational session built in:

Meet and greet at REI or other specialty retailer
Outdoor Service Project (clean up, trail work)
Kids training (utilizing our PEAK program activities)
Family outdoor activity (from a hike to picnic in local or state park)
Film showing or slide show (Adventure films are available to the Center)
Constituency Building Rally – membership incentives, contests at sessions
Science/research resident expert (depending on the location and audience, the Center will invite guest speakers to talk about their involvement with Leave No Trace research and current findings regarding efficacy, recreation ecology, etc.)
Bigfoot appearance (our Bigfoot mascot is available for Backyard Sessions)

For more information about hosting or to attend a Backyard Session, contact Education Programs Coordinator Jason Grubb.

Bigfoot awards a Leave No Trace Community Grant to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association at the March Backyard Session in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Backyard Session Reporting Form

Let us know what you though about your Backyard Session!

Event Reporting Form