Most people who enjoy activities such as hiking and camping have heard the advice to "take only pictures and leave only footprints," but practical tips on how to actually do that are sometimes in short supply. If you'd like to be a low-impact visitor to parks and other outdoor areas, the "Leave No Trace" video can provide some useful tips, and it's now available on-line.

According to information from the NPS, the video is

a great place for campers to learn where to pitch a tent and how to cook in wilderness so that no one will know you were there. It even covers what do to – ahem – when Mother Nature calls.

The 9½ minute video, on-line for the first time, addresses the importance of taking a personal role in preserving the outdoor experience for future generations. It provides a vivid and adventurous display of outdoor scenery, showcasing wild animals, breathtaking scenery, and presents how people can incorporate Leave No Trace principles when they are outdoors.

“We hope the video inspires people to take a wilderness trip,” said Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. “The more people know about making the right choices while camping and enjoying the backcountry, the better we can protect these special places for future generations of hikers and campers.”

You can view the video on-line at this link, and DVD copies are also available for individuals, colleges, universities, summer camps, and groups from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado. The DVD is free, but shipping and handling charges will apply. For information about ordering a DVD, you can call (800) 332-4100 or visit www.LNT.org .

If you have a website, and would like information about hosting the video on your site, contact Wade Vagias with the National Park Service at [email protected] or (202) 513-7124.