Earlier this month, we asked Yosemite fans to show us what inspires them to “Leave No Trace” in the park. We received dozens of wonderful photos that left us feeling even more motivated to practice and share LNT tactics — thank you to everyone who submitted images and ideas!
Some of the photos featured specific places, such as Dog Lake, Mirror Lake and Tenaya Lake, that hold a special place in fans’ hearts. Others highlighted plants and animals that rely on healthy habitats, including pine and elm trees, meadow flowers, mule deer and songbirds. Several submissions spoke of protecting the landscape for the next generation, or in honor of past ones. And many made a case for minimizing one’s impact in order to preserve intangible qualities that make Yosemite so special, including its ability to nurture serenity, wonder, joy and an appreciation for natural beauty at any scale, from tiny butterflies to vast starry skies.
Congratulations to Vannessa G., whose photo of a wildflower-dotted meadow (see above) took the top spot in our photo contest! She paired the image with an inspiring message about protecting places like this: “Imagine candy wrappers and beer bottles in this meadow. #LeaveNoTrace allows us to see mother nature in her true form, simply clean and utterly picture perfect.”
Scroll down to see some of the other submitted images, and be sure to connect with us on social media to stay in the loop for future contests. (We’re @YosemiteConservancy on Facebook and Instagram, and @YoseConservancy on Twitter.)
Photo: Bailey H.
Photo: Matthew M.
Photo: Anne K.
Photo: Lynn S.
Photo: Lynn H.
Photo: Jake G.
Photo: William R.
Photo: Janet A.
Photo: Matt N.
Photo: Misti W.
Photo: Nathan W.
Photo: Andrew E.
Feeling inspired to “Leave No Trace”? Our Yosemite fans shared a few tips to help you minimize your environmental impact on your next trip:
- Do a final sweep of your campsite (and picnic spots) for anything you, or others, might have left behind. Keep a close eye out for “microtrash,” such as little pieces of plastic, that might be hard to spot.
- Plan ahead so you can pack out everything — including food scraps and toilet paper. Resealable zipper bags are a handy tool to have in your pack!
- Carry an extra trash bag so you can pick up and carry out litter and recyclables that you find along the trail.
- Make your own minimal-impact mantra. Here are few examples to get you started, adapted from ideas shared by our social media fans and LNT photo contestants: Tread lightly. Take only photos. Enjoy views framed by trees, not trash. Think about future adventurers. Leave it better than you found it.
Practicing LNT techniques will help you minimize your footprint, but you’ll probably still come across traces left behind by hikers and backpackers — traces that you can help erase, by supporting restoration projects in the park. Check out our posts about Lyell Canyon, Tenaya Lake, Mariposa Grove and other restored areas to see how your gifts can help restore impacted areas throughout Yosemite. Go forth and tread lightly!
