December
Imagine Leaving Nothing Behind
"What if the only sign we were here was that we cared for the place?"
Enjoying beaches, parks, waterways, and natural spaces comes with a shared responsibility to protect them. Leave No Trace is a simple idea: enjoy the outdoors while minimizing the impact we leave behind.
"Take the memory. Leave the place."
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace principles were designed for the backcountry — but they apply just as powerfully to beaches, parks, neighborhoods, trails, and waterways right here at home.
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of others.
"Respect the place enough to leave it as you found it."
Waste Prevention
Pack It In. Pack It Out.
Trash left behind doesn't stay where it lands. Wind and rain carry it into dunes, mangroves, storm drains, bays, and coastal waters — where it harms wildlife and degrades the water quality we all depend on.
"If you brought it with you, bring it back out."
World Soil Day — December 5
The Ground Beneath Us Is Alive
Soil is more than dirt. Healthy soil supports plants, stores water, anchors roots, and plays a vital role in the larger ecosystem. When we protect the soil, we protect everything that grows from it.
- Healthy plants
- Cleaner water
- Less erosion
- Stronger habitats
"Protect the soil, and you protect what grows from it."
Wildlife
Give Wildlife Room
Leave No Trace also means allowing wildlife to remain wild. Human interaction — even well-intentioned — can disrupt feeding, nesting, and natural behavior in ways that cause lasting harm.
"The best wildlife encounter is one that leaves the animal unchanged."
Imagine…
- footprints disappearing with the tide.
- a beach with nothing left behind.
- storm drains carrying only rain.
- wildlife undisturbed.
- soil protected beneath our feet.
- trees planted for someone else.
- clean water reaching the bay.
- natural places looking untouched.
- future generations finding them that way.
Imagine Leaving Nothing Behind.
"Take the memory. Leave the place."
Leave It Better
Leave It Better
Protecting natural places doesn't require grand gestures. Pick up what you brought. Leave wildlife alone. Keep harmful materials out of storm drains. Protect soil and vegetation. Plant something that will outlive you.
Small choices can determine whether the places we love remain healthy, beautiful, and alive for the people who come after us.
"Take only memories. Leave only care."
Imagine Leaving Nothing Behind.