leave no trace--
training & Professional Development
Wild Alabama is proud to be a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Partner, a distinction that recognizes organizations demonstrating the highest commitment to Leave No Trace principles through education, stewardship, and leadership. As part of this partnership, Wild Alabama offers a variety of Leave No Trace courses throughout the year, tailored to volunteers, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and community members.
Using the power of science, education for all, and hands-on stewardship, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. The Leave No Trace principles provide a research-based framework that helps people enjoy the outdoors responsibly while minimizing impacts on natural and cultural resources.
Level One and Level Two Instructors play a critical role in this mission by teaching Leave No Trace ethics, modeling responsible behavior, and empowering others to make informed decisions in outdoor spaces. These instructors help ensure that education reaches a wide range of audiences—from casual day hikers to backcountry users, educators, and land managers.
Wild Alabama is proud to be a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Partner, a distinction that recognizes organizations demonstrating the highest commitment to Leave No Trace principles through education, stewardship, and leadership. As part of this partnership, Wild Alabama offers a variety of Leave No Trace courses throughout the year, tailored to volunteers, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and community members.
Leave No Trace Courses Offered by Wild Alabama
-
Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops
-
Introductory sessions designed to help participants understand and apply the seven principles of Leave No Trace in everyday outdoor recreation.
-
-
Leave No Trace Level One Instructor Courses
-
In-depth, multi-day courses that train participants to teach Leave No Trace ethics and lead educational efforts in their communities.
-
-
Leave No Trace Skills Courses
-
Hands-on trainings focused on applying Leave No Trace principles in real-world settings, including front country, backcountry, and wilderness environments.
-
-
Through this partnership, Wild Alabama works to foster a culture of respect, responsibility, and care for Alabama’s public lands—helping ensure that our forests, trails, and wilderness areas remain healthy and accessible for generations to come.
To learn more about the trainings available, check out our Events Page at the top or contact our Leave No Trace Level II Instructors:
Bankhead National Forest:
Lindsay Madison--lindsay@wildal.org
Talladega National Forest:
Jonathan Kelly--jonathan@wildal.org
To learn more about Leave No Trace and its principles, visit www.lnt.org.
Leave No Trace Principles
1
🌲Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the regulations, weather, terrain, and special concerns of the area you’ll visit to minimize risk and impact.
Trail Tip:
Check weather and water levels before hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness, where creek crossings can become dangerous after heavy rain. Know permit rules and seasonal closures in Bankhead and Talladega National Forests.
2
🥾Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stay on established trails and campsites to protect fragile vegetation and reduce erosion.
Trail Tip:
Stay on established trails and campsites to protect fragile sandstone soils and prevent erosion in canyon areas of Bankhead and Cheaha.
3
🗑️Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Follow proper guidelines for human waste disposal.
Trail Tip:
Pack out all trash—including food scraps—and follow proper human waste practices. What’s left behind often ends up in creeks feeding Alabama’s rivers.
4
🍃Leave What You Find
Preserve the past and natural features by leaving rocks, plants, artifacts, and other objects as you found them.
Trail Tip:
Leave wildflowers, fossils, historic artifacts, and natural features where they are. Nutting stones, old homesteads, and rare plants are part of Alabama’s shared heritage.
5
🔥Minimize Campfire Impacts
Use a camp stove when possible. Where fires are permitted, keep them small and use established fire rings.
Trail Tip:
If fires are allowed, use existing fire rings and keep fires small—especially during dry seasons when wildfire risk is high.
6
🦉Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance, never feed animals, and store food securely to protect both wildlife and people.
Trail Tip:
Observe wildlife quietly and from a distance. Store food securely to avoid attracting raccoons, bears, or other animals common in Alabama’s forests.
7
🤝Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect others by keeping noise levels down, yielding on trails when appropriate, and preserving opportunities for solitude.
Trail Tip:
Yield to uphill hikers, keep voices low in narrow canyons, and allow others to enjoy the quiet and solitude that wilderness is meant to provide.