Leave No Trace Canada
Ongoing Projects
ARCA Member organizations are encouraged to introduce the Leave No Trace 7 Principles to their members. Please contact ARCA if your organization would like to consider an awareness workshop for your club and community.
River use impact studies and site impact mitigation.
"A 1980 study by Randy Washburne and David Cole found that more than 70% of those surveyed listed vegetation loss and soil compaction at campsites as frequent problems." (Soft Paths-NOLS) Increased recreational use has also created problems with human waste disposal.
ARCA has embarked on several projects to identify and minimize impact of recreational river and lake users. The current project has included putting pit toilets at heavily used river put ins and campsites. It is an ongoing project that also involves increasing user awareness and stewardship. More specific project information will be made available soon.
Leave No Trace
When paddling consider the following principles from the Leave No Trace program.
Principles of Leave No Trace
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
2008 WORKSHOPS:
2008 Leave No Trace Canada-Alberta Trainer Course
Date TBA but expected in July or August 2008
Leave No Trace Canada: Teaching Outdoor Ethics and Skills
ARCA Members are invited to send one club rep to this important training weekend. It is a canoe-based course on the North Saskatchewan River near Rocky Mountain House. You will learn the Leave No Trace principles and practices as applied to paddling-related activities in and around natural water environments.
ARCA is covering your course fee. All you need to do is register and attend the course. After the course, ARCA asks that you provide Awareness Workshops/Sessions to your club/org members. As a qualified Awareness Trainer, you can offer Awareness Workshops that can be one hour, a day or even a weekend trip.
On this Trainer Course, you will be canoe tripping, thus you must bring your own paddling equipment and food, and everything you will need to trip on the river. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the course.
Help your paddling organization contribute to protecting your paddling environment. Register early as their is a limit.
To Register contact:
Mike Horembala, LNT Canada, Board of Directors
Email: paddling@telus.net
Phone: Home (403) 887-1979
For more information check the Leave No Trace Canada website.
Read their online newsletter to learn about more courses in
Alberta and the Leave No Trace Program in Canada.
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Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Many of the ARCA clubs have a shoreline clean-up in their community:
- Bow Waters Canoe Club
- David Thompson Paddling Club Email: mhorembala@wrsd.ca
Contact the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup website for information about how your club and community can have a shoreline cleanup.
Water Quality Assessment Day
Contact Aqualta to receive a water quality assessment kit and test your local water on Water Quality Assessment Day.
