MINIMAL IMPACT

STRATEGIES

CAMPINGGracie Howe

WHAT IS MINIMAL IMPACT???

Minimal Impact is a code of practise that is designed for certain activities in the natural environment to help maintain a health environment and minimise the amount of damage inflicted on it by

human users.

MINIMUM IMPACT CAMPING GUIDELINESOver many years camping has become more

and more popular among Australians as there are many environments in our country that offer idea places to camp.

Although the increase in campers is a positive, it has lead to damage to certain areas with rubbish, erosion and other factors present in some environmental areas.

The following minimal impact strategies are derived from Keith McRae of the Canberra College of Advanced Education who saw the importance of creating guidelines for the general public to use when camping.

UNDERSTANDING All members of the group participating

in the camping trip should have a good understanding of the environment they are visiting and the basic minimal impact strategies that should be used.

All campers should aim to leave the environment in a state that looks as though no humans have been to the area.

TRAVELLING IN THE WILDERNESS ENVIRONMENT Follow wildlife or other tracks wherever

possible and walk on boulders or stony ground rather than soil if it is possible to do so.

Eliminate all unnecessary or loud noise whenever travelling.

CAMPSITES Campsites should be located at least 30

metres away from natural water. Avoid areas which are frequently visited by

wildlife, near tall trees or cliff bottoms. Use an existing campsite rather than make a

new one in the same area Do not dig ditches around tents, especially in

delicate areas, as this causes unnecessary damage to plants and surface soil conditions.

Avoid spending more than two days at any one campsite unless it is an already established site.

FIRES AND FIREWOOD Try cook all food on fuel/gas stoves.

Avoid burning wood to cook food. Fires should only be lit in emergency

situations. The following guidelines are given only for such an emergency.

Avoid lighting a fire on a windy day Do not ring fires with rocks or build

them against reflecting rocks. Attend the fire constantly. Restore the fireplace area and leave as

few traces as possible.

DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTE Dig individual 'cat-holes' with trowel or

heel of boot in soil with a proportion of organic material if possible to dispose of human waste.

Use single-ply white toilet paper and then burn it if possible.

Urinate in humus areas well away from water sources, and avoid fragile vegetation.

DISPOSAL OF RUBBISH Aim to carry as little rubbish-producing

material as possible and take all rubbish with you when leaving area.

Avoid burying food scraps, leaving them lying around, throwing them away or leaving them behind rocks or trees.

Check all campsites immediately prior to departure to ensure that no litter is inadvertently left behind.

WASHING OF BODIES, CLOTHES AND UTENSILS Washing should be performed without

soap or detergent. If plates or utensils are greasy, wipe

with paper to remove as much as possible and then hot water wash

Do not swim in waterholes unless the water is flowing.

PROTECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS AND WILDLIFE Resist the temptation to feed birds and

animals Respect the needs of birds and animals

for undisturbed privacy Avoid damaging plants, particularly in

fragile areas Do not use natural materials for shelter

except in emergency situations Try to avoid 'bush-bashing‘ Avoid wilfully damaging or destroying any

living or non-living part of the natural community

RESULT If all campers follow these minimal

impact strategies there will be decreased environmental impact and damage, and increased protection of natural environments.

TAKE NOTHING BUTPHOTOGRAPHS

–LEAVE NOTHING BUT

FOOTSTEPS

BIBLIOGRAPHY http://

www.communitywebs.org/scientificexpeditiongroup/pdf/MINIMUM%20IMPACT%20GUIDELINES.pdf