Time for Nature

Leaving little footprints

April 16, 2007

Printable version (111 KB)

Keeping the environment in mind when visiting a national park

Hiking has almost no effect on the environment, right? Well - not quite right! It's true that most wilderness trips are gentle on park ecosystems. But let's look at the bigger picture. Practically everything we do has an environmental impact.

When we travel by car, bus or plane to reach the trailhead, we burn fuel and produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are implicated in climate change . We buy clothes, equipment and food for the trip. These products require raw materials from mines, forests and farms. And their production yields wastes and pollutants.

What is an "ecological footprint"?

Whatever we do, we leave an "ecological footprint," which is a measure of our effect on the environment. It's a hypothetical area of land that would be required to produce the food and raw materials we use, and absorb our wastes. The more lavish our lifestyles, the larger our footprints, and the greater our environmental impact.

How big is your footprint?

You can measure your own ecological footprint on-line . You may be surprised by its size! But all of us can reduce our footprint.

Think small!

If you are planning to visit a national park, consider the following:

• Which is the closest park that meets your recreation needs? Check out our national park on the Internet to find the parks closet to you.
• Is public transit available for all or part of the trip? Is it feasible to ride a bicycle to the park or perhaps to cycle, walk or hike while in the park?
• Where will you stay? Tent camping en route or in the park is usually more environmentally friendly than staying in a hotel, which consumes energy for air conditioning, lighting and other facilities.
• What will you eat? Locally produced foods use relatively little energy for transportation.
• Will you " leave no trace " in the park? You can minimize your in-park footprint by keeping to marked trails, packing out your waste, and taking only photographs for souvenirs.

Tell your friends!

Parks Canada relies on informed visitors like you to do their best for the environment. And while you're planning your trips, talk to your friends, and encourage them to measure their own footprint. Together, we can tread lightly in our parks and on our planet.

For more information about visiting national parks, contact Parks Canada .

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