National Leave No Trace Training open to the public in Roanoke and New River Valleys, September 24-28, 2105

SIGN UP FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, HERE.

What do McAfee Knob, Saguaro National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore and Linville Gorge have in common? All are among the twelve national Leave No Trace Hot Spots for 2015. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers team are partnering with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and Appalachian Trail Conservancy to host community events and educational activities September 24-28, 2015.

The Hot Spot Program, a key component of the Leave No Trace in Every Park initiative, raises community awareness and brings solutions to popular natural areas around the country facing heavy recreational use and consequently, the threat of harm to trails, parks and open space areas. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers travel throughout the country providing public education about how to reduce impacts in the outdoors.

“The cumulative impact of so many people enjoying a great viewpoint such as McAfee Knob can have negative effects,” according to Stephanie Whatton, Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer. “In most cases, the land impact isn’t due to a malicious intent to harm nature and wildlife. Instead, it’s simply lack of Leave No Trace education and practices.”

The following Leave No Trace events are free and open to the public:

Leave No Trace Workshop at Soaring Ridge Brewery, Thursday, September 24, 2015. 6-7 pm: What better place to explore outdoor ethics and learn Leave No Trace principles than a craft brewery that serves up a Switchback IPA and a Trailhead Brown Ale? The training is from 6-7, but by all means plan to hang out before and after. Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers, 523 Shenandoah Ave NW, Roanoke, VA

National Public Lands Day at McAfee Knob and Volunteer Trail Clean Up, Saturday, September 26, 2015 9 am- 3 pm: To celebrate National Public Lands Day and McAfee Knob’s week as a Leave No Trace Hot Spot, join Subuaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers and the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club as they lead a major volunteer work day targeting the A.T. around the Catawba Valley. Use this link to sign up.

Leave No Trace Workshop at Back Country Ski and Sport in Blacksburg, Monday, September 28, 2015 5:30-6:15 pm: Learn simple and easy tips on how to apply Leave No Trace principles when recreating outdoors. Backcountry Ski and Sport, 3710 Main Street, Blacksburg V

For more background and contacts see McAfeeKnob_FINAL press release LNT.