Participating in any outdoor activity can raise many ethical concerns for people. This can include questions around whether that activity actually negatively impacts on the environment that is being used for enjoyment or should some areas be left untouched to avoid unnecessary environmental damage from humans.
These types of questions are often a source of contention for different people, with government agencies who are set up to manage land imposing rules that individuals do not like. For example, recreational fishermen may be impacted by the introduction of marine parks, designed to reduce overfishing or protect vulnerable species.
On an individual level, anyone involved in outdoor recreation can minimise their own impact on the environment by adopting certain practices and principles. An example of this is often referred to as the “leave no trace” principles. They can act as a set of guidelines to manage our own behaviours and minimising our impact on the environment we go to for enjoyment. Further detail will be provided on these in the elective units of this course. They are:
- Plan Ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other people