Green Tip of the Day

Hiking

Next time you hit the trails, lower your impact. Just follow a few simple principles for the good of the planet and your future outdoor excursions.

Even if you visit a place only once, leaving things as you found them ensures that others can enjoy it as much as you did. Try to bring food (or repack it) that doesn't have a lot of packaging - you'll have less of a chance of leaving litter behind.

Only 10% of American prairies are still around, and 90% of old-growth forests have been lost to logging. Little things like packing out litter help keep what's left pristine.

Getting outside's great for your sanity, hiking burns calories, and a trip to the state park's way cheaper than most vacations.

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints."

Leave what you find. That means rocks, flowers, anything you see (though feel free to pack out trash you find)…and try not to introduce any nonnative species (even stuff like apple seeds) on your hike.