Tips for Exploring the Earth with Care

By Jem Hanan, Contributing Blogger

With Earth Day on the horizon, there is no better time to pick up some tips that will make our Earth a brighter and more beautiful place. As the backdrop to many an adventure, our planet should never be far from our minds, whether that be on a simple walk or a weekend camping trip. Read on to see how even the smallest habits can make a world of difference for protecting our Earth. 

1. Packing Out

Any trash, from a protein bar wrapper to a bottle cap, does not belong among wildlife. To deter from even accidentally littering, bring a bag or container specifically designated for trash. When you find yourself with a bit of litter, dump it into the bag so you don’t forget. Then, at the end of your hike, paddle or any adventure in between, dump all your collected trash. While you’re at it, pick up any other trash you find on your journey—the other adventurers and the Earth will thank you for it. 

2. Repackaging Items

Jumping off of our last tip, a great way to prevent carrying trash altogether is repackaging food in reusable containers. Items like silicon pouches or lidded containers are great alternatives to individual wrappers, tin foil, or plastic bags. They keep food just as fresh and leave you with half the mess! If you plan on rinsing these containers on the trail, wash them at least 200 feet from streams or lakes.

3. Choose Where You Set Up Camp

Camping is an excellent way to connect with mother nature, but there are also steps that you can take to minimize your environmental impact. When setting up camp, try and seek out existent campsites or a durable surface like rock or dry grass. A camp stove is best for cooking rather than a fire; however, if you do choose to build a fire, keep it small, and use only dead wood. After extinguishing your fire completely, be sure to scatter the cool ashes. In these minimal ways, camping remains a safe activity for you and our planet!

4. Respect the Wildlife 

While seeing wildlife in, well, the wild, may be exciting, it's important to be respectful of the animals in their natural habitat. Close-up photos, for example, are less-than-ideal as they can cause stress, which is dangerous for both the animal and you. Instead, photograph from a distance, or simply observe with a pair of binoculars. Do not feed wildlife—human food is not nature’s intended diet for any kind of critter. 

5. Admire Ecosystems from Afar

In the same spirit as Tip #4, do your best not to disturb the ecosystem of wherever you choose to adventure. Picking flowers or removing rocks may seem harmless, but impacts the larger, natural systems at play. It’s better to admire nature's beauty than to take it for yourself. If you’re a well-traveled wanderer, remember to clean your shoes and other gear before embarking on your next trip to avoid introducing non-native species into a new environment. 

At the heart of every outdoor adventure is a simple truth: we’re visitors in these wild spaces. And like any good guest, it’s our responsibility to leave them better than we found them. Whether that means picking up a stray wrapper, sticking to well-worn paths, or just pausing to appreciate the quiet, every small choice matters.

This Earth Day—and every day after—let’s continue to explore with care, tread with purpose, and protect the places that bring us so much joy. After all, there’s no adventure without the Earth beneath our feet.