Leave No Trace Principles

The seven principles of Leave No Trace outline ethics to help outdoor enthusiasts, instructors, guides and centres alike to:

1. Value the natural environment;
2. Understand the impact of their activities;
3. Enable them to make decisions to minimise that impact; and
4. Enjoy their activities in a sustainable way.

Visitors to the Park should remember the following elements of the 7 Principles:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Where possible check for local and seasonal restrictions on areas you plan to visit.
• If possible plan your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Where possible travel by public transport, share cars or use a mini bus and consider all parking issues.
• Visit in small groups.
  Ideally split into groups of 4-6.
• Repackage food to minimise waste.
• Plan your route.
  Use a map (and if necessary compass) to eliminate the use and reliance on markers, cairns and other unnecessary way-markers.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Ground

• Only permitted within the dedicated onsite Caravan Park and Camp Site.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

• Carry it in, carry it out. Inspect your picnic and rest spots for rubbish or spilled foods. Carry out all rubbish, leftover food, and litter, including ALL biodegradable foods or use the bins provided.

4. Leave It As You Find It

• Respect all property such as farming and forestry equipment, stores, barns, fences and stone walls. Leave gates as you find them.
• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Conserve the present: leave rocks, flowers animals and all natural habitats as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.

5. Minimise the Effects of Fire

• No open fires permitted within Carnfunnock Country Park. 

6. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals.
  Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviour, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and rubbish securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Observe all local bylaws and notices regarding seasonal restrictions.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

7. Be Considerate of Others

• Respect other visitors, residents and those working and protect the quality of their experience and livelihoods.
• Park with consideration: avoid blocking gateways and narrow lanes to farm or maintenance vehicles, local residents or emergency services.
• Be courteous.
  Yield to other users on the path.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noise.

To practice any of the Leave No Trace ethics is very simple:

Make it hard for others to see or hear you and LEAVE NO TRACE of your visit.