WILDERNESS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

It is vital that participants realize the importance of gaining new knowledge of the environment and how to minimize damage to the natural habitat. Enlightened outdoor users are attempting to travel and camp with a minimum of impact on the environment. The philosophy of  "wise use without abuse" will ensure the preservation of camp sites for future generations.

Planning

Keep the group size small. The ecological impact of a group, however, is not simply a matter of numbers. Two careless people can do more damage than seven careful ones. The ability of an area to support human activity varies and will affect the size and number of groups traveling the habitat.

Prepare carefully. Everything you need will be carried with you. If you pack it in, pack it out.

• Research the area to become familiar with federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations.
• Conduct pre-trip discussion and instruction with all groups.
• Carry adequate food supplies. Do not rely on the environment.
• Carry proper equipment.

Traveling

Use existing trails and portages and stay within their confines. Conduct a careful study of the environmental implications before considering making a new trail.

Use switch backs in trails. Do not cut a new trail to save 50 meters.

Limit the wearing of lug soled footwear unless absolutely necessary, as it tends to tear up the vegetation and can lead to unnecessary erosion of the terrain.

Respect private property. Obtain travel permits or ask permission to cross private property.

Camp sites and Shelters

Use existing camp sites. Keep heavy use confined to a small area because of soil compaction.

Do not over stay. Do not expand the campsite.

Use a tent or a plastic tarp. Refrain from using natural materials for shelter construction except in emergency situations.

Refrain from landscaping the campsite.

Use natural drainage. Do not dig trenches, especially in delicate environments.

Change footwear to lower impact shoes while staying in and around the same camp area.

Fires

Use stoves (preferably): where law and local regulations dictate; where there is a fire hazard; where serious danger to the ecosystem exists; and where there is little or no firewood.

Obtain fire permits where applicable and notify the Department of Natural Resources of your burning schedule.

Keep fires small.

Use existing fire pits. If the area is undisturbed, remove any evidence of the fire after use.

Where a fire pit is absent, dig to the mineral level of the soil, avoiding the combustible soil, roots and overhanging trees. Save sand to cover cold ashes. Replace sod.

Use only deadwood for the fire, using wood no larger than 5 - 8 cm in diameter.

Burn all wood completely to a white ash. Retrieve non-combustibles such as foil, tin cans, glass, and pack it all out.

Douse the fire thoroughly. Stir the ashes and the area surrounding the ashes. Douse again. Eliminate the scars where possible.

Human Waste

Use existing out houses.

If there are no out houses, bury human waste in a small, shallow latrine (ëcat holeí) 15 - 20 cm deep at least 50 meters from open water.

Use single ply, white toilet paper and burn or bury it completely.

Other Waste

What is taken in must be taken out. Burn it, bash it, bag it, and bring it back.

Personal hygiene activities like brushing teeth and washing hair should be carried out in pans designated for such use. Different pans should be used for the washing of dishes and clothing.

Cleaning of any type must not take place in a lake or stream. Water used for personal hygiene or to wash dishes and clothes must be disposed of in a pit located at least 50 meters from a bank or shoreline.

If using soap, use mild biodegradable soap, but never in a lake or stream.

Wildlife and Natural Foods

You are a guest in someone's home (nature), so act accordingly.

Avoid over-fishing, over-hunting, and over-trapping. Obtain necessary licenses, such as fishing licenses.

Obey all fish, game and forestry laws and regulations. It is also important to help challenge the laws, which are environmentally unsound.

Do not pick edible wild foods except where they are clearly abundant. Never pick wild flowers, especially where there are not very many of that particular species in the area. Some species are killed when picked.

Avoid camping or traveling through environmentally sensitive or ecologically unique areas.

Clean Up the Mistakes of Other People

Pack out all non-biodegradable garbage that you find.

Fill in over sized latrines that are situated too close to the water.

Inform authorities of the mistakes of others if they are too extensive for you to deal with.

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