Leave No Trace Background
Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands. The principles of Leave No Trace are supported and a key component of Hope Mountain Centre’s outdoor educational programs. Hope Mountain Centre has partnered with Leave No Trace Canada to lead and provide certification in the 3 levels of LNT training: Awareness Workshops, Trainer Courses and Master Educator Courses.
Seven Principles
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Camp Fire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Levels of Training
There are 3 levels of training recognized by Leave No Trace Canada. (diagram credit LNT.org). 
Training Level Descriptions
Awareness Workshop
This workshop is one day or less in length and can take the form of a discussion about the Leave No Trace principles or can be a full day of formal training. A workshop can be specifically designed for individual groups, such as Scouts, canoe club members, guides, etc.
Trainer Course
This 2-day course is taught mostly or totally outside and includes 1 night of camping. It is intended for outdoor recreational users who wish to teach others how to minimize their impact on the natural environment whether they are hiking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, etc. This course is ideal for guides, youth group leaders, teachers, camp counsellors, or anyone involved in environmental education. Check HERE for this year’s Hope Mountain Centre course description.
Master Educator Course
This course provides the most comprehensive level of training with 4-5 days training, including a minimum of 3 nights camping. After successful completion, students will be qualified to teach both Awareness Workshops and Trainer Courses. In addition to in-depth instruction on the seven principles of Leave No Trace, this course will teach participants how to teach other trainers. It is ideal for people in leadership positions with youth and adults in the outdoors. This includes scouting leaders, park rangers, youth group leaders, camp educational directors, or others involved in environmental education. Check HERE for 2016 Hope Mountain Centre course description.
HMC Leave No Trace Video (thanks to Shaw TV for recording and sharing on YouTube)
Partners
Hope Mountain Centre qualified instructors:
Connie Davis
Instructor
Connie is an avid backpacker and outdoor enthusiast. She has been backpacking for over 20 years and has enjoyed leading groups of youth and adults since 2000. In 2005 Connie completed a five and a half month backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. She is certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and is a nurse practitioner in her professional life.
Kelly Pearce
Instructor
Kelly is a Leave No Trace trainer and Program Director for Hope Mountain Centre. Beginning as a naturalist with BC Parks (Manning Provincial Park), he has taught ecology and human history in the North Cascades for over 20 years.
Natalie Worrall
Instructor
Natalie was raised on a remote lighthouse on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She worked for BC Fisheries for 15 years as a research technician, fish culturist and eventually became the Provincial Information and Education Coordinator. Nat took a break from professional life to raise her young kids and is now with Hope Mountain Centre as a naturalist/instructor for outdoor programs for youth. Nat's love of the outdoors, sense of ethics in nature and innate skill as an educator has fuelled her interest in spreading the Leave No Trace message.
Carley Fairbrother
Instructor
Carley is a professional teacher with a background in resource management and a Leave No Trace Master Trainer. She has had previous experience as a BC Parks ranger and worked for two years at summer camps and outdoor education programs.
