Submitted by event organizers

Congratulations to the graduates of the inaugural “Leave No Trace Train the Trainer” course in the San Juan Islands.

“Leave No Trace” is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors, which includes seven principles.

Meghan Herold, the Washington State advocate for “Leave No Trace” and a staff member at Spencer Spit State Park, led the small group of six trainees through two intense but fun-filled days of both classroom and outdoor activities at Shaw Island’s community center and county park. Integral to the training was the development of individual action plans by the trainees and members of land management groups like San Juan County Parks, San Juan Conservation District, Friends of Lime Kiln Society and San Juan County Land Bank.

Nick Teague, outdoor recreation planner for the San Juan Islands National Monument, filled a pivotal role as a co-trainer and master educator. A CORE Team member from the beginning, Teague felt this course was the achievement of a long-held goal for “Leave No Trace.”

“These folks were amazing,” he said. “I believe they are going to really run with this new information and help bring ‘Leave No Trace’ in the San Juan Islands and the ‘[San Juan Island] 7’ closer to the hearts and minds of many visitors and locals alike. Being with them for two full days of learning, sharing and laughter was a real treat and honor. We are super proud of our first class graduates, and excited to welcome them to the ‘Leave No Trace’ in the San Juan Islands family and cadre of teachers.”

Erin Corra, founder and executive director for Friends of Lime Kiln Society, agreed.

“Loved the trainers, loved the subject matter, loved the place we trained, and most of all love having the tools to incorporate Leave No Trace principles into trainings and tours at Lime Kiln [State Park],” she said.

On Oct. 7, 2014, San Juan County became the first county in the U.S. designated as a voluntary “Leave No Trace” Area as they adopted the guiding principles and ethics to support stewardship in the San Juan Islands. The “Leave No Trace in the San Juan Islands CORE Team” is a sub-committee of the Terrestrial Managers Group and charged with implementing “Leave No Trace” in the San Juan Islands to help share the “San Juan Island 7” principles specifically designed for the San Juan Islands.

Read the principles at www.sanjuanco.com/1124/Leave-No-Trace.