(NAPSA)—In an age when outdoor recreation is increasingly a sport of choice—The U.S. Department of the Interior reports nearly 300 million visitors to our National Parks annually, and expects that number to grow by another 100 million in five years—it is everyone’s responsibility to exercise responsible outdoor practices. To help, a not-for-profit program has been set up to educate all types of outdoor enthusiasts on how to respect and conserve natural resources. The group, known as Tread Lightly!, focuses on education, restoration and research in an effort to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and “Leave A Good Impression.” The Tread Lightly! principles are summarized in its pledge: Travel and recreate with minimum impact Respect the environment and the rights of others Educate yourself—plan and prepare before you go Allow for future use of the outdoors—leave it better than you foundit Discover the rewards of responsible recreation To that end, the group has set up a Tread Trainer™ program. Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the program provides the tools and information necessary in spreading the message of ethical and responsible recreation by volunteers. Through one-day courses held at various sites around the country, volunteers can get professional training on information and skills in presenting mini- Training Specialist, instructs others to Tread Lightly! and Leave a Good Impression. mum impact principles. The “leave a good impression” message can be spread through workshops and training opportunities for clubs, individuals, organizations and the general public. Said Lori Davis, executive director of Tread Lightly!, “The program is an essential step needed to reach the ever-increasing population of individuals outdoors nationwide. The program has the ability to spread the message to millions by traininga relative few.” Davis expects this to lead to a greater level of positive recreation behaviors among outdoor enthusiasts, more opportunity for the general public to make a difference and a network of people who understand responsible recreation and outdoor ethics, thus aiding in the conservation of our land and water resources for future use. You can learn more online at www.treadlightly.org or call (800) 966-9900.
