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Minimal Impact Camping

This document provides guidelines for minimal impact camping to reduce the human footprint on natural environments. It recommends planning ahead and knowing regulations, hiking on established trails, properly disposing of waste by burying it away from water sources, using portable toilets or established campsites, bringing rubbish out, and following guidelines around campfires, hygiene, wildlife interaction, and water treatment. The goal is to leave the area as untouched as possible by following these practices.

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173 views13 pages

Minimal Impact Camping

This document provides guidelines for minimal impact camping to reduce the human footprint on natural environments. It recommends planning ahead and knowing regulations, hiking on established trails, properly disposing of waste by burying it away from water sources, using portable toilets or established campsites, bringing rubbish out, and following guidelines around campfires, hygiene, wildlife interaction, and water treatment. The goal is to leave the area as untouched as possible by following these practices.

Uploaded by

api-527274757
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Minimal Impact Camping

Andrew Federici & Joel Tilbrook


What is Minimal Impact Camping
- Minimal impact is a code of practice that asks individuals to take care of
natural areas by leaving as minimal impact on the natural environment
- Developed by Tasmanian Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage in
1986
- It was created to reduce recreational impacts caused by walkers, hikers and
campers in world heritage areas
- Ways that individuals can minimise their impact on an environment is
rubbish, toileting, walking, campfires, feeding wildlife and good hygiene
Plan Ahead and Prepare

- Prepare for hazards, emergencies and extreme weather conditions


- Know regulations and permits that may be needed in the area
- Research the area and gain knowledge
- Determine when the area is less populated as this is better time to visit
- Do not travel in the wilderness when environment is fragile to human contact
- Check to see if fires are permitted in the area when using campfires
Hiking in natural environments

- When hiking in natural environments, make sure to take care and tread
lightly to avoid damaging flora
- Avoid disturbing native vegetation when walking
- Walk on established trails
- Do not take plants and rocks
- Do not cut trees for firewood as trees are habitats for various animals
- Leave the area as you would like to find it
Toileting appropriately
- Use toilets where provided or bring own portable toilet
- If no toilets are available, walk 100m from any water sources or campsites
- Dig a 15cm hole and either cover or take home waste
- Make sure toilet paper is covered up by the dirt and the hole is filled in
- Reason for this is to make sure it is covered and no animals can dig it up
Rubbish and Packaging

- Whatever you bring in, make sure to bring it out with you
- Do not leave rubbish lying around
- If you come across other people’s rubbish, pick it up
- Bring along trash bags for rubbish and food scraps
- Do not burn cans and bottles as they do not burn
Campfires and Campsites

- Always use established campsites; do not make new ones


- Camp at a minimum distance of 50m from lakes, streams and rivers
- Do not light a fire in designated wilderness areas
- Bring own firewood
- Use existing campfires
- Extinguish any fire created thoroughly

Established
Campfire
Hygiene

- Do not use soaps, detergents or toothpaste near water sources


- Use biodegradable dish soap when washing
- Use biodegradable soap when bathing
- Avoid using tampons and pads as they are less eco-friendly
- Menstrual cups are a better option as they are more disposable
- Bring along hand sanitizer, toilet paper for hygiene
Wildlife

- Do not disturb the animals


- Do not offer them any food
- Observe wildlife from a distance
- Avoid interrupting animals during mating or breeding season
Water and Drinking

- Do not drink water from natural resources


- Always decontaminate water if unsure when camping
- Bring your own bottle water
- Boiling water from natural sources before drinking is the most common method
- Using chlorine or iodine tablets can be used as an alternative
- If not available, then use portable micro filters and purifiers
Conclusion

- There are a list of ways that individuals need to follow to minimise their impact on the
environment
- Make sure to follow minimal impact practices to protect the natural environment
- Take care camping
- Below is a Youtube video highlighting quick useful tips to minimize the impact on the
natural environment efficiently
https://youtu.be/gIbxbWJmqEk - video link
References
•Arkell, G. (2014). Minimal Impact Camping
https://www.4wdvictoria.org.au/iconic4wd/index.php/safety-information/15-minimal-impact-camping

•Bell, J. (2020, February 26). How to go camping, hiking or to a festival while on your period. Hello
Clue. https://helloclue.com/articles/culture/how-to-go-camping-hiking-to-festival-while-on-your-period.

•C, C. Low-Impact Camping Principles. Backcountry. https://www.backcountry.com/explore/low-


impact-camping

•Minimal-Impact Camping and Hiking. Mother Earth News. (1990).


https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/minimal-impact-camping-hiking-
zmaz90jazshe.

•Minimising our impact Scouts Victoria: Australia. Scouts Victoria | Australia.


https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/activities-events/activities/environment/minimising-our-impact/.

•Leave No Trace Principles. (2020). https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/leave-no-trace.html.


Reference list continued
•Minimum Impact Camping. (2017, May 23). https://sa.paddle.org.au/2011/03/25/minimum-impact-
camping/

•Minimum Impact Camping. Reaching for The Sky. (2013, August 6).
https://mettahu.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/minimum-impact-camping/.

•Parkin , D. What is Minimal Impact? Project Nature Ed.


http://www.projectnatureed.com.au/web%20library/whatsmi.pdf.

•Water from natural resources. (2014, August 31).


https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-from-natural-resources

Yadron, S. (2019, May 25). How to Handle Your Period While Hiking and Camping. Outside Online.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2395159/how-hike-camp-your-period.

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