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Call me an optimist, but I believe we’re all born with an innate desire to be earth stewards. It’s human nature to protect what we love. The problem is, the complexities of our modern world sometimes cause us to forget its importance. As we vie for parking spots in crowded parking lots and celebrate overnight deliveries of our monthly wine subscriptions, it’s easy to de-prioritize doing the right thing for the preservation of our planet because in the daily grind, there’s seemingly more critical things to think about.

Call me an optimist, but I believe we’re all born with an innate desire to be earth stewards. It’s human nature to protect what we love. The problem is, the complexities of our modern world sometimes cause us to forget its importance. As we vie for parking spots in crowded parking lots and celebrate overnight deliveries of our monthly wine subscriptions, it’s easy to de-prioritize doing the right thing for the preservation of our planet because in the daily grind, there’s seemingly more critical things to think about.

But that’s a flawed system and those accidentally thoughtless habits can work their way into how we act when we’re out in the wild. We’ve all seen trashed campsites, widened trails, tents placed right next to that babbling creek on the ‘gram, and smoke rising from a campsite nearby during a fire ban. It’s collective destruction, when person after person does one little thing without stewardship in mind. But we can change that collectively, too. We can each do our part, through willingness to educate ourselves on stewardship principles and then by adhering to them. Easy, right? Simple as a one pot mac n cheese over a non-simmering camp stove.

But that’s a flawed system and those accidentally thoughtless habits can work their way into how we act when we’re out in the wild. We’ve all seen trashed campsites, widened trails, tents placed right next to that babbling creek on the ‘gram, and smoke rising from a campsite nearby during a fire ban. It’s collective destruction, when person after person does one little thing without stewardship in mind. But we can change that collectively, too. We can each do our part, through willingness to educate ourselves on stewardship principles and then by adhering to them. Easy, right? Simple as a one pot mac n cheese over a non-simmering camp stove.

I’m here to tell you that the first step is simply playing outside. Recreation outdoors can look like many things and there’s no right way. But regardless of the landscape on which you’re exploring or your activity of choice, those moments in nature buoy up that innate stewardship we were all born with and make us care a little more. The more we’re out there, the more we tend to grow our desire to learn what responsible recreation looks like. It lights a spark in us to be one of the good ones, as we see for miles and connect a little deeper with the prickly pear and the mountain goats.

Once that open air has pulled on your heartstrings, tune in to resources that provide education. Leave No Trace has led outdoor recreation with guiding principles for many years. Learn the principles, live the principles, help teach the principles to others. Always be learning, never be done.

I’m here to tell you that the first step is simply playing outside. Recreation outdoors can look like many things and there’s no right way. But regardless of the landscape on which you’re exploring or your activity of choice, those moments in nature buoy up that innate stewardship we were all born with and make us care a little more. The more we’re out there, the more we tend to grow our desire to learn what responsible recreation looks like. It lights a spark in us to be one of the good ones, as we see for miles and connect a little deeper with the prickly pear and the mountain goats.

Once that open air has pulled on your heartstrings, tune in to resources that provide education. Leave No Trace has led outdoor recreation with guiding principles for many years. Learn the principles, live the principles, help teach the principles to others. Always be learning, never be done.

And lastly, think about what gear you may want to have in your quiver that supports sustainable and ethically savvy outdoor habits. Here is a little list of a few of my favorites:

Kula Cloth: Calling all ladies! If you haven’t yet discovered the Kula pee cloth, this is a game changer for those quick nature pees. Button it to the outside of your pack, tuck it in your vehicle, and keep it in your camp duffel. Stay clean and TP-free!

Noso Repair Patches: I never leave home without at least one of these stick-on gear patches. Great for tents or apparel, these repair patches help prolong the life of your gear and help you look cool while doing it. Choose your shape and style and don’t fret when a campfire ember gets the best of your puffy jacket.

Packit Gourmet Dehydrated Queso + ust spork: It wouldn’t be a camping trip for me without some sort of cheese. As a sucker for charcuterie and one who frequently declares cheese as my favorite food group, this easy to serve up queso can suffice as a meal that needs only a spoon and some chips. Save on dish water with this one! I know it’s a stewardship stretch, but I really love cheese.

ust Brila 580 Dual Power LED Headlamp: This headlamp can be recharged by USB so you don’t need to blow through batteries (however you can use them as a backup!). This headlamp is extremely bright, easy to use, and keeps batteries out of the landfill. That’s a win!

onX Maps: This is my favorite mapping solution to plan all of my outdoor pursuits. Depending on your priorities, you may gravitate towards either app: onX Offroad or onX Backcountry. If your adventures are primarily human-powered, the Backcountry app will provide you all the info you need. If you also off-road of any sort, I’d suggest the Offroad app, which leads the mapping industry with all data you need to cruise dirt and snow with confidence. Plan ahead by mapping your route, then know exactly where you are out there, even when you’re out of service. Safety is stewardship.

And lastly, think about what gear you may want to have in your quiver that supports sustainable and ethically savvy outdoor habits. Here is a little list of a few of my favorites:

Kula Cloth: Calling all ladies! If you haven’t yet discovered the Kula pee cloth, this is a game changer for those quick nature pees. Button it to the outside of your pack, tuck it in your vehicle, and keep it in your camp duffel. Stay clean and TP-free!

Noso Repair Patches: I never leave home without at least one of these stick-on gear patches. Great for tents or apparel, these repair patches help prolong the life of your gear and help you look cool while doing it. Choose your shape and style and don’t fret when a campfire ember gets the best of your puffy jacket.

Packit Gourmet Dehydrated Queso + ust spork: It wouldn’t be a camping trip for me without some sort of cheese. As a sucker for charcuterie and one who frequently declares cheese as my favorite food group, this easy to serve up queso can suffice as a meal that needs only a spoon and some chips. Save on dish water with this one! I know it’s a stewardship stretch, but I really love cheese.

ust Brila 580 Dual Power LED Headlamp: This headlamp can be recharged by USB so you don’t need to blow through batteries (however you can use them as a backup!). This headlamp is extremely bright, easy to use, and keeps batteries out of the landfill. That’s a win!

onX Maps: This is my favorite mapping solution to plan all of my outdoor pursuits. Depending on your priorities, you may gravitate towards either app: onX Offroad or onX Backcountry. If your adventures are primarily human-powered, the Backcountry app will provide you all the info you need. If you also off-road of any sort, I’d suggest the Offroad app, which leads the mapping industry with all data you need to cruise dirt and snow with confidence. Plan ahead by mapping your route, then know exactly where you are out there, even when you’re out of service. Safety is stewardship.

We are born stewards, let’s not forget. No matter what you do, don’t let the modern world take that from you. I think the honor is in making choices that prove we haven’t lost it, even in this world of concrete and rushing around in a hurry. We still got it. It’s in there. Bring it to the forefront of your actions and live it as your DNA knows how.

We are born stewards, let’s not forget. No matter what you do, don’t let the modern world take that from you. I think the honor is in making choices that prove we haven’t lost it, even in this world of concrete and rushing around in a hurry. We still got it. It’s in there. Bring it to the forefront of your actions and live it as your DNA knows how.