Of Raptors and Rapture - Barn Again

Dateline: Lyons, CO

The Colorado Tour

The harbingers of winter (read: Snow and Ice!) are making us keenly aware that our Colorado sojourn as Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers is drawing to a close, and that it's time to head for the barn once more. We reflected on this year's Colorado Tour as we hiked local landmark, Rabbit Mountain, a critical raptor nesting ground and cultural crossroads near Lyons, Colorado. We can't help but feel fortunate for the opportunity to experience the rich diversity of people and places we've encountered along the way. For the past six weeks, we've lived a nomadic life, sleeping in our tent by night and delivering Leave No Trace workshops and outreach by day. Throughout our 36 events and nearly four thousand-mile perambulation of the great state of Colorado, we've been enraptured by the state's wide variety of natural and cultural resource treasures, and equally impressed by the love and appreciation that Coloradans hold for this precious heritage.

Rabbit Mountain - enraptured beneath the raptors!

As we lead our trusty Colorado Tour Subaru into the barn for the winter, we're hoping that this is but another episode in our Leave No Trace travels, and that we will meet you yet down our nomadic trail, perhaps in another clime and another season, seeking to Leave No Trace as the story continues...

Special thanks go to Xcel Energy for supporting the 2011 Colorado Tour, and additionally to Coleman, Inc. and Subaru of America who continue to be dedicated champions for the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program and the Center for Outdoor Ethics. Of course, incalculable thanks go to our Traveling Team colleagues and the extraordinary folks at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for their dedication, support, and joie de vivre.

...along the Colorado Trail,

Peggy and Barrett

All good things must come to an end...

The time has come and sadly our season has come to a close.  We made it back to Boulder, CO, where it all began, safe and sound.  Our travels this season brought us through 24 states, covering over 15,000 miles.  We were able to reach over 4,000 people with Leave No Trace information and made more than 30,000 impressions.  As we sit in the office and reflect on the past three months, we are very pleased with the success of e-tour's second season.  The program continues to grow and develop and we are proud to be a part of such a rewarding and valuable organization.  We would especially like to thank Coleman Outdoor Products for their generosity and support.  Also, we would like to thank Marmot for outfitting us in style as we spread the Leave No Trace skills and ethics this summer.   

Enjoy all your outdoor adventures this year and remember to Leave No Trace.  Be sure to check out the website www.lnt.org to find out when e-tour 2009 will be in your town!  

Safe travels!

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

Spreading awareness through New Mexico

Over the weekend we hosted two awareness workshops in New Mexico.  Friday night we were at Sportsman Warehouse in Las Cruces, NM.  We had a good crowd for the workshop, which included locals, kids, and staff from Sportsmans Warehouse.  We played a variety of games and activities to introduce the audience to the principles of Leave No Trace.  Although the heat can be unbearable at times in southern New Mexico and make it difficult for locals to get outside, there are wonderful recreational areas for them to enjoy.  We discussed the importance of leaving no trace in these special places.  

After Las Cruces, we drove north to the capital, Santa Fe,  to the Coleman Factory Outlet.  We had only two people for the workshop, but they were avid Leave No Trace enthusiasts and very involved in the Boy Scouts.  We introduced them to the PEAK pack, a Leave No Trace curriculum developed in partnership with REI, so that they can use some of the activities with their troop.  We had great discussions about their times in the Boy Scouts and how important Leave No Trace has been in all the adventures they have taken.  Remember to Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure!

Safe Travels...

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

Family fun in Texas

Have you ever wanted to get your family out camping under the stars but are not sure how?  The Texas State Parks system has the answer for you...become a Texas Outdoor Family!  Over the next couple of months, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, will be hosting family campouts across the state.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get your family outdoors and learn how to camp, kayak, geocash, and much more.  The best part is there is no experience necessary.  To find out more information about the locations, visit Texas Outdoor Family 

Over this past weekend we were a part of the pilot program for Texas Outdoor Family.  There were over 50 participants with varied previous camping experience.  The park provided all the necessary gear, which was all Coleman Outdoor products, for every family.  They also led demonstrations on minimal impact set up and break down of camp, disposal of grey water and trash, and safe campfire techniques.  Participants were eager to ask us questions about ways they can leave no trace and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.  Happy camping to all the families that will take part in this fabulous event!

Safe travels...

Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

Dick's Outdoor Adventure Tour-Danvers, MA

Dick's Outdoor Adventure Tour in Danvers, MA marked the final days for the e-tour team in New England.  The weather was perfect for any outdoor adventure all weekend long.  We were thrilled to have Dan LeRose, the National Account Manager for Coleman Outdoor Products, join us at the event.  Dan provided a wealth of knowledge on all things Coleman and demonstrated the high-speed grilling capabilities of the Coleman Road Trip grill.  He is a master on the grill!  

The people of Danvers were excited to learn about Leave No Trace skills and ethics.  We had the opportunity to chat with a lot of folks, including boy and girl scouts and an Eagle Scout who was a master when it came to "Bear Canister Trivia".  The kids loved the Leave No Trace Scavenger hunt, as the adults enjoyed a fun game of "How Long Does It Last".  We had lengthy discussions on the importance of disposing of waste properly and recycling.  Do your part to keep our lands beautiful by learning and following the seven principles of Leave No Trace.  

Good Bye New England!  Safe Travels...

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008