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C onservation S kills. As more and more Australians are heading into the outdoors for recreation, leisure and sport, we are running the risk of ‘loving our natural areas to death’. To avoid this and to reduce the impact users have on the environment,
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Conservation Skills As more and more Australians are heading into the outdoors for recreation, leisure and sport, we are running the risk of ‘loving our natural areas to death’. To avoid this and to reduce the impact users have on the environment, several educational programs and camping practices and procedures have been introduced. ‘Leave no trace’ camping and ‘minimal impact’ practices are two of the most well known of these. -Leave no trace’ camping Participation in outdoor recreational activities must be accompanied by a respect for the natural environment and a willingness to interact with nature with minimal impact. Individuals who participate in activities in the natural environment have a responsibility to ensure that they don't damage, destroy or change it. Many of our native plant and animal species are facing threat and extinction from diminishing habitats and we must be vigilant in minimising disturbance. For example, when setting up a camp site, a clear area should be chosen rather than clearing vegetation. When rock climbing, vegetation or animal and bird nests should not be destroyed to make it easier to complete the climb. Rubbish should be removed after camping — the only things that should remain behind are footprints!
-Minimal impact practices Extended bushwalks offer opportunities to explore remote wilderness locations with your ‘house on your back’. In order to enjoy the wilderness experience and ensure the enjoyment of others who use the area after you, it is vital that attention is paid to conservation issues to minimise the impact of your party on the area. Particular attention needs to be paid to camp fire control, waste disposal and disturbances to vegetation and flora. There are many different bushwalking groups that cater for all levels of abilities and interests, and operate according to the Confederation of Bushwalkers Code of Ethics. The code includes these important considerations: •Bushwalking groups should be kept to a small ideal number of about 4–6 people. •Bushwalkers should remain on the worn track for their own safety and for the sake of the environment, as this does not widen the already created path. •Wherever possible, bushwalkers should look to walk on rocks and hard ground. Avoid easily damaged places such as areas with moss, swamps and fragile rock formations. •Bushwalkers should never feed, disturb, or harass wildlife. It may be harmful to their health and may alter their natural behaviour. Observing wildlife from a distance would be the safest choice for all involved.
-Ethical issues Simply being in the wilderness has an effect on the environment of that natural setting. Bushwalking might mean crushing small saplings; mountain biking around muddy patches could widen the track; rock climbing means you could leave chalk on a rock face and four-wheel driving could leave deep wheel ruts in a wet field. These are all examples of harming the environment. From one person’s point of view, they may be able to justify their behaviour based on a particular situation; from another person’s point of view, this type of behaviour may be wrong in any situation. These ethical issues are just a few examples of the many in outdoor recreation. For example, how can we justify the costs of the development of alpine roads, electrical infrastructure, chair-lift installation, lift passes, the impact on a fragile environment and the initial outlay of personal clothing and equipment for the human pleasure of simply skiing down a snow-covered slope? When people’s values and beliefs are compared, debate often arises. These valuable discussions are interesting, as they enable people to hear a variety of points of view and to develop and justify their own well thought-out ethical stance on the topic.
