Leave No Trace is excited to announce the launch of our newest online educational offering: Leave No Trace for Urban Connections. This free virtual course, part of the Leave No Trace Online Learning Lab, is tailored for communities and partners of the Forest Service Eastern Region’s Urban Connections Program, but it’s also a valuable resource for anyone passionate about fostering responsible outdoor practices in city environments. Whether you’re a city resident, educator, or volunteer, this course will empower you to integrate Leave No Trace principles into your time spent in city green spaces.
The Urban Connections Program was established in 2001 within the Eastern Region of the USDA Forest Service to engage those living in urban areas and city centers with their public lands. While public lands belong to all of us, the majority of the Region’s population live in urban areas and city centers. The program works brings nature-based experience to people in Detroit, Boston, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Newark, St. Louis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Leave No Trace has been a partner since 2021, providing on-the-ground educational opportunities in the program areas.
City green spaces such as parks, trails, riverwalks, and community gardens are critical to our health and well-being. As more people turn to these spaces for recreation and respite, the need for responsible use becomes more important than ever. The Leave No Trace for Urban Connections course provides practical guidance on how to minimize impact in high-use areas while promoting stewardship of these shared spaces.
Participants will explore how to reduce litter, protect local wildlife, and engage their communities in sustainable practices—all within the unique context of city centers and green spaces. We invite you to take the course and join a growing movement of people working to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and tools to protect the places they love.