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Protect the Places We Love.

With public lands under strain during the government shutdown, your gift fuels the education that keeps them safe.

Park budgets have been slashed, and public lands are facing one of the most challenging seasons in years.

With federal park staff and park services restricted — or in some cases totally absent — during the government shutdown, the pressure on natural spaces has never been greater.

A new national study by Penn State confirms what many of us already feel:

  • 74% of Americans say reduced federal park staffing is “totally unacceptable.”
  • More than half have changed their recreation plans due to closed or limited facilities.

Leave No Trace is stepping up where staff are stretched thin — providing science-based education and outreach to help visitors care for the outdoors during this critical time.

Your donation today strengthens that response.

Your contribution supports our field educators and volunteers working in your community and ensures that Leave No Trace can deliver critical education to millions who get outside.

Your gift supports programs that deliver: A recent Leave No Trace-led initiative at Arizona’s Oak Creek Canyon resulted in a  50% reduction in E. coli levels. We’ll reward your donation, too:

  • $5 – Delivers critical education our public lands with Leave No Trace learning tools. (Includes a pack of 5 vibrant Leave No Trace stickers to show your commitment.)
  • $50 – Brings Leave No Trace lessons to 1K people through digital resources, shaping the next generation of responsible outdoor recreationists. (Includes a 1-year AllTrails+ subscription for your own adventures.)
  • $100 – Trains a new Leave No Trace educator to mentor youth groups, park stewards, and outdoor leaders—multiplying your impact far beyond a single visit. (Plus, 25 lucky donors will receive a free pair of KEEN shoes for outdoor adventures.)

What Happens When Park Budgets Get Slashed?

We have seen the effects of severe budget cuts and park closures — common impacts include:

Trash removal gets disrupted, contributing to widespread litter and degraded facilities

Bathroom closures lead to issues with human waste and unsanitary conditions

Negative visitor behavior increases rapidly, including vandalism and high-impact, unauthorized use in parks

Why it Matters

When people practice Leave No Trace, they become part of the solution.

Your support keeps forests healthy, protects parks, and ensures everyone feels welcome in nature — especially when the usual stewards can’t be there.

Together, we can keep our public lands open, clean, and cared for.

”Wilderness management is 80-90 percent education and information, and 10 percent regulation.”

— Max Peterson, former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service

Leave No Trace has important education and restoration programs planned in the months ahead for these national parks:

• Arches National Park, Utah
• Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
• Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey
• Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
• Joshua Tree National Park, California
• Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

This is a crucial time to support the research and programs that help protect these and other parks at a time when their budgets have been slashed and their staffing has been reduced.

Leave No Trace is ready to offer critical support. Please help us deliver resources when they are needed the most.

Your gift powers education — the most effective and least costly way to protect public lands for future generations.