When hiking, fishing, camping, or hunting, your presence in nature leaves an impact on our natural resources. A group of concerned citizens in East Tennessee are working to minimize the impact on their greatest natural resource, Norris Lake.
Norris Lake is considered the cleanest lake in Tennessee Valley Authority’s system and stakeholders in the five counties that contain the lake want to make sure that it stays that way. They have been working for the last three years to conduct biannual clean ups and educate the Norris Lake residents and visitors about the importance of keeping the lake clean.
The stakeholders have adopted the Leave No Trace Principles and are working hard to educate the lake users on ways to implement the principles.
The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people of all ages how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, and is the most widely accepted outdoor ethics program used on public lands. Through relevant and targeted education, research and outreach, the Center ensures the long-term health of our natural world. In its simplest form, Leave No Trace is about making good decisions to protect the world around you, the world we all enjoy.
The Leave No Trace Center has identified seven principles:
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave what you Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For more information about the Leave No Trace principles, call 800-332-4100 or visit lnt.org. For more information about the Norris Lake Stakeholders, their cleanups and other current projects, call 800-524-3602 or visit lakenorris.org.