Adventure is out there: sustainability in outdoor recreation

The spring and summer seasons bring wonderful weather that draws us to the outdoors. In Minnesota, people flock to the lakes and hiking trails for outdoor recreation. Our outof-state and international students may enjoy spending time around prairies, rivers, mountains, swamps and beaches. Time outdoors is spent with friends, family or the individual. It can bring a sense of personal serenity and cultivate a connection to the land you spend time on. Photos are taken and footprints are left on the trails. No matter your adventure of choice, it is important to be aware of your impact on the environment. Something to be mindful of when on an adventure is to eliminate littering. Littering is the practice of leaving waste products that are discarded incorrectly. This could be a plastic bag not being placed in a waste receptacle or a cigarette butt flicked onto the ground. We see litter in our own community in St. Joseph, especially after the weekend. Litter in the outdoor recreation sector is combated by the popular ethical code of “Leave No Trace.” The principles were established by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management in the 1980s. There are seven principles to Leave No Trace: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors. These principles draw on recreation ecology as well as Indigenous wisdom and tradition. Indigenous people have lived sustainably with land for generations, setting powerful examples of environmental consciousness and conservation. In these communities, nature is placed at the center of public life. The Seven Grandfather Teachings, deeply rooted in Native American culture, highlight the balance one must have with all living things. Of these teachings, respect and humility (Mnaadendimowin and Dbaadendiziwin) specifically emphasize the need for people to honor creation by treating all humans, plants and animals with utmost appreciation. Perhaps we could learn from these longstanding values, carrying the same mindfulness with us in our outdoor endeavors. Maintaining our environment is an integral part of the Benedictine values. To practice stewardship is to appreciate and care lovingly for all the goods of the world. We must respect land as sacred and care for our environment with respect. Almost 80% of Minnesota’s lakes are classified as pristine. Let’s keep them that way. The Boundary Waters, Lake Superior and Isle Royale National Park are pristine areas close to CSB+SJU that are available for you to explore and protect. On campus in the Abbey Arboretum, we have access to over 2,500 acres of lakes, prairie, savanna and forest. In the last few days of the school year, take a study break to hike the chapel trail at SJU or walk in the sister’s woods at CSB with friends. After the academic school year, find an outdoor area by your home or summer housing to explore if you can. This spring and summer, be aware of what you bring for your outdoor adventures. Having access to natural spaces is not always accessible to everyone, so it is important to recognize this privilege and treat the land with respect. Properly dispose of all trash and leave natural items where you found them. There are creative solutions to waste like eating apple cores and bringing water in reusable containers. When planning an outdoor adventure, consider the impact you will have on the land and consider the Leave No Trace principles. When you see trash that is not yours, use your judgement and potentially pick it up and dispose of it properly. Enjoy the outdoors with your loved ones but also consider loving the land. Appreciate the seemingly small details like insects leaping across the path and birds singing. Take a moment to be conscious of your surroundings. While nature might leave a bond or spiritual feeling with you, make sure that you leave the land better than you found it.