Leave No Trace embarks on 2025 with serious momentum from last year’s accomplishments and exciting plans for the months ahead.
Big 5 Accomplishments in 2024
United the Leave No Trace movement by hosting a Global Summit that drew 300+ attendees from 12 countries, including speakers and panel discussions highlighting our advances in research, education, and partnerships.
Provided more than one million free online lessons through the Learn.LNT.org education portal, bringing our education to more people than ever before so natural areas can benefit form improved visitor behaviors.
Advanced Leave No Trace research by implementing more than $150,000 for scientific investigation and directly awarding $20,000 for research into best practices for protecting natural environments.
Broke down some of the barriers to outdoor education by offering an advanced instructor class taught in American Sign Language, web pages with improved accessibility features, and strong partnerships with leaders in outdoor diversity.
Created and distributed new resources for visitors to Indigenous and Tribal lands by working with the American Indian and Native Alaskan Tourism Association and 25 North American tribes.
Top 2025 Initiatives
We are raising the bar for outdoor education by expanding our online courses with fresh topics like Daily Life, Urban Parks, and Responsible Fishing — plus new certifications and resources to keep our instructors at the top of their games.
Advancing the science of responsible recreation by funding new research on Communication Design in Rocky Mountain National Park led by the Univ. of Montana and Kansas State Univ. We’re also working with teams from the Univ. of New Hampshire and Kansas State Univ. in Grand Teton National Park to study soundscapes and forging a new partnership with the National Office of Atmospheric Administration and its National Marine Sanctuaries unit.
We’re hitting the ground running with our most effective stewardship programs, including Spotlights to connect with communities and protect natural areas and Urban Connections to reach young people.