Leave No Trace Spotlights bring together land managers, local organizations, and the public to protect the places we love through community-building, hands-on stewardship, and educational outreach.
Spotlights turn awareness into action, creating lasting connections and collective impact that extend well beyond a single gathering. Selected sites for this FREE program range from national parks and forests, to state or municipal parks, to local nonprofits and organizations.
Spotlights also offer a pathway toward Leave No Trace Gold Standard Designation through education and programming that support further Leave No Trace implementation.
2026 Spotlights will be selected and announced on a rolling basis starting in late 2025 and early 2026.
Spotlights take place across the country at every type of natural area. Each location receives three days of Leave No Trace education and fun for the whole community!
So mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to roll up your sleeves for some conservation work. We will see you out there!
The Wheat Ridge Spotlight directly educated 213 members of the community with 48 volunteers planting wildflowers, 72 youth campers learning Leave No Trace, 45 community members participating in a trivia night, and 54 people reached in other outreach programs.
The Red Rock Canyon Spotlight had 33 volunteers work to repair fences and rehabilitate social trails. 24 staff and partners received Leave No Trace training. The coverage of the program by NPR reached over 4,000 community members. Red Rock Canyon NCA is now working toward Gold Standard Site designation.
Four local organizations came together in a joint effort for the Spotlight with 19 stakeholders trained in Leave No Trace, 45 community members participating in Leave No Trace Trivia Night, and 55 volunteers removing litter and handing out trash bags to boaters.
Leave No Trace Spotlights build community through connecting land managers, partners, volunteers, and the public around a shared commitment to protecting the places we love.
Spotlights are designed to energize local Leave No Trace efforts by rallying the community, connecting partners, and inspiring continued action. This free program provides opportunities for Leave No Trace training, community outreach, and volunteer stewardship. Selected areas receive up to 3 days of Leave No Trace on-the-ground programs for staff, partners, and the local community.
Spotlights also offer a pathway toward Leave No Trace Gold Standard Designation through education, resources, and programming that inspire continued Leave No Trace implementation.
Before nominating a Spotlight, please read the Host Guide to understand the responsibilities, planning timeline, and commitment required of the host site for a successful Spotlight activation. To nominate a site, you will also need to identify a co-host who will share these responsibilities. Spotlight nominations can come from:
The focus of the Spotlight is to build momentum for community led conservation through multiple programs including 1 or 2 from each of the following categories:
Yes! Although there is no fee to participate in the Spotlight program, it is important for the host organization/agency to understand the roles, responsibilities, and the time commitment required for a successful Spotlight activation.
Spotlight hosts work closely with Leave No Trace to plan and promote the Spotlight. Hosts will need to attend multiple virtual planning calls with Leave No Trace, select program types, secure venues and permissions for programs, promote programs through multiple outlets and invite local audiences, act as the onsite contact during programs, and handle onsite logistics for volunteer project (incl tools, waivers, instruction, etc).
Yes. While one person can take the lead on planning the Spotlight, a co-host is required to ensure there is a backup contact should something change during the planning process. Your co-host can be a member of the same orgnization, a separate organization, or an active volunteer.
Nominations are reviewed by a panel and selections are based on a number of criteria including but not limited to:
Successful Spotlights unite community groups and members to rally around protecting our outdoor spaces. The most impactful events engage existing partners and volunteers while also reaching new groups and communities.
Strong participation requires effective promotion. Hosts play a key role in ensuring each program is widely publicized and well-attended. Using multiple channels, including email, newsletters, social media, website calendars, local media, and community networks, is essential
While Leave No Trace provides support and promotional resources, the most successful Spotlights are those where the local host takes an active and lead role in spreading the word, building excitement, and inspiring community involvement.
Leave No Trace staff will notify all sites of their acceptance status on a rolling basis starting in late 2025 and early 2026. Depending on the number of nominations, a second nomination period may be opened in the future for additional Spotlight sites.
Spotlights from this nomination period will take place in 2026. starting in January and going until November. Exact dates will be determined after sites are selected and will depend on the host preferences compared to the availability of the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team and other factors. We suggest holding a 3 day Spotlight activation from Thursday-Saturday to allow both weekday and weekend events.
No, Spotlights are their own unique program. Hot Spots have a more internal focus with multiple stakeholder meetings, intensive information gathering, and a detailed analysis with recommendations on future program implementation and adjustments. Spotlights are more focused on the community with opportunities for outward facing programs to build momentum and inspire local action and involvement. You can find out more about the Hot Spot program here.
At Leave No Trace, we believe communities are the solution to conservation issues. We identified a need to create more opportunities for communities and individuals to be that solution. We want to connect more Leave No Trace champions to local conservation efforts, and provide more communities with support as they tackle challenges facing their outdoor areas. Spotlights also offer a pathway toward Leave No Trace Gold Standard Designation through education, resources, and programming that inspire continued Leave No Trace implementation.
