Leave No Trace

Protecting Cardinal Valley

As Cardinal Valley opens to the public, more visitors can experience this restored landscape and thriving wildlife. Unfortunately, increased foot traffic sometimes brings litter and other human-made waste.

At Friends of Cardinal Valley, we take action every time we visit through group litter pickups, individual hikes, or a few hours of volunteering. We’ve also installed a monofilament recycling bin, which provides anglers a safe way to dispose of fishing line. These efforts help keep trails and wetlands cleaner and safer for wildlife.

Even small actions—picking up trash, using the recycling bin, or respecting plants and animals make a big difference in protecting the land, water, and wildlife that make Cardinal Valley special.

Practicing Leave No Trace

We can follow the seven "Leave No Trace" principles on every outing in nature, wherever we go.

These guidelines help us minimize our impact, protect wildlife and habitats, and model responsible stewardship.

Plan ahead and prepare – Schedule projects safely and efficiently.
Travel on durable surfaces – Stick to trails to protect fragile habitats.
Dispose of waste properly – Pack out trash and recyclables; use our monofilament recycling bin.
Leave what you find – Avoid disturbing plants, wildlife, and natural features.
Minimize campfire impacts – Frequent fires and firewood collection have impacted natural areas, and human-caused wildfires continue to threaten outdoor spaces.
Respect wildlife – Create safe spaces for birds, pollinators, and mammals.
Be considerate of other visitors – Keep trails and natural areas clean for everyone.

By following these principles, we ensure that every volunteer hour and visitor experience supports a thriving, resilient ecosystem.

Learn more about Leave No Trace: www.LNT.org

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