# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CXU8_t5Dlr4
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21025628-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/dd3f8f954a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-12-11T03:25:20.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

No matter the season, as we spend time outdoors, in the natural world and in wilderness, it’s important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have. Today’s lesson: Leave What You Find.

📌 Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Take a picture or sketch the pine cone instead of picking it up and taking it with you. Experienced campers may enjoy an occasional edible plant, but be careful not to deplete vegetation or disturb rare plants. You should also be careful identifying which plants are actually edible before things get weird. Again.

📌 Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. While we’re at it, let’s leave animals where they be. Your minivan may be nice and toasty, but your music choices, and refusal to stop for potty breaks, is a deal breaker for many “wild” passengers.

📌 Leave areas as you found them. Don’t dig trenches for tents or construct lean-tos, tables, chairs, bookcases, coffee tables, forts, treehouses. (Really? Shiplap?) But yeah, avoid making unnecessary improvements. If you clear an area of surface rocks, twigs or pine cones, replace these items before leaving. No. We don’t want your drawing of a pine cone. Oh, that was bison? 

Let’s protect stuff and enjoy our natural and cultural sites together!

Image: Hikers on the Rescue Creek Trail with views of a snow-covers Electric Peak @Yellowstonenps.

#LeaveNoTrace #planlikeaparkranger #nationalparkservice #yellowstone #winteriscoming #winterwonderland #lesson

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 31,430
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 52

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

planlikeaparkranger, yellowstone, leavenotrace, winterwonderland, winteriscoming, nationalparkservice, lesson

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