Several years ago, I had the chance to hike Isle Royale, that rugged wilderness park in Lake Superior, where moose outnumber people and wolves howl in the distance. Before our group set out, our trail leader explained the seven principles of “Leave No Trace,” including “Pack it in, pack it out” and “Leave what you find.”
It seemed simple enough.
Not long after, one woman in our hiking party announced that she was leaving her sweatshirt on a rock beside the trail.
“My backpack is too heavy,” she explained. “And it’s a very expensive sweatshirt. Someone will be happy to get it.”
Our guide patiently responded. “Remember? We try to leave everything exactly as we find it.”
A short while later, after a second reminder about Leave No Trace, another hiker came striding down the path carrying what appeared to be a fox’s ribcage and skull. “Look what I found!” he said proudly, presenting it to our leader.
She gave a small shake of her head, a reminder that even tempting discoveries are meant to stay put.
Here at home, fortunately, the members of Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River understand the concept exactly as intended. Their mission is to preserve and protect the Wisconsin River. In honor of Earth Day, I spoke with one of the founding members, Easton Dreher, who has spent 22 years appreciating and caring for the river that made Wisconsin Dells famous.
Easton believes the principles of stewardship should begin early. “Leave No Trace should be taught in schools from a young age,” he told me. As owner of Vertical Illusions, he helps people enjoy the river by renting kayaks, but he also wants young people to understand that loving nature comes with responsibility.
He proudly described a youth group that recently collected 30 bags of litter.
Thirty bags.
Easton added, with dry humor, that cleanup work has one unexpected perk: “You get to see areas you normally aren’t allowed to explore.”
As development increases around the Dells, Easton says thoughtful regulations are essential to protect the delicate balance of the river ecosystem, but preserving the river also depends on willing hands. The Stewards welcome volunteers for all kinds of roles—leading hikes, helping with kayak trips, shuttling participants, even making lunches. If you’d like to get involved, Amanda McGowan, the group’s president, would be glad to hear from you at stewardsofthedells@gmail.com.
Another Earth Day opportunity is Project CLEAN, a local effort my husband and I have joined for several years. We’ve adopted a stretch of Vine Street near Spring Hill School, and I confess we have become territorial about it. Pity the motorist we catch tossing litter onto “our” stretch of road.
Project CLEAN invites volunteers to adopt an area (such as a stretch of ditches near their home) by May 2. Simply choose a pleasant day, grab a garbage bag, and take a walk. Amanda McGowan (608-963-8094) or Dave Clemens (608-408-8941) will happily supply garbage bags and help with collection.
Volunteers are rewarded with a free lunch and T-shirt on May 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Ralph Hines Park.
Project CLEAN volunteers may not come home carrying fox bones or abandoned sweatshirts—although based on some of the things I’ve found, I wouldn’t rule it out—but they do return with something better: the satisfying knowledge that they’ve made the world a little brighter.