Outdoor Ethics

We should carefully and responsibly manage our great outdoors so that current and future generations can enjoy it. Please follow Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles as well as take wildfire prevention measures and help protect wildlife when visiting the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

• Minimize your impact on the outdoors

  

  Following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace will help you leave the forest the way you found it:

  1. Plan ahead and prepare.
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
  3. Dispose of waste properly.
  4. Leave what you find.
  5. Minimize campfire impacts.
  6. Respect wildlife.
  7. Be considerate of other visitors.

  Learn More

• Recreate responsibly 

  

  Following the 5 Principles of Tread Lightly! will help you protect the areas you love visiting:

  1. Travel responsibly
  2. Respect the rights of others
  3. Educate yourself
  4. Avoid sensitive areas
  5. Do your part

  Learn More

• Campfire Safety

  

  Humans cause nearly nine out of ten wildfires. When you visit the forest, fire prevention is your responsibility. How to Prevent Wildfires:

  1. Start a campfire in an appropriate fire pit.
  2. Dispose of used matches and cigarette butts properly.
  3. Do not use any fireworks on National Forest land.

  Read More

Do your Part to Protect Wildlife

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are home to many organisms, some of which are endangered species. This means the species are at risk of extinction. Visitors should not only recreate responsibly in the forest for their own safety, but also to protect these important endangered species.  

It is important to property store your food; do not let animals have access to food or they will associate humans with food. While backpacking, use a bear resistant food storage container.

There are three Federally Endangered species of bat in Virginia: the Indiana bat, gray bat, and Virginia big-eared bat. These species are endangered due to human intrusion on their hibernacula, or winter shelters (such as caves).

To protect bats on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, do not approach or enter any cave or mine or abandoned tunnel.

Visitors disturb bat habitats. When disturbed during hibernation, bats waste important energy and fat they need to survive the winter!

For more information on how to protect bats, visit Virginia DWR’s Bat Management and Conservation page. 

If you’re interested in learning more about bats in Virginia, the VA Department of Wildlife Resources has a bat guide.