Outdoor Safety & Ethics

There are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to a national forest and, each year, more and more Americans load up their gear and head outdoors to experience the various seasons we have in the Pacific Southwest. Safety of visitors is the number one concern of the Forest Service!

The number two concern is that the many diverse people who recreate on national forest lands now do so in a responsible and ethical way. This way the following generations of recreation users will be able to enjoy National Forest System lands in the same or better condition than they exist now.

• Safety

  

  Certain safety procedures should be followed by all visitors. Failure to observe safety rules leads to accidents and sometimes death. The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, limitations of your body, plus a little common sense can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

  Safety in the woods

• Ethics

  

  As with outdoor safety, backcountry ethics or how you recreate and use the forest determine how it will be left for the next visitor. Whether you are a seasoned wilderness hiker or a first time visitor to a campground, please respect other users and use minimum impact techniques. It is up to all of us to keep these areas in good condition for the next visitor as well as the next generation.

  Responsibility in the Woods