CONCORD – The Department of Travel and Tourism Development in New Hampshire (DTTD) has a partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics – a national organization promoting sustainable tourism practices – to launch a nationwide “Leave No Trace” campaign. This collaborative educational work encourages visitors to practice sustainable tourism through seven principles that provide a roadmap for activities to more consciously venture into the nature of the state.

This summer, 3.45 million visitors are expected to set foot in the Granite State, with many travelers drawn to the state’s natural attributes, including the White Mountains National Forest; a scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail; and state parks that offer thousands of miles of recreation from the Seacoast to the Great North Woods, including biking, hiking, fishing, quad biking and more.

“The state’s tourism industry has shown itself to be incredibly resilient over the past year and a half, and we expect nearly $ 1.8 billion in travel spending this summer,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner for the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “This is great news for our state, but we need to ensure that all travelers are educated about safety options and protect and respect the natural resources New Hampshire is famous for.”

In recent years, an increased interest in hiking and outdoor adventure has created overcrowding issues not only in New Hampshire but in outdoor recreation destinations across the country. In addition to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, DTTD hired federal, state, local, and regional partners to further improve the program.

The “Leave No Trace” program offers visitors and residents knowledge to safely enjoy and protect the spectacular natural landscapes and travel destinations of the state:

  • Plan ahead and prepare: There are many ways to experience New Hampshire outdoors; Pre-planning goes a long way towards ensuring a safer and more enjoyable adventure.
  • Dispose of the trash: Litter can ruin even the most beautiful areas of the open spaces and crystal clear waters of New Hampshire.
  • Beware of campfires: Preventing forest fires and curbing the spread of invasive insect species will keep campfire traditions alive for years to come.
  • Keep NH Wildlife Wild: Stay safe and respect the wildlife that is home to New Hampshire, including black bears, moose, and wild turkeys.
  • Stick to the trails and camp properly overnight: Sometimes the well-traveled path is the best way to avoid injury and reduce damage to plants, paths, and the landscape.
  • Leave it as you find it: To preserve the state’s millions of acres of pristine wilderness and incredible historical landmarks, do not pick or take any items with you.
  • Share nature: Everyone deserves to have a great time outside and not be bothered by others.

Sarah Stewart, New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Commissioner, added, “We recognize the need to strike a balance between responsible and sustainable tourism and we believe that this is a shared responsibility. Leave No Trace offers all of us the steps we can take to ensure that what we love about New Hampshire is available to future generations. ”

“We are fortunate to be the educational partner of Visit New Hampshire and all visitors and residents who enjoy the Granite State outdoor recreation,” said Andrew Leary, National Outreach Manager, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. “Preventable effects occur when we relax outdoors, but with your help anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors can be the solution to protecting New Hampshire’s wonderful outdoor experiences.”

To learn more about the Leave No Trace program, visit https://www.visitnh.gov/leavenotrace.

For summer travel inspiration or to plan a trip to New Hampshire, visit www.visitnh.gov.