This event is postponed and will not be held at the Topsham Public Library on 5/14. Please stay tuned to our events page for information on the rescheduled date and time for this event. Thank you!

Have you taken a hike?  Been on a picnic?  Gone camping with your family?  Getting outside renews our spirits, connects us with nature’s amazing beauty, and the many natural wonders of our world.  Leave No Trace (LNT), an international nonprofit helps people enjoy the outdoors responsibly though education. LNT teaches us how to make ethical choices to minimize our impact and not harm the natural beauty of the outdoors.

Join us on Saturday, May 14th at 10am outdoors at the Topsham Public Library to discover how you can be a conscious adventurer when exploring nature alone or with your family or friends. This Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop covering the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, will provide information and hands-on learning so that you to make ethical decisions to minimize your impact when recreating outdoors in Maine.  

We will have interactive games and displays for you to explore: Learn how long it takes for discarded trash to decompose in the environment.  Find all the mistakes made that will leave a high-impact campsite behind?  See how your behavior in the outdoors can steal the “WOW” of a special moment that others will not be able to experience, such as a spectacular view, wildlife sightings, artifacts of Indigenous people, and more.

This workshop is presented by Tom O’Brien (he/him). Tom is the Maine Leave No Trace State Advocate responsible for coordinating Leave No Trace activities state-wide.  He has been a Leave No Trace Master Educator for over 8 years and is currently serving as the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Maine Chapter Leadership Development Committee Chair.  Tom is a retired Ph.D. Analytical Chemist with a career in fluid purification and water quality expertise. He is also a former Boy Scout Leader with over 22 years experience in the outdoors and has taught many Leave No Trace and leadership training courses to both youth and adults (including to our own CREA Summer Camp).  He is passionate about teaching youth and adults to make ethical choices to minimize their impact in the outdoors.  

This program is perfect for adults, youth and families. All youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This program is provided at no cost thanks to the generous donations of our Members. Registration is required to attend. Rain date details will be provided in a confirmation email to participants.