Love This Place, Leave No Trace — Government of Ireland in partnership with Leave No Trace Ireland call for the public to care for our countryside, follow the Leave No Trace principles and protect and preserve our land

---

A new Government of Ireland campaign has been launched to tackle a growing littering issue throughout the country, particularly in some of our most scenic locations which have recently become littering hotspots. It is a joint initiative of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Sport Ireland, The Department of Community and Rural Development, the Office of Public Works, Coillte and Leave No Trace Ireland.

The national campaign aims to promote responsible outdoor recreation practices that will ensure a healthier and sustainable future for all.  It calls on everyone to take care of the outdoors to ensure it is preserved for future generations. The campaign follows a notable increase in littering throughout the country in the last number of weeks since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and areas affected include National Parks, Nature Reserves, Forest Parks, OPW National Heritage Sites, rivers, beaches, forests and special areas of conservation.

Wicklow Uplands Council warmly welcomes and fully supports this initiative and will gladly continue to play an active role in promoting the Leave No Trace Principles and the message of responsible countryside usage and recreational practices across the Wicklow and Dublin Uplands.

In addition to the notable increase in littering , the uplands have in recent months, witnessed unprecedented levels of wild camping and ‘forest parties’ which in some cases has left devastating scenes of discarded tents, camping equipment, food items, cans, glass and human waste.

The Council notes that the vast majority of visitors to the region act in a respectful and responsible manner, however, this campaign and its core message of ‘Love This Place, Leave No Trace’, is vital to ensure the uplands and its sensitive ecosystems, remain untouched by visitors keen to explore and enjoy its renowned beauty.

Maura Kiely, CEO of Leave No Trace Ireland, calls on the public to work together to address this issue, saying, “we need to take action now to halt the scourge of litter in our beautiful countryside.  Everyone needs to take responsibility. Littering is a threat to our fragile ecosystems and a moment of laziness can have long-term effects.  An aluminium can takes 400 to 500 years to break down, a plastic bag can take up to 20 years. A discarded plastic bottle, meanwhile, will last for a million years.”

The Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD, in welcoming the campaign, said: “We all love to exercise and be active in our scenic outdoor spaces so let’s ensure they remain accessible to all by Leaving No Trace and keeping our natural environment litter-free. As more of us ‘make a break for it in Ireland’ this year let’s respect the environment which is one of Ireland’s greatest assets.”

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: “Our National Parks and Nature Reserves encompass some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes in Ireland. Since the outset of the pandemic, these sites have seen unprecedented levels of domestic visitors as people reconnected with nature.

“Our parks offer a lifeline space to support our physical and mental health providing a safe place where people can seek fresh air, exercise, and practice mindfulness while still adhering to physical distancing protocols. Unfortunately, as increasing numbers of people seek the beauty and exhilaration of outdoor recreation, our collective mark on the environment and its natural processes also increases.

“Litter, disturbance to vegetation, water pollution, wildlife, livestock and other people are all indicators of the need to develop a national ethic that protects both natural and cultural heritage. I would encourage everyone to treat our natural heritage with the respect it deserves and to follow the principles of Leave No Trace.”

Disposable barbecues are identified as a major problem, not just as litter but also as a source of forest fires and wildfires, and are increasingly discarded carelessly in public spaces. Disposable barbecues are not permitted in any OPW National Heritage sites, Parks or Gardens or National Parks. Under Coillte’s bye laws it is illegal to light a fire in a forest and under the Wildlife Act offenders putting vegetation at risk could face a fine of up to €1,000.

Wesley Atkinson Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service shared that there needs to be greater awareness of environmental rules among those visiting the countryside.

Speaking about the use of disposable BBQs, he added “that they not only pose a huge fire threat which divert emergency services, but they endanger our wildlife, their habitat, destroying large swathes of special areas of conservation and place fire fighting personnel at great risk to extinguish them. They also contain charcoal which is usually unsustainably sourced and cannot be recycled or composted.

Rules on the practice of ‘wild’ camping in the country’s national parks vary and should be researched in advance of travel. Rules regarding the Wicklow Mountains National Park (including the Glendalough Valley), can be found by visiting: https://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/getting-here/accommodation/

Speaking about the increase of wild camping activities in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Mr Atkinson shared “that there has been a noticeable increase in visitors and litter this year and that campers are being found where we have never saw them before”. He added that anti-social behaviour has resulted in around 12 garda callouts this year.

Individuals, communities, organisations and the public can sign up to get guidelines on how to be responsible in the outdoors by visiting www.leavenotraceireland.org . 

All information on the campaign along with essential tips for any visit to the countryside, is available by visiting HERE

Leave No Trace Ireland is Ireland’s only outdoor ethics programme, which promotes the responsible use of the outdoors. Through education, research and partnerships, Leave No Trace Ireland enables and supports individuals, communities, organisations and companies in reducing the environmental impact of outdoor activities.

The Department of Rural and Community Development’s mission is “to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.” It acts as Secretariat for Comhairle na Tuaithe – the Countryside Council – which is made up of representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and State bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside. Comhairle na Tuaithe endorses Leave No Trace.