Visit Central Oregon Partner Leave No Trace Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to support Visit Central Oregon industry partners in promoting responsible recreation and stewardship across Central Oregon. By incorporating Leave No Trace (LNT) principles into marketing, communications, and visitor engagement, partners can help protect natural and cultural resources while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.
The guidance below is recommended best practice for representing Central Oregon responsibly across websites, social media, campaigns, and on-the-ground visitor touch points.
Seven Principles High-Level Overview
1. Know before you go
Preparation helps visitors recreate safely and responsibly by reducing unexpected impacts related to weather, access, crowding, and limited facilities.
2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right
Staying on designated trails and using durable surfaces protects fragile landscapes, prevents erosion, and preserves habitat.
3. Pack it out
All trash, food scraps, and waste must be packed out to protect wildlife, water quality, and the visitor experience.
4. Leave it as you found it
Natural and cultural features should remain undisturbed so that ecosystems and shared heritage are preserved for future visitors.
5. Be fire informed
Responsible fire use—and avoiding fires when restricted—reduces wildfire risk and protects communities and public lands.
6. Keep wildlife wild
Giving wildlife space and securing food helps prevent harmful behavior changes and keeps both people and animals safe.
7. Respect Others
Courtesy, awareness, and shared-use etiquette ensure Central Oregon’s outdoor spaces remain welcoming for everyone.
Messaging Guide for Partners
When incorporating Leave No Trace into visitor-facing communications, aim for messaging that is:
- Clear and specific – Highlight one relevant behavior rather than listing multiple rules.
- Place-based – Tie guidance directly to the landscape, activity, or season being promoted.
- Why-driven – Briefly explain how the behavior protects natural resources, safety, or visitor experience.
- Positive and welcoming – Encourage stewardship without sounding punitive or restrictive.
Recommended messaging approach:
- Integrate Leave No Trace naturally into existing storytelling and trip inspiration.
- Emphasize shared responsibility between visitors, residents, and partners.
- Use action-oriented language (e.g., “help protect,” “do your part,” “plan ahead”).
Avoid:
- Images or language that unintentionally model poor behavior.
- Overly technical language or long lists of rules.
- Messaging that implies exclusivity or discourages visitation entirely.
Social Media Toolkit
To support consistent stewardship messaging, partners are also encouraged to reference Leave No Trace’s Social Media Guidelines when creating and sharing outdoor content.
Content Selection
- Choose one Leave No Trace principle that directly applies to the location or activity shown.
- Ensure photos and videos visually demonstrate responsible behavior (e.g., staying on trail, leashed pets, life jackets).
- Avoid sharing content from closed, restricted, or environmentally sensitive areas.
Caption Writing
- Explain the why behind the behavior in one clear sentence.
- Include a light call to action (e.g., “Plan ahead,” “Help keep this trail healthy,” “Pack it out”).
- Ask a simple question to encourage participation (e.g., “How do you plan ahead for this hike?”).
- Keep captions concise and accessible to users of all experience levels.
Continued Engagement & Education
- Tag @LeaveNoTraceOrg, @traveloregon, and @visitcentraloregon in LNT content for support amplification.
- Share or reshare Leave No Trace educational content when relevant.
- Weave Leave No Trace guidance into your normal brand voice in other content pieces, like blogs or newsletters, rather than restating principles verbatim.
Final Check Before Posting
Remember, shaming is not the answer! Shaming and online bullying are not endorsed by Leave No Trace or its partners, and are not an effective way to influence long-term behavior. Ask yourself:
- Does this post model the behavior we want visitors to follow?
- Is the guidance relevant, accurate, and seasonally appropriate?
- Would a first-time visitor understand what action is being encouraged?
Social Media Post Examples:
Every Choice Matters
Industry partners play an important role in shaping how visitors experience Central Oregon. Thoughtful messaging and responsible imagery help protect landscapes, reduce impacts, and ensure outdoor recreation remains sustainable and welcoming.
Thank you for supporting stewardship and helping care for this incredible place.