Burning Man Earth Guardians

   
  Volunteer - Education and Training  
 

Become a Certified Leave No Trace Trainer

The Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer Course consists of a 2-day course held in one of the Wilderness Areas in the Black Rock Desert/High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. There is no charge for this training - it is sponsored by Burning Man. On completion of this class you will receive a certificate as a LNT trainer. Your mission, upon completion, will be to teach Leave No Trace to other participants at the event or in your community.

1. AGENDA

a.  In addition to what-to-bring list, general information, etc., the participant will receive an assignment for a Leave No Trace principle and will get some information on the principle. You will be expected to present your topic to the other class members sometime during the two days.

b. We will meet on Saturday morning (directions coming later). We will make introductions around and view a short LNT video before driving to the trailhead. We will go on a 2-day backpack over an approximate 1-3 mile loop route, starting and ending at our vehicles.

2. TOPIC PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION

a. Along the hike route, each of you will present a class or activity on part or all of a Leave No Trace Principle (7 Principles). Group activities or hands-on exercises are urged. Your presentation will be oriented to both backpacking and life in Black Rock City.

b. After each presentation, the other students and trainers will evaluate and discuss the presentation.  We will then get up and move on. Creativity is a byword here, and your class will demonstrate some very creative methods and techniques that we can all use.   Each person is assigned a topic. The packets that you were mailed will have some study materials. However, you should consider researching other sources of information or using your own experiences to develop material for your presentation.

c. Other references to help you will be activities found in such programs as Project Wild or Project Learning Tree. U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State game and fish and State parks people are also good sources.

d. Here are some web sites that have helpful information:

http://www.lnt.org/   

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/eek  (Click on Teachers pages)

http://earthguardians.burningman.com/lnt.html

http://www.treadlightly.org/

http://www.burningman.com/themecamps_installations/themecamps/resource_guide.html 
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/protecting_the_environment.html

http://www.plt.org/ 

e. In addition to your class preparation materials, everyone must thoroughly read the booklet Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics: Desert and Canyon Country, which will be in your packet. (under Wilderness LNT)

f. Be prepared to give your presentation at any time. There's two ways we'll approach who gives what when. We will be walking along and see something that illustrates a principle and one of the trainers will say, "Okay, here's an example of xxx principle, so-and-so how about giving us some training on this subject. Or, we'll have presentations scheduled for specific times during the weekend.

g. Your presentation is based on part or all of a Leave No Trace Principle. Assignments will be sent with your study packet and may be sufficient for your presentation. However, don't stop there. Decide how you want to give the class - it may be a demonstration (trainers may carry some things some of you can use), a group activity or a lecture to illustrate the principle. Be creative - but be aware - props either come from your pack or nature or are your students themselves. Once you give your class, from that point onward, you join the trainers to monitor the rest of the class while walking or in camp to see how we are following the principles. At the end of each class we'll take a few moments to discuss how things are going. Don't forget to evaluate your students (which includes the trainers) on what we've learned. 'Cause what we learn is a reflection of what you teach.
 
h. If you have never given a class before, practice your presentation to your partner and/or kids or a small group of friends. When you come before us, we're friends, too. We're also probably dumb as rocks, and you have information that we can't live without!!!
 
3. EQUIPMENT AND PREPARATION

a. You must Come Prepared for a 2-day Backpack Trip.

b. The cost involved in the class is bringing your own transportation, gear, and food to Gerlach and our meeting place.  Transportation to and from the trailhead will be via carpools. (4-wheel drive vehicles will be needed!)

c. For the trip, your pack should have the basics:  sleeping bag or poncho liners, tent (you might check the class list and anyone you know, you might make buddy arrangements to share tents and divide weight), sleeping pad, backpack stove (again, two or four can share one), food and water, first aid kits (can share). If you haven't shouldered a backpack for a while, it is recommended that you put one together and carry it around the house or neighborhood to figure out if you want to carry everything you've pulled out.

d. Bring at least one gallon of water (8 pounds). We will have additional water on hand. This is only an overnight/2-day backpack so do not overload yourself.

e. Broad brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, long sleeve T-shirts, light-weight pants are items that protect skin and hold in body moisture. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring insect repellent.
 
4. AFTER COURSE COMPLETION

After training, your task will be to go to Burning Man communities (e.g. a theme camp or a volunteer group) to help them understand and apply Leave No Trace principals and practices. You could accomplish this by setting up meetings to talk about LNT or by developing LNT guidance materials (e.g. Tips or posters) to educate these residents of Black Rock city about Leave No Trace. You may want to develop an art project that would inspire folks to better appreciate the Black Rock Desert or you may just want to work with your own fellow campers to ensure that you will Leave No Trace at Burning Man. You could also check with your local public agencies (e.g. Forest Service or BLM) and let them know you are a trained LNT trainer and want to help on National Public Lands Day, or National Trails Day, June 6, or Earth Day. You could also talk to local schools to find if they'd like your help teaching the LNT Principals to an outdoor environmental class.

Summary of Training Events

May 26-27 - (Sat and Sun) - Black Rock Rendezvous - Hosted by the Friends of Black Rock / High Rock

* Learn about : Leave No Trace /Road Restoration / Weed Identification / Desert Safety / Geology
* Send email for questions about this trip

June 9 & 10 - (Sat and Sun)
LNT BACKPACKING TRIP near Black Rock Desert <=== see pictures from the 2002 , 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 trips.

* "Teach the Teachers" Training Session
* Send email for questions about this trip

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BACK PACKING PREPARATIONS
 
1. GEAR
How do I pack light? - Here's a website of interest:
http://www.backpacking.net/home.html

Full equipment list below put together by Freddy
Osterhagen. Also, take a look at these two similar
checklist webpages from Backpacker Magazine:

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/checklist/hotdesert/
http://www.backpacker.com/gear/checklist/threeseason/

Remember, when going on an overnight 1.5-day backpack take care not to overload yourself. Everyone should bring a minimum of 1 gallon of water - a lot of bottled water comes in 1-quart containers that will aid you in distributing the weight. I know some people will bring more than a gallon. Remember, 1 gallon equals about 8 pounds, although you do use it up. Aboard our vehicles we'll be carrying an additional 5-10 gallons tap water.

Water filters - don't bring, we don't expect to find a spring.

2. Equipment List

Hiking boots (cowboy boots are not ok)
Socks, heavy and long enough to blouse pants legs
Long sleeved,light colored shirt(white/tan)
Long pants, light colored
Handkerchief, large
Shade providing hat for hiking
Coat for chilly/cold evening
Water (1 gallon for drinking, more for dishes/body)
Food
Cooking and eating utensils
Plastic (Zip-lock)  bag(s) for carrying/segregating trash
Stove (may be shared - not needed if willing to eat cold or eat MRE's)
Tent (may be shared)
Sleeping bag
Rain Poncho
Ground cloth (may use poncho)
Sanitary trowel (light plastic at REI for $1.25)
Toilet paper and zip lock bag
Wet wipes (for use on hands after use of TP)
Toilet articles
Small first aid kit(mostly band aids for blisters/cuts)
Insect repellant (deet, may be shared)
Tick repellant (optional, Permethrin obtainable at REI
a nonchemical tick repellant is grey duct tape. You wrap the tape around the bottom of your pants to trap pesky ticks on their way up (they're looking for moisture)
LNT principle presentation materials (optional)