It’s International Trails Day, which falls on the first Saturday in June each year.

When our Artcraft staff and members aren’t hard at work bringing art to the community, you can probably find us outside. The Gulf Islands are home to some beautiful provincial and national parks, and trails are an essential part of our island culture.

Here are some handy do’s and don’ts for sharing public trails.

• Be prepared. Study the map of where you’re headed before you set out. Tell someone where you’re going, and let them know when you’re back. Make sure to have water, protein snacks and appropriate clothing just in case something does go awry. 
• Pack it in, pack it out. There won’t be many garbage bins along the trail, but please don’t substitute the wilderness you’re there to enjoy. Bring home everything you bring in, including your used tissues, fruit peels and cores and your dog poop bags.
• ‘Go’ before you go. Use official washrooms and outhouses when available. On longer treks when there is no official option, it’s recommended to move 60 metres (200 feet) off the trail in a private area that doesn’t have sensitive habitat. Please take home your used toilet paper.
• Stay on the trail the rest of the time. Aside from helping you avoid getting lost by sticking to the official route, the trail is where human impact should be concentrated. The area’s surrounding ecosystem could be sensitive to disturbance, whether that’s nesting birds or delicate plants and flowers.
• Keep that impact light. While it’s tempting to step around puddles, wearing correct footwear and passing through them is actually preferable so muddy areas don’t expand, and the trail with it.
• Be courteous. Especially since COVID, it’s nice to step as far as possible to the side when you meet someone coming the other way. Single hikers should yield to larger groups. On steep trails, hikers going uphill have the right-of-way. Do smile and say hello!