Leave No Trace Level 1 Course

Virtual Level 1 Course - August 10-12, 2026

Participants taking the Level 1 Instructor Course will learn Leave No Trace skills, ethics, and techniques for educating others. Level 1 Instructor Course graduates are prepared to offer Leave No Trace Skills Courses and Workshops to their community.

Buy $200.00

This Course Requires Virtual Meetings

Course Requirements:

Each participant must commit to attending all group virtual meetings, as well as finishing the self-paced work within the course timeframe. All participants must have access to:

A computer with a webcam & microphone
Reliable internet connection

Course curriculum

Topics we will cover:

1. Course Instructions
2. Course Requirements
3. Course Agenda
4. Goals and Objectives
1. It Takes All Of Us
2. Our Mission
3. Guidelines, Not Rules
4. Practice Not Perfection
5. The Leave No Trace Organization
6. Overview of Leave No Trace's New Training Structure
7. Recreational Training
8. Instructor Training Track
1. Teaching Leave No Trace
2. Teaching: The Art and The Science
3. Learning Preferences & Inclusive Teaching
4. Analyzing Your Audience
5. Teaching Methods
6. Debriefing the Lesson
1. Preparing for Your Teaching Session
2. Steps for Planning Your Lesson
3. Lesson Plans
4. Lesson Plan Template
5. Teaching Session Examples
6. Teaching Tips
7. Feedback
8. Resources for Your Teaching Session
1. Human Caused Impacts
2. Cumulative Impacts
3. Practice Not Perfection
4. The 7 Principles
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare: Overview
2. Backcountry Trip Planning
3. Key Elements to Consider When Planning a Trip
4. The 10 Essentials
5. Planning for Different Types of Trips
6. Inquiry: Plan Ahead and Prepare
7. Teaching Plan Ahead and Prepare
1. Travel and Camp On Durable Surfaces: Overview
2. What Do We Mean By Durable?
3. Understanding Durable Surfaces
4. Off-Trail Travel
5. Camping
6. How to Choose a Campsite
7. Inquiry: Durable Sufaces
8. Teaching Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
1. Dispose of Waste Properly: Overview
2. Trash
3. Managing Human Waste
4. Human Waste Disposal Methods
5. How to Use a WAG Bag
6. Urine
7. Menstural Waste
8. Build a Backcountry Poop Kit
9. Grey Water
10. Inquiry: Waste Disposal
11. Teaching Dispose of Waste Properly
1. Zoom Meeting
1. Leave What You Find: Overview
2. Everything Plays a Role
3. Foraging and Collecting
4. Avoid Spreading Invasive Plants and Animals
5. Inquiry: The Wow
6. Teaching Leave What You Find
1. Minimize Campfire Impacts: Overview
2. Should I Have a Fire?
3. How to Put Out a Fire
4. Responsible Campfires
5. Collecting Firewood
6. Inquiry: Fire Restrictions
7. Teaching Minimize Campfire Impacts
1. Zoom Meeting
1. Respect Wildlife: Overview
2. How Do We Impact Wildlife
3. Observe From a Distance
4. Keep Wildlife Wild
5. Store Food, Trash, and Other Attractants Securely
6. How to Use a Bear Canister
7. Inquiry: Food Storage
8. Teaching Respect Wildlife
1. Be Considerate of Others: Overview
2. Respect Others and Protect the Quality of Their Experience
3. Yield to Other Trail Users
4. Be Considerate With Pets
5. Leave No Trace and Sharing the Lands
6. Inquiry: Building a Welcoming Outdoors
7. Teaching Be Considerate of Others
1. Activity Specific Principles
2. Guidelines
3. Leave No Trace In Daily Life
4. Leave No Trace and Sharing the Lands
1. Your Role as a Level 1 Instructor
2. Leave No Trace National Training Guidelines
3. Resources for Teaching Leave No Trace
4. Course Materials
5. Effective Communication of Leave No Trace
1. Leave No Trace Partnerships
2. Spotlights
3. Gold Standard Designation
1. The Science Behind Leave No Trace
2. Leave No Trace Research
1. Action Plan
1. Put Leave No Trace Into Action
2. Follow Us
3. Course Evaluation
4. Thank You!
1. Zoom Meeting

About this course

$200.00
106 lessons

Virtual Level 1 Course - August 10-12, 2026

This Course Requires Virtual Meetings

Course curriculum

Welcome

The Leave No Trace Organization

Principles of Education

Your Teaching Session

Leave No Trace Curriculum

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

First Zoom Meeting

4. Leave What You Find

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

Second Zoom Meeting

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Others

Leave No Trace Beyond the 7 Principles

Teaching Leave No Trace

Partnerships and Programs

The Research Behind Leave No Trace

Action Plans

Wrap Up

Third Zoom Meeting

About this course

Register for the Virtual Level 1 Course