Deepening Our Commitment to Leave No Trace
An exciting new update with our Leave No Trace Community Partnership.
Leave No Trace (LNT) has long been a core pillar of the WisCorps Crew Program. Each year we welcome young adults—many entering outdoor spaces for the first time—and give them the tools, confidence, and knowledge they need to thrive outside. Just as importantly, we teach them to leave the lands they work and camp on better than they found them.
From learning how to dig a proper cat hole to communicating with hikers about the purpose and value of a reroute with switchbacks, the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace provide the foundation for every crew member’s experience. These principles guide not only how we recreate, but how we work, travel, and make decisions in the field.
We are excited to share that WisCorps is growing its LNT training program in meaningful ways. Administrative Manager Kristy Brown and Crew Field Coordinator Jess Bedtka have entered our staff with Leave No Trace Trainer Level 2 certifications (formerly Master Educator). With two Level 2 trainers on staff, our organization now has the ability to formalize and expand the LNT education we offer.
Beginning in the 2026 field season, we plan to offer Level 1 certifications to AmeriCorps Crew Program and Individual Placement participants during onboarding. This means new members will start their service with the skills they need to understand their impact on the land and confidently engage with the public about LNT best practices. Because these trainings are led internally, we can tailor them to the specific landscapes, ecosystems, and challenges our AmeriCorps members encounter across the Midwest. While our program participants are intentionally deployed to make a mark through conservation projects, we want to ensure they understand how to do so thoughtfully, sustainably, and in alignment with best land-management practices. We also plan to bring more formal trainings to staff at Central Conservation and The Nature Place as part of our broader organizational commitment to responsible stewardship.
Another exciting milestone since our last update is that WisCorps is now an official Leave No Trace Community Partner. This means our organization is formally recognized by the LNT Foundation for our commitment to education and responsible recreation. As a community partner, we gain access to additional teaching materials, support, and resources—tools that help us expand our impact not only within our crew and IP programs, but also in the broader community.
We know that conservation is strongest when it happens through collaboration.
Over the past year, Kristy and Jess have continued building community partnerships that bring LNT education directly to the public. In Fall 2025, Kristy led a hands-on workshop with the Mississippi Valley Conservancy during the La Crosse Adventure Festival. Participants joined a field work day paired with discussions and scenario-based learning focused on the LNT principles. Looking ahead, Kristy and Jess plan to expand these opportunities—working with existing partners and forging new ones. In Spring 2025, they will be leading a workshop at the Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference, introducing LNT concepts to beginner hikers exploring Wisconsin’s unique landscapes.