Suston provides 10 tips to help you be more sustainable on your outdoor adventures.

Nature offers us countless opportunities for outdoor adventures – whether we go climbing, skiing or hiking. But how can we make sure we’re doing it sustainably and minimizing our impact on the environment? In this article, Suston presents ten tips that can help you make your outdoor adventures more sustainable in the future.

1. Gain general awareness of nature

The more you know about nature, the easier it is to behave properly in it. You can find information and knowledge on the websites of nature conservation various outdoor organizations such as Nabu, the German Alpine Association (DAV), or the American Alpine Club. Outdoor stores will also often have a large selection of literature on various nature and outdoor topics for adults and children. You can also look for relevant events and offers that provide a better understanding of nature, whether in the form of lectures, guided tours with nature guides, workshops or online tutorials.

2. Choose environmentally friendly means of transportation

Not everyone has the mountains, forests or water right outside their front door. To improve the carbon footprint of your travel, think carefully about whether you really need your car. Choosing public transportation is not only more environmentally and climate friendly, but often easier and more relaxing than one may think. There are now numerous online travel planners that you can use to organize your connections. Many tourist regions, including most major mountain resorts, now offer their own shuttle service to/from the nearest train or bus station. And if you can’t or don’t want to give up your car, feel free to carpool to reduce traffic on the roads.

3. Sustainable tour planning

Plan your tour carefully. In concrete terms, make sure you know the route well in advance to ensure you stay on designated trails and don’t disturb the relevant ecosystems. If the route leads through national parks and nature reserves, observe the rules and behavioral instructions that apply there. In addition, the respective tourist regions often offer tour suggestions including GPS tracks on their websites. In the event of spontaneous route changes, stay on the marked trails if possible – even if your legs are already a bit tired and the shortcut seems tempting.

4. Wild camping: respect the rules

In many countries, wild camping – that is, pitching a tent wildly somewhere in nature – is prohibited in many places. The alternative is designated campsites. In emergency situations, so-called bivouacs are also permitted – that is, sleeping under the open sky or under a tarp in a bivouac sack. In some countries like Sweden, Norway and Canada, wild camping is permitted in many areas. Here, the so-called “Right to Roam” applies. This means that nature can be used by everyone – as long as you leave everything as you found it before. Find out in advance what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do.

5. Use sustainable equipment

When buying your equipment, pay attention to the issue of sustainability. First of all, focus on quality – durability is still the most important sustainability argument of a product. In addition, you should choose equipment and clothing whose production has as little impact on the environment and the climate as possible. Here, it’s recommended to find products made from ecologically and responsibly sourced natural materials or recycled materials. If possible without impregnation by environmentally harmful fluorocarbons.

6. Use equipment consciously

The longer and more often a product is used, the lower its overall environmental footprint. Therefore, before buying, consider whether and how often you really need the item. It can often make sense to borrow or rent equipment. Another option is to buy used outdoor products online or in stores – and to sell them again after the adventure. Last but not least, it’s important for the product’s lifetime (and second-hand value) to clean and care for it appropriately. And if something breaks, it’s often worth repairing it – either by dropping it off at the store where you purchased it or repairing by yourself at home.

7. Take your garbage with you

It sounds obvious – yet on many mountaintops and other journeys you will always find discarded items by the wayside. Protect the environment by not leaving any waste in nature. If possible, always have a bag with you to collect your trash and dispose of it when you return. And try to avoid single-use plastic and other packaging when packing your provisions. For example, use water bottles, Tupperware or beeswax wraps that you can clean and reuse after use. Of course, if you want to make a special effort, feel free to pick up trash along the way into your own bag here and there and take it with you – nature will thank you.

8. Dealing with animals

Of course, a highlight of any tour is spotting animals along the way that you don’t get to see too often. But whether it’s shy marmots, rare birds, grazing reindeer or alpine cows – avoid disturbing the animals during your tour. Stay on designated trails, keep quiet and keep a respectful distance. Especially in spring, when many young animals are born and the parents are on guard, you should take special care. If you have a dog with you, you should keep it on a leash or close to you during this time.

9. Leave No Trace

As children, we all once built a small dam in a stream. And certainly this time contributes to learning to appreciate nature and its beauty at a young age. In principle, however, everything has its place in nature and you should avoid taking things and changing them. If possible, leave the places and paths where you move as you find them. Picking berries, mushrooms and herbs is generally allowed outside protected areas. However, it is important to exercise moderation so that everything can grow back and the ecosystem remains intact.

10. Be an ambassador for sustainable adventures

You yourself can help create greater awareness for sustainable outdoor experiences. Share your knowledge with others and advocate for proper environmental stewardship. Show how easy and fascinating it can be to actively and consciously experience nature. The more people decide to travel in an environmentally and climate friendly way, the better it is for nature and our planet.

Photos: Melanie Haas