1. Employ knowledgeable and responsible staff. Staff members are the teachers and role models for your visitors. When hiring, look for leaders with a background in environmental education, conservation or wilderness travel. Tour guides, campground staff, clerks and maintenance crew should all learn the basics of local ecology, low-impact nature travel and wilderness safety. To assist, develop an employee training program addressing each of these areas.

2. Emphasize environmental awareness as part of your mission. Outline your commitment to responsible nature tourism in promotional materials, guidebooks and signage. Strive to instill a sense of wonder and responsibility for the natural and cultural resources of the region.

3. Teach about the environment. Provide visitors with educational programs and materials highlighting unique and fragile ecosystems. Invite experts from local environmental organizations to lead special programs. When possible, post signage identifying native and endangered species habitat to help minimize disturbance.

4. Encourage pre-trip planning and preparation. Emergency rescue missions create severe environmental disturbance and endanger lives. Advise tourists to make advance preparations for their nature experience. Include information on local wildlife, camping and hiking restrictions and adverse weather in your promotional materials. Provide a supply list of necessary items such as sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, compass, appropriate clothing and water supplies. Post emergency phone numbers and instructions in visible areas on your site.

5. Promote the “Leave No Trace” ethic. Leave No Trace is the idea that each nature visitor should try to minimize their impact so that the wilderness is preserved for the benefit of wildlife and future visitors. Instruct tourists to refrain from disturbing or removing plants, vines, shells, rocks, fallen wood or historic artifacts. Instruct hikers to “pack out” all waste, keeping it with them until they arrive at a waste receptacle.

6. Teach non-invasive wildlife viewing. Tourists are anxious to see nature in action; teach them that the best way to spot wildlife is to move quietly and cautiously and use binoculars rather than approaching animals. Educate visitors on dangerous or endangered wildlife. Restrict wildlife viewing during mating seasons or in fragile habitat.

7. Promote safe and responsible backcountry travel. It is particularly important to instruct visitors on how to “leave no trace” in the backcountry wilderness. Groups should be limited to four to six people, and each hiker should receive adequate maps and travel information. If campsites are not designated, advise hikers to camp on “durable surfaces” such as trails, rocks or dry grasses at least 200 feet from lakes or streams. Maintain a strict policy on campfires—gas stoves and lanterns can serve as safe substitutes. If toilet facilities are unavailable, visitors must bury human wastes six to eight inches deep and 200 feet from trails, campsites or waterways.

8. Educate boaters to preserve waterways. Post signage at boat launches instructing boaters to refuel on land, rather than on the water, and to clean up fuel and oil spills immediately. Ask boaters to remove aquatic plants from boats to avoid transporting invasive species. Boats should travel in deep channels to avoid manatee, and must maintain at least 50 feet of distance from manatees. Uphold a fishing policy of “catch and release” to maintain aquatic ecosystems.