Discovering the Outdoors as a Responsible Adventurer

For today’s more eco-conscious travellers, planning active trips at home or abroad comes with a certain level of environmental responsibility. More of you are choosing green outdoor experiences and are mindful of the impact your adventures might have on delicate ecosystems in over-visited areas or unspoilt natural settings.

Exploring different places can be incredibly rewarding whether you’re into camping under the stars, trekking in remote mountains, kayaking in lakes or cycling across Europe over diverse terrains. Thankfully, many outdoor rental companies, tourist firms and hospitality venues now support the quest to be active, adventurous and sustainable.

They help provide sustainable gear, modes of transport and offer ideas to help make well-informed and environmentally-conscious decisions before and during active travels. This guide delves into accessing eco-friendly equipment and learning how to protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems once you reach your destination.

Appreciating Ways to Protect Wildlife

Before embarking on your outdoor adventure, begin by familiarising yourself with the places you’re planning to visit and check whether there are any particular environmental areas that are protected or have strict guidelines in place. For example, hiking trails across the UK and Europe follow certain bylaws, public rights of way, and have regulations in place to safeguard local habitats.

European countries have different rules and schemes to protect animal and plant species in their natural habitats. Despite positive results, only around 27% of assessed species have a good conservation status. In the Alps, habitat degradation and the fragmentation of habitats has arisen as up to 120 million visitors arrive a year to its tourist resorts.

These rules aren't arbitrary but carefully crafted guidelines to protect vulnerable habitats and species. If you’re hiking, the "Leave No Trace" principles should be at the forefront of your mind and, ideally, resist the urge to create new trails. For example, some bird nesting areas might be off-limits during spring, while fragile alpine forests can be closed in particular seasons.

Similarly, respecting signs is important as these are potentially there to preserve the ecosystem. It’s important to look out for nature reserves and be mindful if you’re exploring rural, mountainous or coastal areas that might have restrictions to protect breeding wildlife or designated recovery periods. Be mindful of beach closures, lakes that are off limits, or walking routes that have designated paths, also known as E-paths.

Meanwhile, maintaining appropriate distances from wildlife isn't just a legal obligation, it's also about being considerate of the environment. Nature photographers often face the temptation to get closer for that perfect shot, but as MPB, a used camera specialist, emphasizes in their wildlife photography tips, using the right telephoto lenses and field techniques is the key to capturing stunning images from a safe distance.

Responsible photography not only protects vulnerable wildlife from being disturbed, but can also result in far more natural, authentic compositions being captured. If you’re hiring equipment, you can always ask providers about local trail closures, protected zones and conservation projects.

While you’re away, you have an ideal opportunity to inspire others to adopt eco-friendly principles on their outdoor adventures by uploading images or videos on social channels. Rather than geotagging sensitive locations that can become overwhelmed with visitors, only identify a general area instead of the exact wild swim spot, walking trail or beach to prevent the negative repercussions of overtourism.

Choosing Sustainable Travel

Recognizing how you travel to outdoor destinations is a key factor when it comes to lowering your carbon footprint. Reports suggest that in general, tourism accounts for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions when you include modes of transport, shopping and accommodation. If you have an option to swap your flight for a train or choose human-powered transport, you can reduce your personal impact. While flying can be convenient, choosing sustainable travel methods and rental equipment will significantly impact your environmental footprint.

Various activities contribute to tourism’s carbon footprint so try out anything that is electric or powered by your own energy. Supporting the circular economy is another sustainable switch that can contribute to you having a responsible adventure. You can choose to rent any outdoor equipment rather than buy it new, whether you need to stock up on essential camping items, hire paddle boards packages, or invest in eco-friendly climbing gear.

Therefore, when and where possible, opt for public transport to reach areas you’re keen to explore. If you are cycling on rented bikes, stick to established trails to prevent soil erosion and vegetation damage. Some outdoor activity organisations can also drop you off at popular hiking trailheads and camping areas, eliminating the need for you to drive there solo. It’s also worth noting that properly maintained rental equipment typically runs more efficiently and safely, reducing both environmental impact and risk of accidents happening.

Think about limiting or even avoiding the purchase of souvenirs too, single-use water bottles or touristy goods are prime examples. Not only are you reducing the overall consumption of goods, your eco-conscious efforts can also help cut the demand and overuse of dangerous plastics. They are responsible for harming wildlife, polluting oceans and making many of the planet’s waterways a toxic problem.

Enjoying Wild Swims and Activities in Water

Wild and sustainable swimming in natural bodies of water has surged in popularity in recent years. However, this activity requires particular care to ensure both personal safety and environmental protection. Always enter water slowly to minimize disturbance to marine life, and avoid stirring up sediment in shallow areas where it might affect visibility and oxygen levels. Use reef-safe sunscreen if swimming in sensitive water systems, as conventional sunscreens might contain chemicals that can be harmful to aquatic organisms.

Be mindful of tidal concerns, swim safely in open waters and avoid areas when water levels are dangerously low or ecosystems are under stress. Responsible swimmers can also be great advocates for clean water and can join river or beach cleanups and support local conservation groups.

Respecting local biodiversity and the environment is ultimately the way forward to becoming a responsible adventurer. If you can, always abide by rules or preservation orders that have been purposely established to protect a natural setting. In doing so, you’re making valuable steps towards protecting places you explore on foot, in waterways, or by bike.

Whatever outdoor experience you’re after, it’s not only about personal enjoyment but about collective, sustainable measures to safeguard this magical planet. If you’re ready to be part of this change, contact Outzip ahead of your next trip.