I love going out and enjoying natural surroundings! Eco-tourism is a really popular and major draw to New Zealand, but with the country being so far away from everything else - how eco-friendly is this type of travel? It is also really expensive to travel in this country, which is why I haven't done so very much. Enjoying nature shouldn't have to involve a lot of expense and time commitment.

FitSugar recently posted "Get Physical: Plan a day outdoors" and "How to Pack for a Camping Trip" which are excellent sources of information and motivation to get outside.

Even if you cannot get away for long enough to go hiking in the backcountry for a week, is there a hill or mountain nearby that would be fun to visit for a few hours to have a picnic? Maybe a beach or just a park? We are always talking about eco-friendly practices, but how often to we leave the city to go enjoy what it is we are wanting to preserve?

It would be even better to be immersed in nature if you were able to get there by taking public transportation or better yet - carpooling/ride sharing with someone else who is already going to the same place! Often, hiking/camping/outdoor gear shops have boards where people can post where they are planning on going and you can contact them to set up ride-sharing to your destination. This works especially well for getting to trail-heads since buses generally drop you at a nearby town or information booth.

I love backcountry camping - the experience of taking up enough gear and food for several days (3-4 days is my preference because food is really heavy!) and having the trail mostly to myself (along with my best friend/roommate of 7 years who is always with me) while eating food next to a stream, surrounded by trees! Its pure heaven. For backcountry camping, one needs to be prepared with all the supplies you'd need since you are so secluded. below is a list of some of my favorite things. I didn't include shoes, as I have some vegan hiking boots and vegan socks (most hiking socks are made of wool) and i dont necessarily think they are the best , they are merely animal-free.

If you are trying out a new sport or don't anticipate using a piece of equipment very often, it might be a good idea to RENT your gear! Many outdoor stores offer this service (MEC in Canada, REI in the states) as do several conservation-type places.
MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op, which I wrote about here has some excellent written sources on hiking/camping:

Here are all their Trip Checklists for various outdoor activities.

What to bring even for a short trip:

Map
Compass – Even if you are carrying a GPS, it is essential that you can navigate using a map and compass.
Water
Extra food
Extra clothes
First-aid kit – The size of the kit will depend on the number of people in your party, the length of the trip, and the remoteness and level of risk you plan to engage in. Remember to restock items in your kit and to check the condition of the contents and any expiration dates.
Knife
Headlamp/flashlight – With spare bulbs and batteries.
Whistle – A whistle attracts attention, can be heard over long distances, and is more sustainable than shouting for help. Three blasts is a standard distress signal.
Waterproof matches/lighter
Fire starter/candle lantern
Large orange plastic bag – One of the most valuable items on the list. Crawl into the bag to keep warm and dry. The orange colour is highly visible and helps attract attention, particularly from the air.
Emergency space blanket

This is MEC's Backcountry checklist.

Here is some proof that I love enjoying nature:

1) me on a car-camping trip (the type of camping where you have a camp site that you don't generally have to hike to - peoples pitch their tents next to their cars) at nearby (when I lived in Calgary - 30 minutes away) Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada:

2) me next to my tent in Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountains, Canada

3) another Jasper National Park picture

**Important! Leave No Trace – Backcountry Etiquette
"The places where we play are increasingly feeling the impacts. We want to inspire you to get outside and to make thoughtful choices while you're there. Read on for some tips and tricks to shrink your footprint while you're playing hard."

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 70 meters from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 15 to 20 centimeters deep at least 70 meters from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 meters away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find
Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires
.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises
Find additional details on the Leave No Trace Canada website

More Ways to Reduce Your Impact

Carpool
Join forces with your pals and leave a few cars at home. Try to organize your outings so you can carpool with fellow adventurers and keep our planet a little healthier. Hey – how about riding or busing to the trailhead?

Join your local access society or trail maintenance group

Access is a key issue in Canada, in the climbing, paddling, skiing and cycling community. Development and user conflicts threaten many of the trails, crags and rivers we depend on. Keeping your favorite places in shape takes help – find a local organization working on these issues and give them a hand


**** do you like to hike or camp? Do you like going to the park? I'd love to hear about your experiences or any experiences you've had engaging with your natural surroundings! Please post in this group in a separate post or below in your comments!