BY JEAN DEWART
Los Alamos

As spring break and summertime recreation beckons, we must recognize that the staffing of our National Forests, National Parks, and BLM lands has been significantly reduced. We will have many fewer professional parks and outdoor staff to assist us. What to do?

1) We do not want to start forest fires! Please do not start a campfire that you are unable to control and properly extinguish. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053601. There have been many abandoned campfires in the Jemez Mountains already this year – requiring the USFS or others to extinguish them.

2) Practice Leave No Trace camping. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/ gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3ezniPb9iwMVL9bCBB1JPRWjEAAYASAAEgI
_MPD_BwE.

a. Bring your own trash bags, so that you can take your own trash home at the end of your camping trip. Don’t dump trash when bins are already over-flowing!

b. Be prepared to manage your own personal waste. Pee 100 yards from streams or lakes. Pack out your TP in Ziplock bags. Use WAG bags to contain poop – the WAG bags can be disposed of in regular landfills. https://www.treelinereview.com/gearreviews/human-waste-bag-wag-bag-toilet-kits You can buy WAG bags at many stores with outdoor recreation sections.

3) Tell your friends about the impact of reduced staffing and the need for all of us to step up our behavior.