Leave What You
Find

Leave What You Find at Ute Valley Park

Preserving the natural state of Ute Valley Park ensures that future generations can enjoy and learn from it just as we do today. The principle of Leave What You Find is crucial in maintaining the park’s untouched beauty and ecological balance.

What does it mean to leave what you find?

Leaving what you find means:

• Not picking flowers, plants, or fungi
• Refraining from taking rocks, antlers, or other natural objects
• Not disturbing historical structures and artifacts
• Avoiding the creation of carvings, structures, or other physical marks in the park

Why is it important to leave what you find?

Following this principle is important because it:

• Maintains the natural abundance and diversity that wildlife depends on for survival, including plants, rocks, and other natural features
• Preserves the park as a historical and natural archive of the region
• Ensures that the park remains a scenic destination for all visitors

How can visitors practice leaving what they find?

Visitors can practice this principle by:

• Observing wildlife from a distance.

  Enjoy watching wildlife in their natural habitat without interfering. Unleashed pets, feeding animals, or approaching them can alter their behavior and endanger both their safety and yours.

• Taking photos instead of souvenirs.

  Capture memories with photographs rather than taking physical souvenirs. This allows the park to remain pristine for others and for your next visit.

• Staying on established paths.

  By keeping to the trails, visitors avoid trampling on undeveloped land, which can contain fragile archaeological sites or unseen ecosystems.

• Educating yourself and others.

  Learn about the cultural significance and natural ecosystem of Ute Valley Park. Share your knowledge with others to promote awareness and respect for Leave No Trace principles, or volunteer to help maintain the natural beauty of Ute Valley Park.

Embracing the Leave What You Find principle

By embracing the Leave What You Find principle, we help ensure that Ute Valley Park remains a vibrant, living landscape. This not only enhances our own experience, but also serves as a gift to those who will walk these trails after us. Let’s enjoy the natural splendor of Ute Valley Park and leave it just as we found it: untouched and full of wonder.