Our public lands such as national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and local trails are incredible treasures. They provide breathtaking views, essential wildlife habitat, and endless opportunities for adventure. But these incredible spaces don’t maintain themselves.
Behind many trails and healthy ecosystems is dedicated conservation work – often completed by a conservation corps like American Conservation Experience (ACE).
As one of the nation’s leading conservation corps, ACE partners with agencies like the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore trails, remove invasive species, and enhance visitor experiences across the country.
While not everyone can join a conservation crew, we can all adopt a steward’s mindset. Here are five ways, rooted in ACE’s mission, to better care for our treasured outdoor spaces.
1) Pack It In, Pack It Out
ACE crews live by Leave No Trace principles every day. When you spend weeks serving on trail projects or in backcountry camps, you quickly learn how vital this rule is. Packing out your own waste is the baseline but ACE members often take it a step further, removing litter left by others as they work in national parks and forests.
Whether it’s a forgotten plastic bottle or a stray snack wrapper, take a moment to clean it up. ACE members collectively remove hundreds of pounds of trash and debris every year from public lands, proof that small actions, multiplied, have an enormous impact. Carry a small trash bag on your next hike and “leave it better than you found it.”
2) Stick to the Trail
Each year, ACE’s trail crews construct and maintain hundreds of miles of trail infrastructure nationwide such as stone steps, drains, retaining walls, and bridges designed to protect fragile ecosystems from erosion. When you go off trail, you widen paths, create new ones, and compact soil, damaging plant roots and disturbing wildlife.
Also, ruts may form which channel water, leading to further erosion. ACE crews dedicate weeks of labor to ensure trails are safe, sustainable, and accessible honoring the balance between recreation and restoration. The best way to preserve the integrity of trails is simple: stay on designated paths. This protects the natural ecosystem and ensures a safer hike as well.
3) Be Prepared
Preparation is one of the cornerstones of ACE fieldwork. Before any crew deploys, members study maps, review weather forecasts, check regulations, and pack emergency supplies. This same practice benefits every outdoor visitor.
Before you head out, ask yourself:
- What’s the weather forecast?
- Are there trail or fire restrictions?
- Do I have enough water, proper gear, and a map?
- What are the safety and communication plans?
Being prepared reduces strain on search and rescue teams and allows you to explore responsibly – just as ACE members do every day on conservation assignments from the Everglades to the Tetons.
4) Respect Wildlife (and Your Fellow Humans)
Public lands are home to countless species and ACE crews see that up close. From conducting wildlife surveys in Alaska to restoring endangered species habitat in Mississippi, our members understand that we are guests in these ecosystems.
Keep a respectful distance, never feed wild animals, and secure food properly. These small actions protect both you and the wildlife. And good stewardship includes kindness toward fellow outdoor enthusiasts: share the trail, keep noise levels low, and respect others’ outdoor experiences.
5) Get Involved
Supporting public lands isn’t just about what you do on the trail; it’s also about advocating for these spaces. A few ways you can help:
- Volunteer with local parks or land trusts.
- Support organizations like ACE that train and deploy the next generation of conservation leaders.
- Educate others on responsible outdoor recreation.
Public lands are America’s legacy, and their future depends on all of us. By following these five principles, modeled after ACE’s members and mission, you help sustain the beauty, biodiversity, and accessibility of the places we love.
Join the Movement
Since 2004, ACE has empowered over 10,000 young adults to protect and restore our nation’s natural and cultural treasures. ACE members dedicate nearly one million hours annually to service that restores trails, monitors species, removes invasives, provides disaster response for communities and more.
Whether you join a crew, support our mission, or simply practice stewardship in your community, you are part of a growing movement to care for public lands—today and for generations to come.
Learn more about ACE’s conservation work and how to get involved at www.usaconservation.org. Follow ACE on social media, tune in to our American Conservation Experience podcast, and help us keep America’s public lands thriving.
Did You Know?
In 2024, ACE:
- Built and/or maintained 228 miles of trails
- Installed 1,033 wood and rock steps
- Installed 201 trail signs
- Repaired and/or installed 16 miles of fencing
- Built 2,112 restoration structures such as erosion control structures