Leave No Trace has announced the designation of the Mountain Academy of Arts & Sciences at Ute Pass Elementary as a Leave No Trace Accredited Youth Program, the first within a public school in the nation to reach this distinction.
Using the power of science, education for all, and stewardship to support and protect nature, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet.
To become a Leave No Trace Accredited Youth Program, a site must demonstrate compliance with 11 standards that evaluate how a site incorporates Leave No Trace and stewardship education throughout all facets of their youth programming. This values-based accreditation requires participation not only from administrative and managerial level staff, but also program staff and the youth participants themselves.
“Leave No Trace is thrilled to announce the Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences at Ute Pass Elementary as the latest Leave No Trace Accredited Youth Program,” said Dana Watts, Leave No Trace executive director.
“The hard work and dedication of both the staff and students was evident throughout their submission. This distinction showcases the Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences as a leader in implementing Leave No Trace education within a public school’s curriculum.”
Miles Groth, a Mountain Academy instructor, explained that the school’s sixth-grade program includes learning and exploring outdoors, with hiking, rafting, fishing, camping, backpacking and caving on the curriculum.
“With groups of up to 50 people, we are going to have an impact on the natural environment. Through the accreditation process, students have built a strong understanding of how to minimize this impact and become stewards of the beautiful lands all around us.
“With this knowledge and experience they have been able to share these experiences with their families and the larger community.”
Information: LNT.org and upemaas.weebly.com.