Reducing Trash on the Trail – Leave No Trace

As you walk, ride, or run along the trail, it’s not unusual to see bits of trash, as well as used dog poop bags, along the sides of the trail.  Two of the most important principles of Leave No Trace are Plan Ahead and Prepare, and Dispose of Waste Properly.  By planning ahead, users of the trail can determine the best way for them to contain and dispose of waste so that the trail stays free from trash and other waste.

One of the most common types of trash on the trail is pocket trash.  Pocket trash includes those pesky snack wrappers, tissues and other small bits that tend to fall out of pockets as we move along or reach into our pockets for other things.  The first step is just becoming aware of the possibility of inadvertently dropping trash as we use the trail.  A couple of ways to avoid or reduce pocket trash are as follows:

• Assign one pocket on your jacket, pants, etc. (preferably a zipped pocket) to be the collection spot for all your wrappers, used tissues, and other small bits of trash. That way you won’t drop the contents when you reach for other items.
• Carry a small plastic bag, stuff sack, wet bag, dry bag, or plastic container in a string bag, fanny pack, or backpack to hold all trash.
• Unwrap snacks at home and put the contents into reusable snack bags or containers. There will be no wrappers to blow away or drop.

Used dog poop bags are another item that is often left on the side of the trail.  Bagging dog waste is an important part of keeping the trail clean and any contamination from dog waste out of the ecosystem. Leaving the used bags on the side of the trail, rather than carrying them out, causes a maintenance issue as well as an aesthetic issue.

Carrying the waste off the trail and in many cases, back home is admittedly not pleasant, but here are a few suggestions for reducing odor and making the used poop bags easier to carry.

• Slip the used poop bag into a reusable odor proof bag and then place in a small stuff sack, dry bag, wet bag, ditty bag, etc. that can be attached to your bag, belt, or leash with a carabiner.
• As an alternative to an odor proof bag, take a regular zip lock bag and cover it with duct tape to make it stronger and have better odor control. Rinse and reuse the zip lock bag.
• Put the used poop bag into a reusable covered plastic container, peanut butter jar, or other container that has solid sides and can be washed easily – and carry the container in a string bag or backpack.

Before your next outing, whether it’s on the trail or in your local park, take a few minutes to plan how to manage your trash from the trip.  Using common household items and good use of pockets and bags, this practice will help make our outdoor areas cleaner and more enjoyable to use.

For more information on other Leave No Trace principles go to  https://lnt.org/

Are You Wearing a Helmet?
Did you know? Helmets are required by law for children on skates and scooters too!

“Conor’s Law” was passed in 2018, requiring children under 16 to wear a helmet when skateboarding, scootering, roller skating and in-line skating. The new statute adds on to the existing law requiring that children under age 16 wear protective headgear when riding a bicycle on a public road or in a park.

This law was championed by Ledyard mother Holly Irwin in memory of her son Conor, an accomplished student-athlete who died at the age of 14 following an accidental fall from his skateboard in 2016.

This law is important because it reminds us all that a crash can be just as devastating from skates as it is from a bicycle. Everyone should wear a helmet, but especially our most vulnerable, our children. Make sure your child has a helmet, and be a good example by wearing one yourself. The smart thing to do is always protect your head with a helmet, no matter your age or which wheels you’re rockin’!

Please Be Parking Lot Smart and Secure
Cars have been broken into in Trail parking lots. Please leave nothing visible in your car to tempt thieves.

Have you ever wondered if your bike helmet fits properly? Click here and be sure.

Be a Safe Trail User
Trail users have reported encounters with coyotes, bears and other wildlife on the trail. Following the rules of the trail, including keeping your pet leashed and close to your person, will help you avoid unwelcome attention from wild animals, whose presence in our midst we respect, at a distance.

Click on each animal’s name for information specifically relating to coyotes and black bears.

Our mission is to build, maintain, beautify and connect off-road multi-use trails throughout central Connecticut communities.
The trail is a linear park or greenway that begins in New Haven and wends its way 54 miles north to the Massachusetts border and beyond. It is championed by two groups: the Farmington Valley Trails Council, based in the Farmington Valley, and the Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association, based in Hamden. This website represents both groups. Generally, the FVTC advocates for the northern half, and FCRTTA for the southern section in the state. The gaps in the trail have shrunk to the point that the trail is truly a single entity and so it seems fitting to merge our websites as our groups increasingly work together.

If you are not a member, please consider becoming one.
The Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association and the Farmington Valley Trails Council. Inc. are CT 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations advocating for multi-use “rails-to-trails” in central Connecticut. We work tirelessly to “close the gaps” in the 81-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, the 18-mile Farmington River Trail, and the designated CT East Coast Greenway system. We help area towns fund trail construction, enhancements and ongoing maintenance. We also provide educational materials, 20,000 folding maps a year, and events that promote safety and proper etiquette on the trail system. We are only as strong as our members and volunteers…please get in touch and join us out on the trails!