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Help Preserve Arizona's Natural Landscapes
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Learn Appreciate AZ's Seven Principles of Responsible Tourism
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As we reflect on the past year, we're looking at how we can become more sustainable and responsible explorers. The Arizona Office of Tourism and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics have forged a partnership to promote sustainable tourism practices across Arizona's spectacular landscapes and unique destinations.
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Appreciate AZ is Arizona's program for responsible tourism. It ensures we are doing our part to educate visitors and residents on how to recreate responsibly and to keep our state beautiful for future generations. Below are the seven principles that make up the Appreciate AZ program.
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Number 1: Plan Ahead & Prepare - Outdoor preparedness is especially vital in Arizona. For one, the six diverse biomes that sprawl throughout the state can transform the terrain from desert to forest-and the climate from balmy to snowy-in less than 150 miles. For two, many of the state's natural areas and tribal lands require special reservations or permits to visit.
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Number 2: Stick to Trails - Wander with wonder, but please stick to the trails and hike or camp only on existing or designated trails and campsites. When you minimize your impact, you help protect plants, animals and yourself. Ready to experience hiking in Arizona? Hiking ideas can be found here.
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Number 3: Trash Your Trash
- Ecosystems are delicate and even organic trash can have a negative impact. So, when it comes to trash and waste, pack it in and pack it out..
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You might be surprised to know that Arizona has six distinct ecosystems-each with varying climates, wildlife and plants. Preservation of these diverse worlds goes beyond appreciation. It's essential for every one of us who sets foot in Arizona's forests or deserts to protect these delicate ecosystems.
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Number 4: Leave What You Find
- In Arizona, there is so much to discover and history to explore. Take pictures and make memories, but please don't take mementos or leave a mark.
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The best way to preserve the wild beauty of Arizona's rare species of flora and otherworldly landscapes? Practice Leave No Trace by enjoying these treasures without touching them.
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Number 5: Be Careful With Fire
- Minimize fire impacts by using only designated fire pits and keeping your campfire small, safe and attended. Arizona's hot, dry climate is perfect to catch a blaze, making this principle ever so important. Although peak fire season in Arizona starts with hot, dry weather in May and runs through the arrival of monsoons and humidity in July, fires can occur year-round-meaning, to enjoy Arizona's wilderness areas, vigilance is required year-round too.
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Number 6: Respect Wildlife
- Arizona's great outdoors is home to more than 800 species of wildlife. One example of our few furry friends native to Arizona that you may encounter during your outdoor adventure is the Javelina - Although it looks similar to a wild boar, the bristly-coated javelina is a collared peccary. They prefer the desert areas of the state, although they range as far north as Flagstaff and the Mogollon Rim.
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Number 7: Share the Outdoors
- Tips Every Outdoor Enthusiast Can Practice
• Follow local guidelines. Check signage for what activities are allowed on specific trails and the right-of-way rules.
• Foster situational awareness. When on a trail, let others know when you're approaching from behind in a friendly, calm tone of voice.
• Be friendly. A congenial "Hi!" or "Beautiful day today!" goes a long way towards making everyone feel welcome.
• If you bring it in, pack it out. No one wants to see water bottles or wrappers alongside a trail, whether it's in the wilderness or an urban environment.
• Stay on existing trails.strong Creating your own path or switchbacks can damage plants, disturb wildlife and increase erosion.
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For more sustainable tourism ideas, visit:
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Appreciate AZ: The Arizona Office of
Tourism and the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics
have forged a partnership to promote sustainable tourism
practices across Arizona's spectacular landscapes and
unique destinations. In addition to following local rules
and regulations, it's important to understand the
principles of Leave No Trace, which are guidelines that
help protect beautiful, wild spaces. These include such
things as plan and prepare, stick to trails, trash your
trash, leave what you find, be careful with fire, respect
wildlife, and share the outdoors. Appreciate AZ is
Arizona's program for responsible tourism. It ensures we
are doing our part to educate visitors and residents on
how to recreate responsibly and to keep our state
beautiful for future generations. If we do our part to
take care of our public lands, we will have the privilege
of enjoying them for many years to come. Thank you for
doing your part to keep Arizona beautiful!
Want to learn more about Arizona? Visit our Online
Training Programme, Arizona From A to
Z!
Please note: For visitor guidance due
to COVID-19 such as mask-wearing, a list of
tourism-related reopening's or closures, and a link to
public health guidelines, click here: https://www.visitarizona.com/covid-19/.
Some attractions are open year-round, and some are
open seasonally or move to seasonal hours. To ensure
the places you want to see are open on your travel
dates, please check their website for hours of
operation.
For General Arizona Information - https://www.visitarizona.com
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