Recreate Responsibly

The Recreate Responsibility Coalition (RRC) was born from unique circumstances and needs. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the coalition developed and shared guidelines and messaging to ensure people have safe and successful outdoor adventures while caring for the places we recreate. And in service to the other centuries-long pandemic — systemic and targeted racism — the coalition also sought ways to dismantle barriers to accessing the outdoors while increasing inclusivity and equity for those who seek fellowship with nature.

As the pandemic has evolved, the need to keep people safe outdoors has only grown given record visitation to public lands and waters. Our messaging is evolving to address these changes, but our goals – to keep people, places, and communities safe – remains the same.

As accessing the benefits of the outdoors has proved so essential to the human experience, and as crowding, human-caused wildfires, and unforeseen issues will continue to affect our beloved natural spaces and communities, we will continue to share messaging and opportunities to connect, create community, and protect ourselves, each other, and the outdoors through #RecreateResponsibly.

Information on How to #RecreateResponsibly

As the popularity of the outdoors grows, so do our opportunities to rethink our responsibilities to each other and to the spaces we occupy. It also allows us to reimagine our relationship to the outdoors where, for most of the pandemic, millions found welcome respite.

Circumstances around the pandemic have evolved, but the need to keep people safe outdoors has only grown given record visitation to public lands and waters.

#RecreateResponsibly 2021 Guidelines: 

  • Know before you go. Check the status of the place you want to visit for closures, fire restrictions, and weather.

  • Plan and prepare. Reservations and permits may be required. Make sure you have the gear you need and a back-up plan.

  • Build an inclusive outdoors.  Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

  • Respect others. There is space for everyone and countless outdoor activities. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently.

  • Leave no trace.  Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles.

  • Make it better. We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. Volunteer, donate, and advocate for the outdoors.

 

 

Help the #RecreateResponsibly guidelines reach far and wide. Share your commitment to #RecreateResponsibly by using the hashtag on social media, or download the toolkit and share the guidelines on your own social media channels. You can also check out additional resources for specific user groups.

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Alternative Ideas To Do From Home

At the Greenway Trust, we believe that when we are connected with nature, our lives are better. We are living in extremely challenging times, where issues such as COVID-19 concerns, wildfires, poor air quality, and/or extreme heat or cold may keep you from being able to go out and recreate in all the same ways you used to. But that doesn’t mean you have to go without this important element of your life entirely. Try out some of the ideas below to get your nature fix from home.

Recreation Planning & Training
Entertainment
Skills & Learning
Kid-Friendly
Other

We’d love to see how you’re connecting with nature from home! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and use #mtsgreenway.