SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Those who find themselves annoyed when they encounter discarded trash while hiking, fishing or boating through the otherwise seemingly unspoiled areas of our coastal region often ask why someone would leave behind evidence of their visit.

A workshop planned for Saturday, April 11, from 2-4 p.m., at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort won’t offer answers for that perplexing question, but folks taking part will learn how to be a part of the solution, rather than contribute to the problem. The session is free, and open to the public.

The Boulder, Colo.-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (LNT), which will be conducting the workshop along with the Alabama Hiking Trail Society (AHTS), is an nonprofit educational group dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, according to its mission statement.

The workshop will be led by Alabama LNT Advocate and Trainer Skip Essman. He said, “I’ll be discussing the LNT program — a low-impact type of hiking and camping for all outdoor enthusiasts, along with fishing, hunting and use of waterways.”

Essman added he will talk in detail about LNT’s seven ethics related to the outdoors, including practices designed to protect natural ecosystems and the creatures who call them home.

LNT’s Web site states the group “believes that education is the best means to protect natural lands from recreational impacts while helping maintain access for recreation and enjoyment.” Essman noted there are LNT educators already in place in 47 of the 50 states.

“There are different levels of training if people want to get more involved,” he said. “It’s a national program. There are more than 100 trainers in Alabama, with 16-20 master educators.”

Joe Cuhaj, AHTS vice president of publicity, asked Essman (also an AHTS member) to come down. Cuhaj said those who stop by 5 Rivers this weekend will learn how to “leave an area better than when you first arrived. A lot of times people go in without even thinking. They go in with the best intentions. You would think that people would keep (properly disposing of trash) in mind, but not always.”

Essman said he and Cuhaj have been organizing the workshop for the last three weeks, hoping to get in much information in a relatively brief time.

Referring to topics discussed in some LNT sessions, Essman said, “We have front country programs for established campgrounds like state parks.” He noted the group teaches the importance of introducing children to the great outdoors while leaving the wilderness, as well as fellow campers and hikers undisturbed.

“Respect wildlife. The wildlife are wild,” he said. “Don’t mess the up where they can’t survive if humans aren’t around.” Essman said that is best done by not feeding them directly, nor leaving food behind so they will continue to forage for their meals.

He also advises to never build a bonfire, but to rather use small campfires and make sure they are fully extinguished before leaving.

Essman said, “We ask they carry some type of trash container. Pack it in, pack it out. That way there’s no trash left behind. The more we can teach them, the better we’re all going to be.”

LNT guidelines can also be used when going to the beach, Essman pointed out.

The group suggests outdoor ethics include a sense of stewardship gained through understanding and connecting with the natural world. The Web site states that the organization’s principles are science-based, and build ethical, pragmatic approaches to resource protection for varying types of outdoor recreation and enjoyment.

For more information about the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, visit www.lnt.org. To learn more about the workshop of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, e-mail Joe Cuhaj at jcuhaj@bellsouth.net.