In celebration of Earth Month, Winnebago Industries announced a new partnership with the environmental nonprofit, Leave No Trace, to promote environmental stewardship in boating and recreational vehicle (RV) activities. At the heart of the partnership, the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace have been adapted into first-of-their-kind guidelines to help RVers and boaters protect the outdoors while enjoying all the benefits of our country’s parks, campgrounds, roads and waterways.
“At Winnebago Industries, we want to ensure the outdoors remains a place to find health, happiness and connection, and we want to empower our customers to do the same,” said Stacy Bogart, chief legal officer and corporate responsibility lead at Winnebago Industries. “Our partnership with Leave No Trace supports our efforts to protect people and planet by promoting education on how to be good stewards of the outdoors while using our products.”
Responsible RVing and Boating
Leave No Trace provides innovative education, skills, research and science to help people care for the outdoors. Its 7 Principles give outdoor enthusiasts practical, easy-to-use guidelines to enjoy the outdoors with minimal impact to the environment, including:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impact
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Winnebago Industries and Leave No Trace have adapted the 7 Principles into sets of guidelines tailored specifically for RVers and boaters.
The RV guidelines offer best practices to protect campgrounds, parks and other outdoor areas, including:
- Parking only in designated RV locations or on durable surfaces
- Keeping pets leashed or inside the RV to protect them and surrounding wildlife
- Driving slowly and cautiously in campgrounds and shared spaces
Guidelines to help boat owners protect waterways and coastal environments include:
- Avoiding shallow waters where propellers may disturb marine life
- Cleaning vessels thoroughly before entering new waters to prevent the introduction of invasive species
- Practicing courteous, low-noise navigation, especially near residential areas and natural reserves
The full RV and marine specific principles can be found here.
A Shared Commitment to Protecting the Outdoors
“Responsible recreation is key to preserving the outdoor spaces we all enjoy,” said Leave No Trace Executive Director Dana Watts. “These new guidelines equip RVers and boaters with simple, effective ways to minimize their impact while still embracing adventure. We’re proud to partner with Winnebago Industries to bring these best practices to the community.”
Adds Bogart, “We know our customers and communities share our passion for the environment. Our partnership with Leave No Trace is another way we are elevating every moment outdoors and helping RV and boat owners make the most of their time outside.”
The launch of the partnership was featured in a recent episode of the Overland Journal podcast, with Mark Nevils, senior manager of brand strategy for the Winnebago brand.
