Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course - September 2025

Course Dates: Course work begins on September 4 and ends on September 23, 2025

Required Course Zoom Meetings: September 9, 11, 16, 18, 2025; 4:00pm - 6:30pm mountain time (UTC-6)

Anyone who spends time outdoors on public lands should be practicing Leave No Trace practices. We are pleased to offer the Virtual Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course as a commitment to help outdoor leaders strengthen their facilitation skills.  Using the online format approved by Leave No Trace, this LNT Level 1 Instructor Course will dive into the 'why' of LNT skills and ethics as well as spend considerable time with techniques for effectively facilitating learning opportunities to share these low impact practices with students of all ages. ​This course is ideal for outdoor leaders who have knowledge of the LNT principles and take people of all ages outdoors for single or multi-day courses. Participants will prepare and practice teach an in person lesson during the course (topics will be selected by participants on the first day of the course). A strong focus on teaching and learning as well as wildland ethics will be incorporated into this virtual training.  ​Prepare to complete 10 hours of online zoom course meetings and 10 hours of additional course pre-work and homework. This course is not 'at your own pace, on your own'. There will be specific assignment deadlines, synchronous online meetings/classes, and lots of asynchronous on-your-own activities/readings. The zoom course meetings are interactive and engaging and rely on participants full engagement through breakout rooms, editable google slides, padlets, and other online learning tools.

Texts/Materials

All participants should access the Digital Level 1 Instructor Course Packet available free for download. Participants are also encouraged (not required) to purchase the LNT Educator Toolkit prior to the course beginning. Purchasing at least one of the teaching books is helpful for participants.  

Virtual Learning Hardware and Software - these tools will make your learning experience the most effective and pleasant:

• laptop or desktop computer

• computer camera (so you can be seen by others on zoom) and microphone

• familiarity with google slides/docs and have a google/gmail log in

• ability to learn how to use Canvas LMS to access the course website and all assignments

• must create Padlet.com free login to be able to contribute to course activities and assignments

Pre Course and Post Course Work

• Participants are sent email communication 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the course with directions for logging into the course canvas website.

• Pre-work assignments are available 5 days before the course begins and are expected to be completed by the first zoom class.

• Post work final assignments are to be completed within 5 days of the last zoom class.

Eligibility

Participants must be 18 years old or older and identify as outdoor educators, leaders​, instructors, guides, rangers, etc. International folks (outside of USA) are welcome to participate.

Each Course Participant Receives

• Four 2.5-hour long sessions of engaging interactive virtual instruction from a Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor

• A Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Certification that will need to be reviewed every 2 years

• Tools and skills to co-instruct Level 1 Instructor Courses and teach

  Leave No Trace Skills Courses, and Workshops

• Certificate of 24 professional development training hours