Respectful in the great outdoors
More and more people are spending their holidays in nature. Disturbances caused by leisure activities put enormous stress on wildlife. Consideration is essential.
More and more people are spending their holidays and leisure time out in nature.
They barbecue, hike, climb, mountain bike, swim, paddle along rivers and across lakes, jog, and stroll through forests and meadows. This active outdoor lifestyle has consequences for animals and plants. Some leisure activities practised carelessly in nature damage habitats and threaten biodiversity.
Those who do not behave considerately can disturb nesting sites, drive away wildlife, or interfere with the rearing of their young.
Werner Müller, President of the Festival of Nature association.
Small animals, plants, and the soil are all affected by outdoor activities. Uncontrolled or improperly used campfires destroy habitats, and litter left behind carelessly can harm or kill animals.
The Festival of Nature association is now implementing RESPECT NATURE on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, together with numerous nature conservation and tourism organisations. The campaign aims to motivate the public to take greater care of nature during leisure activities.
«The aim is not to prevent people from experiencing nature, but to encourage considerate behaviour during leisure activities outdoors», says Werner Müller.
At the heart of RESPECT NATURE are ten rules for nature-friendly recreation.
- Take your litter home with you.
- Stay on marked paths.
- Refrain from picking plants.
- Keep your distance from animals in their habitats.
- Ask for permission before camping.
- Do not enter, drive through, or fly over protected areas.
- Keep your dog on a lead.
- Use designated barbecue areas when grilling.
- Heading out into nature? Take public transport rather than a car.
- Observe the local regulations in force.
Those who value nature-friendly recreation take their litter home, stick to
marked paths, and keep dogs on leads in protected areas. Nature lovers
Recreational users take public transport, use designated fire pits, and ask for permission before
camping. Nature conservation regulations must also be respected, as well as
nature as the habitat of animals and plants.
The ten RESPECT NATURE rules also include observing suitable water zones when engaging in water sports. «The needs of those seeking recreation and the demands of nature can be reconciledThe needs of those seeking recreation and the demands of nature can be reconciled», says Müller, «so that people get their money's worth and nature comes to no harm.»
In the campaign conducted via social media, representatives of nature and tourism organisations address the public with short video messages. They offer behavioural recommendations and express appreciation for respectful conduct. These messages cover a wide range of leisure activities across all parts of the country and linguistic regions — in the Jura, the Mittelland and the mountains, on land and on water.
