We asked local kids to share their tips for keeping the islands clean, being fire safe, and respecting wildlife. Learn about the principles of Leave No Trace from these bright (and often funny!) budding island stewards.
"I love living on Orcas Island because there's so many creatures."
"There was a glass bottle, wrappers, and a lot of plastic things. I was telling my mom that people are really just weird to do this."
"I would pick it up and put it either in my dad's pocket or my mom's pocket or my pocket. And then I would go find a trash can when we are done with the hike or the walk."
"Don't litter. And if you have a snack bar and you want to bring it to the beach, make sure there's a trash can nearby."
"There are lots of farms and beaches - and these big hikes where you can go up hills. There are high places and low places. There's a lot of cool animals on Lopez - especially the birds. It's like a mixture of everything."
"When it's summer you don't really want to make a fire that is not inside a burn pit that is made out of metal."
"I prefer not putting things in a fire that you're not supposed to. Like don't put in plastic or garbage or burnable things that are not supposed to be burned."
"Pour some water on it. I would get a stick and go around and break through it and put water, then move it around and see where the rest of it is. Then pour some more water so you know you got it all and you know there's not going to be a problem."
"I like living up here because all the nature is beautiful and the sun is mostly always shining. And everybody is nice around here."
"South Beach is the place to go! You've got a big beach, an ocean you can play in, and up here we've got rabbits and foxes all over the place.
"Don't feed them - rule number one. And don't go near their babies. You shouldn't feed the foxes because then they won't hunt for themselves. They'll start going up to people and getting food from them, but that's not the world should work.
"It's really cool how animals work and it's cool what they do in their natural habitat. But don't go anywhere near them because they might never come back."
