UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Starting in fall 2025, the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) will offer all Penn State undergraduate students an opportunity to earn Leave No Trace Level 2 certification — the highest level of Leave No Trace training available.
Leave No Trace is a global leader in sustainability education and efforts to reduce human impacts on the environment. Penn State is one of a select few universities in the United States that offers Level 2 certification through Leave No Trace.
Students will learn about Leave No Trace principles and the scientific research surrounding sustainability initiatives that affect everyday lives and be positioned to earn Level 2 certification.
"Leave No Trace Level 2 certification is valuable for any student at Penn State who seeks sustainability training,” Associate Professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Derrick Taff said. “This certification is built around sustainable behaviors. Students will learn how to practice those behaviors as well as how to teach those behaviors. After course and certification completion, students can go forth and train others, as they will become a certified Leave No Trace Level 2 provider.”
Level 2 certification delves into the impacts people create on the natural world and the social science for how and why people behave. Students also will learn about recreation ecology, which is the science behind how recreation behaviors influence the environment. Finally, students will learn Leave No Trace teaching practices during the course while pursuing certification.
“Leave No Trace and Penn State share a deep and enduring commitment to the protection of natural places through science-based education,” said Dana Watts, executive director of Leave No Trace. “This latest evolution of our partnership — an advanced course for high-level Leave No Trace instruction — equips educators and leaders with the most current and effective strategies for teaching low-impact, responsible recreation."
Penn State is an academic community partner of Leave No Trace, and its research has informed Leave No Trace’s current practices and social science. Over the past 30 years, Leave No Trace has trained millions of outdoor recreationists.
“Ultimately, sustainability furthers our livelihoods,” Taff said. “Sustainability also equals bottom line in economic terms. If we behave more sustainably, it will be more cost effective in the long run. Penn State is a leader in this sustainability effort.”
Open to all undergraduate students at Penn State's University Park campus, the course, RPTM 1: Outdoor Pursuits, does not have prerequisites. Students can earn 1.5 general health and wellness (GHW) credits from the course. Leave No Trace Level 1 certification is not required to sign up for the course.
Students interested in signing up for the Leave No Trace Level 2 certification course should consult with their academic adviser. To enroll in RPTM 1: Outdoor Pursuits, visit LionPath.