In an attempt to combat the rise in summer visitor impacts in Laguna Beach, Visit Laguna has “reaffirmed its commitment” to protect the local environment, according to a recent release from the visitors’ bureau.
Visit Laguna’s partnership with the Leave No Trace Center of Outdoor Ethics, which began in 2022, aims to “empower residents, visitors and local stakeholders to minimize their impact on the natural resources, ensuring sustainable enjoyment for generations to come.”
The partnership between Visit Laguna and Leave No Trace developed six core principles: Know Before You Go; Stick to Trails and Sand; Dispose of Trash Properly; Leave It as You Find It; Respect Wildlife and Sealife and Be Considerate of Others on Beaches and Trails.
“Embracing Leave No Trace principles is pivotal in safeguarding Laguna Beach’s pristine seven miles of coastline and breathtaking canyons,” said Rachel O’Neill-Cusey, CEO and president of Visit Laguna Beach. “These guidelines serve as a collective commitment to educate visitors that when they visit Laguna Beach, they need to care for the environment and leave the area better than they found it.”
The statement, released on Monday, July 29, comes after repeated complaints from residents about summer visitor impacts, from traffic congestion to beach litter, emerged at city council meetings this July, with some residents saying Visit Laguna is to blame for the influx.
To combat this, Visit Laguna Beach and Leave No Trace have also produced a new online guide, available at lnt.org, educating visitors on how to protect and respect Laguna’s beaches, coves and tide pools.
To further support the Leave No Trace Partnership, Visit Laguna Beach said it will collaborate with The Ranch at Laguna Beach to present “Protect & Conserve: Laguna Beach’s Marine and Wilderness Preserves” at the upcoming Leave No Trace Global Summit in Colorado this October. Kurt Bjorkman, vice chair of Visit Laguna Beach and chief operating officer of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, will present how the resort is a leader in regenerative and sustainable tourism in the hospitality industry.
The inaugural Leave No Trace Global Summit aims to unite leaders, researchers, advocates and educators who advocate for responsible outdoor recreation.
For more information about the Leave No Trace program and other Laguna Beach initiatives, visit visitlagunabeach.com.
