When we discuss ethics in natural environments, we often face the challenge of communicating best practices without sounding authoritarian. How can we guide someone without simply “scolding” them? How can we encourage respect for nature in an empathetic and effective way?
One of the most valuable tools for this is the Authority of the Resource, an approach developed for educators, guides, and professionals working in outdoor activities.
What is the Authority of the Resource?
The Authority of the Resource is a communication technique created by George Wallace, an educator at Outward Bound, and widely promoted by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The idea is simple and powerful: instead of imposing rules or threatening punishments, the communication is based on the natural resources we want to protect.
In other words, it is the environment itself – the trails, animals, rivers, and ecosystems – that “speaks”. The role of the educator is to translate the impacts of an action and help the visitor understand why certain practices are inappropriate, creating empathy and reflection.
Instead of saying, “you’re not allowed to do this,” we say: “this harms the area because of this reason.”
Illustrative image generated by artificial intelligence
Moaci Judson, coordinator of the CAPACITAR Program at Gear Tips and instructor of the Leave No Trace course, explains that the technique offers a path for outdoor professionals to intervene in a situation appropriately, stopping an action accessibly and effectively. “When you approach someone in an imposing way, they are unlikely to listen to or respect you. When we use this technique, it’s the natural resource itself that dictates what is acceptable – it’s not the park ranger, but the plant, the animal, nature. Therefore, this technique can be applied anywhere; you don’t need regulation to intervene.”
Why use the Authority of the Resource?
- Reduces resistance: an empathetic and evidence-based approach avoids conflict and defensive attitudes.
- Promotes real understanding: when the visitor understands the impact of their action, behavior change tends to be more lasting.
- Encourages ethical ownership: by understanding the “why” behind a practice, the person begins to self-regulate.
Thais Moreno, psychologist and instructor of the Leave No Trace course at Gear Tips, emphasizes that the tool is important because it’s not always easy to communicate our established values and information to others in a constructive way. “Usually, we aren’t raised with these communication skills. An assertive approach requires self-awareness and empathy for the other person, which we’re often not taught.”
The 4 most common impact profiles, according to Wallace:
According to Wallace’s research, most people who cause negative impacts do so because they are:
- Uninformed
- Inexperienced
- Inattentive
- Without the intention to cause harm
Therefore, the impact does not come from bad intent but from a lack of knowledge, practice, or attention. That’s precisely why resource-based education – rather than punishment – is so effective. Most people want to do the right thing if they know how and understand why.
According to Thais, the Authority of the Resource opens pathways for people to reflect on long-standing habits they’ve inherited from other contexts. With this approach, which seeks understanding rather than confrontation, people feel welcomed where they are.
“A person who carves the initials of their girlfriend into a tree, for example, usually does it because it holds symbolic meaning for them. So, if you come at them with confrontation, the only thing you’ll get in return is confrontation. But if you approach them with understanding – putting yourself in their place or that of someone who has done the same – they’ll be more receptive to the information.”
Steps of the Authority of the Resource technique
- Start with informal conversation: Establish a friendly connection. Example: “Beautiful day, isn’t it? Is this your first time in the park?”
- Objectively describe the observed behavior: “I noticed that a coati picked up a sandwich that was on the ground.”
- Explain the consequences of that behavior: “When coatis get used to human food, they can become aggressive and lose their natural foraging skills. This can be harmful to them and dangerous for visitors.”
Offer an alternative or desired behavior: “To help keep the coatis healthy and safe, it’s important not to feed them and to properly dispose of food scraps.”
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Practical example:
Imagine you’re in a protected area and see someone feeding wild animals, like coatis or capuchin monkeys. You could say:
Traditional approach (personal authority): “You can’t feed the animals. That’s against the rules.”
Authority of the Resource approach: “Did you know that when we feed wild animals, it can change their behavior and make them dependent on humans? Many start approaching visitors looking for food, which can be dangerous for both them and people. The best way to help is to keep nature wild.”
Notice how the second approach avoids confrontation, educates, and connects the person to the cause.
Other examples:
This approach can be used in many situations: suggesting where to set up tents, talking about firewood collection, trail use, waste disposal, and more. For example:
Instead of saying: “Don’t walk in this field.” Say: “This field has young plants and unstable soil. Walking here can cause erosion and hinder vegetation recovery.”
Instead of saying: “Use a stove; don’t build a fire!” Say: “In this area, there’s very little firewood, and campfires can damage the soil and deplete the few available nutrients. Using a stove helps keep the ecosystem balanced.”
Illustrative image generated by artificial intelligence
Where is this taught?
This approach is one of the tools taught in the Leave No Trace – Instructor Level 1 Course, offered through the CAPACITAR Program, a Gear Tips initiative that trains professionals in ethics and sustainability for the outdoor market.
During the course, participants engage in practical situations and learn how to:
- Approach visitors constructively and educationally.
- Identify environmental impacts and suggest alternatives.
- Lead talks and workshops based on the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
By the end of the course, participants become Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructors, capable of sharing these teachings within their communities or professional work.
“This technique is very well received in the course because one of the main concerns people have is how to approach others who are doing something wrong. We show that we don’t need to come in aggressively,” explains Moaci.
Why does this matter?
Because changing attitudes starts with how we communicate. By adopting the Authority of the resource, we build bridges between people and nature. We trade imposition for empathy. Rules for reason. Conflict for connection.
References
- WALLACE, George N. Law enforcement and the “Authority of the Resource”. Legacy, v. 1, n. 2, p. 4–9, 1990.
- WALLACE, George N.; GAUDRY, C. James. An evaluation of the “Authority of the Resource” interpretive technique by rangers in eight wilderness/backcountry areas. Journal of Interpretation Research, v. 7, n. 1, p. 43–68, 2002.
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