Chapada Diamantina hosts the first Leave No Trace class in the Northeast

Gear Tips has just reached another milestone with the Programa CAPACITAR: the first Leave No Trace – Level 1 Instructor training in Brazil’s Northeast region. The course was held in Chapada Diamantina, the main natural attraction in the state of Bahia, and trained local guides.

For Mayara Castro, one of the course instructors and responsible for client services at the tourism operator Chapada Trekking, conducting the class was a great source of pride. “Our region is still very overlooked in the outdoor world. The Northeast has incredible potential for mountaineering. We have some of the most iconic trails in Brazil, like the trekking in Vale do Pati — a stunning region with wonderful people.”

The instructor emphasizes that Chapada Diamantina National Park has been experiencing a significant increase in visitors, especially after the pandemic — which makes the dissemination of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles even more essential for preserving the area. “It is increasingly important to talk about minimum impact practices so that tourism can continue to develop sustainably. We feel the responsibility to deepen our understanding of the Leave No Trace principles and apply this knowledge in our daily lives, with our clients, and in the communities where we operate,” says Mayara.

Dmitri from Igatu, also a Leave No Trace instructor and founder/guide at Chapada Trekking, says that the rising popularity of the destination has brought in new professionals, but many still lack awareness of minimum impact practices. “The park has 54 entry points but no official gatehouse, which leads to some irregularities. Guides and residents are generally very conscious about waste, but many newcomers to the market are unfamiliar with the concept and end up adopting bad habits, such as brushing their teeth or washing dishes with soap in the river.”

The decentralization of Leave No Trace knowledge — traditionally concentrated in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais — is a key issue highlighted by instructor Douglas Leal. “We brought knowledge to a region of immense natural activity in Brazil. The Northeast, and especially Chapada Diamantina, is full of incredible attractions and supports many professionals. By promoting Leave No Trace and other courses in the region, we expand our mission of training people to engage in outdoor activities with quality and responsibility.”

Word of mouth and new local opportunities

The instructors’ in-depth knowledge of the Chapada Diamantina region was essential for the success of the course — both to make guides feel at ease and to motivate them to share the Leave No Trace content within their communities.

“In Chapada Diamantina, practically all guides are locals. Therefore, it was essential to adapt the content to the local context — which we were able to do very well because of our in-depth knowledge of the region. We presented the Leave No Trace concept with clear and inclusive communication. The participants were very pleased to be part of the first group,” says Douglas.

Mayara reports that, after the course, the guides are already encouraging others to participate. “I felt a strong sense of commitment from them. The methodology engaged the students in a collective dynamic, and everyone came out stronger as individuals and professionals. After being introduced to the topic, they started encouraging other professionals, which is already generating new demand.”

According to Dmitri, conversations with local guide associations have already begun to organize new classes.

The Leave No Trace – Level 1 Instructor course, according to Mayara, had a transformative impact on the outdoor community of Chapada Diamantina, a region rich in both nature and people. “We can only thank Gear Tips for the support and materials provided. Passionate people who are willing to make things happen have the power to positively impact everyone who loves being in nature,” Mayara celebrates.

Gear Tips thanks everyone involved for their engagement and for the opportunity to spread the Leave No Trace principles across Brazil!

This post is also available in: Português (Portuguese (Brazil)) Español (Spanish)