Ecological Impacts of Outdoor Sports
The outdoor sports world has been gaining popularity for many years, which also means the land has been experiencing more degradation from those who are unaware of their impact. This page will explain the ecological impacts of fly fishing, climbing, and skiing and snowboarding.
Ecological Impacts of Fly Fishing
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According to Rakkenes Fly Fishing & Fly Tying, there are four key principles when it comes to sustainable fly fishing: limit your fly fishing, animal welfare comes first, minimize wading, and conserve and protect nature. Although these principles are broad and can be controversial, there is value in them.
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Limit your fly fishing: This principle explains that where species are endangered, fly fishing should be avoided. Special attention should be brought to waters that do not have a sustainable fish population and an ecosystem imbalance. By limiting your catch and fly fishing in fragile areas you can protect a future fishing spot.
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Animal welfare comes first: Catch and release can be both sustainable and ethically justifiable. This can look like using barbless hooks that don't bend or break, fighting the fish firmly and determined, as well as releasing the fish while it is in the net.
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Minimize wading: Through wading in the riverbed, populations of aquatic insects like mayflies, caddis flies, and stone flies is in decline all over the world. Wading can contribute to the erosion of aquatic insect habitats. Fishing from riverbanks can be more beneficial to the landscape.
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Conserve and protect nature: As a fly fisher, it is known that the flora is crucial to the well being and reproduction for insects, animals, and thus fish. In order to protect fishing habitats it is important to leave no trace of your activities.
The Climate Impacts of Skiing and Snowboarding
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Although the environmental impacts of skiing and snowboarding may not be as evident as other sports, skiing and snowboarding can be an energy guzzling activity. In general, ski bums are known for being advocates in protecting winters and the land they recreate on. The sport itself may not be as degrading as it seems but the industry as a whole is destroying the environment it's occupants celebrate.
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According to National Geographic author Ellie Ross, winters are generally shorter by a month compared to 30 years ago. With this trend in mind, the ski industry is expected to end in the next 80 years! In order for winter sports to survive, the ski industry needs global warming to come to a halt, yet many resorts leave an enormous carbon footprint, contributing to climate change (Ross, 2021). The question is then asked, despite some resorts' efforts of going green, can skiing really be eco-friendly? Most skiers and snowboarders fly to dream destinations to ski, yet "aviation is the fastest growing contributor to global warming" (Andrews, 2019). We can hop in cars and trains and travel to these destinations, we can support resorts who use renewable energy, but the real impact occurs through political lobbying. The key question to ask in order to protect winter sports is, what climate policy does your favorite resort have? Do they have one?
Ecological Impacts of Climbing
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Climbing has left impacts on the rock and surrounding environment for upwards 50 years. ​In an expert from Patagonia, author Mailee Hung talks about the direct affects climbing can have. "Chalk splotches dot the most popular way up a climb. Tree branches inconveniently hanging over boulders one day go missing the next, if the tree doesn't disappear entirely. Ignorant climbers place bolts on scared Indigenous petroglyphs and rock formations, drag their pads over fragile desert flora or stomp across ancient grinding holes and mortars" (Hung, 2022). Hung's depiction of climbing sites is too real and common. Although it may appear that climbers are simply utilizing the rock to their physical benefit, the repercussions of non-clean climbing and lousy LNT practices may have larger impacts.