Leave No Trace has selected 12 locations nationwide, including Lake Lanier, for its 2026 Spotlight program, an initiative aimed at protecting natural areas by delivering direct assistance to local communities and land managers.
As visitation continues to increase, Spotlights offer resources to protect the shared spaces we all cherish. Through multi-day, on-site education and restoration efforts, (Lake Lanier’s is coming up in September) Leave No Trace staff members partner directly with land managers and community organizations to turn awareness into action.
“Spotlights reveal the incredible power of local communities,” says Dana Watts, the Executive Director of Leave No Trace. “By bringing people together for hands-on education and conservation action, we ensure that the host communities are well equipped to protect their outdoor spaces for years to come.”
Sites are nominated by local land agencies and community groups, ensuring that each Spotlight location reflects on-the-ground needs. The 2026 sites were selected from more than 50 applications and represent a diverse range of landscapes and challenges spanning the country. These communities receive tailored education, interactive workshops, volunteer-based restoration projects, and local engagement programs designed to reduce impacts and foster long-term stewardship.
2026 Spotlight Locations:
- City of Issaquah Parks, WA – April 9-11
- San Bernardino National Forest-Big Bear Discovery Center, CA – April 30-May 2
- Stanislaus National Forest, CA – May 14-16
- King Range National Conservation Area-Lost Coast, CA – May 21-23
- City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, CO – June 5-7
- Blue Hills Reservation, MA, August 27-29
- Bradbury Mountain State Park, ME – September 3-5
- Lake Sidney Lanier, GA – September 11-13
- Ice Age Trail- Lapham Peak, WI – September 25-27
- Buffalo Bayou Park, TX – October 16-18
- Black Canyon at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV/AZ – October 29-31
- Joshua Tree National Park, CA (Postponed from 2025) – November 5-7