The good folks at Arches National Park in Utah decided to celebrate World Nature Conservation Day with a simple message for their 1.5 million annual visitors to help maintain their pristine landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world: “Don’t Bust The Crust!”
By crust they mean the biological soil crust that can be found throughout the park which is actually a thriving community of small organisms like cyanobacteria, green algae, fungi, lichens, and mosses:
“Although the biological soil crust might just look like rough, bumpy sand, it plays an important role the ecosystem. It enriches the soil with nutrients like nitrogen, helps the soil retain moisture, and gives the plants a solid surface for their roots.” -Arches National Park
To contribute to protecting the biological soil crust Arches asks visitors to remember their simple rhyme “Don’t Bust The Crust”:
“Simply by not walking on the soil crust, we can conserve this special community of organisms that supports the desert in so many ways. Like the trail signs say, your steps do matter, so make sure you stay on the established trails throughout the park.”
It incredibly simple to help conservation efforts at Arches, just watch where you step!
Arches National Park: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Concentrating your activity on non-vegetated durable surfaces (e.g. a trail, rock, a drainage path, or pavement) spares vegetation, sand dunes, and soil crust from damage. These features contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem.
- Don’t walk through desert puddles, or potholes, whether they are wet or dry. They are home to sensitive living organisms.
- Whether in a campground or in the backcountry, make sure to set up camp in designated locations.
