OnX slashes the one-year membership rate for its Backcountry navigation app and pledges 100% of net proceeds to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to promote responsible outdoor recreation.
If 2020 left one good thing to carry on into 2021 and beyond (and there may be only one), it’s Americans’ newfound love and appreciation for outdoor recreation. But with that enthusiasm comes both a learning curve and a responsibility to recreate wisely.
Enter onX Backcountry, the latest navigation and planning app from the brand that built its reputation catering to hunters and, later, overlanders. In an effort to help hikers and other trailgoers find their way while also pitching in to educate them on backcountry ethics, onX will cut prices and donate 100% of June’s online net proceeds to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
All this month, a one-year membership for onX Backcountry, ordinarily a $30 subscription, will cost $10. And once June’s totals are all tallied, onX will forward the net proceeds to the Leave No Trace nonprofit, which curates and distributes educational resources to help adventurers recreate responsibly and with minimal impact on the environment.
“As a company that encourages public land exploration, we recognize our obligation to advocate for and protect these shared resources, especially as our trails and parks see unprecedented attention. By partnering with Leave No Trace, we aim to educate our growing audience — millions of returning and new recreationists — on how they can reduce the impact they have while exploring our outdoor playgrounds,” onX vice president of marketing Chris Bate said in a statement.
onX Backcountry Discount, Leave No Trace Partnership
Through the end of June, new subscribers can visit this site to snag the 67% discount for a one-year membership and have their dollars support Leave No Trace. OnX expects the surge in outdoor recreation — which the brand noted saw a five-fold increase in camping and an 8.4% jump in hiking — to continue throughout 2021.
Building off the success of its Hunt and Off-Road offerings, onX Backcountry houses some 650,000 miles of hike- and ski-friendly trails, as well as a wealth of expert input and data on public recreation areas. This includes area descriptions, photos, slope angles, points of interest, and more.
Leave No Trace, meanwhile, houses a wealth of educational information and actionable resources to reduce the impact of outdoor recreation. From games and stats, to straightforward tutorials, the nonprofit works to improve the habits of beginners and outdoor veterans alike.
But the core of Leave No Trace centers around seven principles every adventurer should know and practice:
- Plan and Prepare: Know the skills and experience of yourself and those you’re with, and plan appropriate activities. Consider environmental factors like wildlife, weather, terrain, boundaries, regulations, and more.
- Recreate on Durable Surfaces: Stick to trails when they’re available and be mindful of the resilience and durability of surfaces when traveling off-trail.
- Waste Disposal: Use waste collection and latrine facilities when available, and educate yourself on the use of cat holes and pack-it-in, pack-it-out practices.
- Leave What You Find: Resist the urge to take artifacts or disrupt ecosystems for trophies or keepsakes.
- Minimize Campfire Impact: Know when, where, and how to build — or not build — a fire at camp.
- Respect Wildlife: Understand the appropriate distance and behavior you and your group should observe to view wildlife and mitigate human influence.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Leave it like you found it, and recreate in a manner that does not interfere with others’ enjoyment and experience.
To learn more about the onX Backcountry giveback and secure a discount one-year membership, click here.
