To be good stewards of the environment, visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast who want to take a walk on the wild side need to do a bit of advance planning. If you intend to hike while visiting Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines – not rules – were developed almost 50 years ago by various federal agencies overseeing the country's natural resources. Here's a look at the principles: First, plan ahead and prepare. Second, travel and camp on durable surfaces. Third, dispose of waste properly. Fourth, leave what you find. Fifth, minimize campfire impacts. Sixth, respect wildlife. Seventh, be considerate of other visitors. Some other these principles are pretty straight-forward; others might need a bit of explaining.