If someone encounters trouble, be willing to stop and offer your assistance. As canoeists, we must cherish our water resources and their environments. One of the main attractions of a stream is its natural undisturbed setting. Canoeists must respect rivers and lakes, private landowners and the rights of other to perceive the resource in its natural beauty. Private property should be entered only after permission has been received, and trespassing should be strictly avoided.
Litter is a major problem along our waterways.
Canoeists should take along a waterproof garbage bag and remove all refuse for proper disposal. An environmentally conscious canoeist will not only take out the litter he has brought in, but will pick up after others. Community groups, clubs, school classes, organizations or other groups of environmentally concerned citizens could form stream clean-up weekends for large scale litter removal. Nothing disturbs the aesthetic beauty of a canoe trip more than an abandoned auto, refrigerator or tires in the water. With minimal effort from all users, the waters of Indiana can retain their natural beauty indefinitely.