Wildlife and Wilderness Protection
- Lilith Erlenbusch
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Buddy’s Commitment to Supporting the Wilderness
At Buddy, we have a deep love and respect for the wild. In our daily hikes with dogs, we witness the breathtaking beauty of nature, its delicate balance, and the challenges it faces. Every season brings awe-inspiring changes, and we develop special connections with the landscapes, from discovering new plants to befriending familiar trees.
When I founded Buddy, one of my core missions was to be a strong advocate for dogs. They rely on us to ensure their well-being, as they cannot speak for themselves. Over time, I have realized that the same advocacy is needed for our forests, rivers, lakes, and wildlife—especially as federal funding for environmental protection shifts. This raises an important question: How can we, as individuals and as a business, give back to the wilderness that we benefit from every day?
We acknowledge that our presence in nature impacts the environment. As outdoor enthusiasts, it is our responsibility to minimize this impact and live in harmony with nature. Here are some simple yet effective ways we can all contribute:
1. Pick Up Dog Waste
Always carry poop bags when hiking and properly dispose of waste. Avoid leaving filled bags on the trail to pick up later. Using a dry bag for waste can make carrying it more manageable. Some common misconceptions include:
"Isn’t dog poop natural?" While it may seem harmless, dog waste can introduce harmful bacteria into the ecosystem and disrupt natural nutrient cycles.
"Aren’t poop bags worse for the environment?" While plastic waste is a concern, biodegradable options are available, and the impact of uncollected dog waste is far greater.
To help with this effort, we provide three Buddy Poop Containers for public use and regularly maintain them. Additionally, we participate in community clean-up initiatives, such as Truckee Clean-Up Day, to help keep our trails waste-free.
Did you know > One gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which can contaminate our waterways and cause illnesses in humans. Dogs are a very significant host of bacteria that is harmful to humans.
2. Minimize Wildlife Disruption
Dogs, despite their instincts, are not part of the natural ecosystem. Their presence can disturb wildlife, particularly during sensitive breeding seasons in spring and fall. While it may seem harmless for dogs to chase geese or squirrels, this causes stress to wildlife and disrupts their natural behaviors.
What you can do to reduce this impact:
Adjust your hiking locations based on the season.
Ensure your dog is under reliable voice control.
Leash your dog if you are unsure if a situation is safe.
In our dog pack outings all dogs need to be under voice control. We do offer recall training programs bookable in the portal and online training resources for recall for free. https://www.buddydogcare.com/blog/search/recall
3. Stay Informed on Regulations
Before heading to a new trail, familiarize yourself with local leash laws and dog regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Some tips include:
Using a long leash to give your dog a sense of freedom while maintaining control.
Visiting a dog park before a hike to allow your dog to release excess energy.
4. Give Back to Organizations that Preserve our Land & Wildlife
By working together and practicing responsible outdoor habits, we can help protect the wilderness that brings us so much joy. Let’s all do our part to preserve and respect nature for future generations.
Truckee Dog Regulations
Understanding and respecting local regulations helps preserve our shared outdoor spaces:
General Leash Law: Dogs must be under immediate voice and visual control or on a leash.
Truckee Regional Park (May–October): A strict leash law is in place.
Tahoe Donner: Dogs must be leashed in common areas.
U.S. Forest Service: Leash laws follow county regulations.
Placer County: Dogs must be leashed unless on private property or in a designated off-leash area.
Nevada County: Leashes must be no longer than six feet unless in a designated off-leash area.
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