I read that title on a sign several years ago while visiting a nature preserve and it’s stuck with me.

“Take Nothing But Pictures” is a good thing for us all to remember when we are out in nature camping, hiking, biking, boating, etc.

While it’s often tempting to bring home treasures, if everyone picked the flowers, took a rock, or put some other small and seemingly insignificant thing in their pocket there would eventually be nothing left for other people to enjoy.

And, bringing home things from nature may also inadventently cause the spread of invasive pests. For example the cool looking piece of driftwood that would look “just right” in your front yard landscaping could harbor invasive species that would then be given a new area to invade and destroy.

So, still get out to enjoy nature and all its beauty. But remember to “Take Nothing But Pictures” and to take all the pictures you want.