The Environmental Impact of Cairn Making
Cairn, which is the Scottish Gaelic for stone man, can conjure up images of faith and motivation, of the spiritual journey. In the backcountry, making cairns is a popular trend, and it’s easy to understand why people feel attracted to these cute little stones that are shaped like children’s building blocks. A hiker with aching shoulders and black insects buzzing around her ears will try to pick a stone that is the perfect combination of flatness, tilt, width and depth. After a few missed opportunities (one too big, one too small), a purist will choose the stone which is perfect to fit. The second layer of the Cairn is now complete.
However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that cairn making can have a negative environmental impact, especially when done close to water sources. When rocks are removed from the edge of an ocean, a lake or pond, they disturb the ecosystem and destroy the microorganisms’ habitats that support the entire food-chain. They can be removed from the edges of a pond or lake due to erosion. They can end up in places where they could inflict harm on humans or wildlife.
Cairn construction should be avoided in areas that contain rare or endangered mammals, reptiles amphibians, plants, or other species, or where the moisture is locked under the rocks. If you build the cairn on private property it could be in violation of the laws of the state and federal government that protect the natural resources of the land and may result in fines or even a detention.