Leave it be: don't destroy your campsite
Posted BY Ian under camping-advice
Leave no trace finds no better meaning than in terms of your campsite. You should leave this as you found it or, where you arrived to find it in a poor state, better than you found it.
Three simple concepts apply:
Do not change the site for your needs
The habit of digging drainage ditches around tents is highly destructive and unnecessary if you choose a good site to pitch your tent in the first place. If you do have concerns about water-logging then better to spend a little more time looking around for somewhere else.
If you plan on having a fire (and stoves are a better option all round) then try to use facilities provided or an existing site rather than causing a new ugly scar. You can avoid a scar by lifting the turf and replacing it later; but not too much later. Turf will dry out quickly unless cared for.
There should never be any need to hack down trees or branches to construct shelters, seats, tables and the like. Again, choosing a good site should eliminate the need. If you know you want these comforts then take them with you.
Avoid damage to living things
You shouldn't need to use trees or other vegetation to support your tent or other shelters. If you must, then at least protect the bark by wrapping cloth around before tying off. Hammering nails into trees to hang hammocks is just rude.
Leave flowers and other wild plants to grow. You probably won't know how fragile their existence is or not. Learn to enjoy plants in other ways. Perhaps take photos or make sketches.
Animals, including all bugs should be left alone too. The only possible exception being the biting ones; we can justify that on the basis that they started the fight!
Leave features and objects well alone
Fences and gates are essential to the orderly function of farms and are expensive to repair. They are not there as toys and should be treated with respect by old and young alike.
Natural objects and artifacts should not be taken away. If they are of interest to you then they will be to future campers too. Take a photo in situ for the memory and then walk on to your next discovery.