Disclosed herein is an improved marking material, consisting essentially of food quality colorant (such as food coloring), and a carrier (such as water, or vegetable oil or canola oil). A method for using this material for the marking of environmental locations is also disclosed. In one form the material also comprises a propellant, all contained within a pressurized aerosol canister. The aerosol canister embodiment having a valve assembly connected to an actuator and aperture for selectively releasing the marking material. In another form, a pump-style spray bottle is utilized, and in another form a larger fluid container, pump and spray-wand type dispersal unit such as the devices commonly used in lawn and garden care, or equivalent apparatus may be utilized. In these forms, the material may consist of water-based food coloring and/or oil-based food coloring and vegetable oil depending on whether the application is dry surface or snow.
