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In Da Woods

by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service The Most Precious Resource Pondering what natural resource to write about this week, I was reminded of the most important one that I encounter in the woods – people. Specifically, our local “army” of volunteers.

National Public Lands Day was celebrated last weekend and, as has often been the case, more than 20 volunteers showed up to help out. They hailed from Wakefield, Bessemer, Ironwood, Marenisco, Watersmeet, and even Land O’Lakes, and nearly everyone looked familiar. This wasn’t a one-day-a-year crowd! These folks regularly donate time year-round on a whole slew of projects that benefit the rest of us – like maintaining trails, getting rid of non-native invasives, and picking up trash in campgrounds and day use areas.

About half of Saturday’s work ‘party’ are members of the Land O’Lakes Fish & Game Club, a group that, as far as I can tell, spends as much time doing good deeds as enjoying the fruits of their labor. Many have participated in every Public Lands Day event for, at least, the past 6 years. This includes some of the guys that took on the ugly task last year of stacking 200 gross, disgusting, rotten tires in the back of a utility truck. With chores like that, for no pay, their determination and dedication speaks volumes. To all the members of this magnificent group: THANK YOU for all that you do.

Another contingent at Saturday’s weed whacking were members of the Ni-Miikanaake Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. Chapter membership is now 25 or so, with nearly everyone an active participant. How many organizations do you know where every member is a “regular”? At a recent Chapter meeting, I had the privilege of recognizing several of them for remarkable devotion. I hope you will join me in thanking/hugging Chapter President Dick Swanson and members Norm Bishop, Zach Braunel, Morgan Grasso, Jason Hofstede, Char Jordan, Ric Olson, Gordy Schelde, and Curt Slabaugh, Along with their Chapter comrades, these folks have donated a thousand hours in each of the past two years (which is as long as the Chapter has existed!). Nelda Ikenberry was another long-term, outstanding volunteer at the Harbor on Saturday. She gets special mention for her daily devotion to the Harbor area. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t receive an email from Nelda, advising me or other District employees on the status of a dozen or so unwelcome weed species, trail conditions, any building concerns, or some other facet of Black River life. Although we are not always able to respond in the time or manner that I (and Nelda) would like, I admire her for her optimism and perseverance. She writes and whacks weeds because she cares. Not just on Public Lands Day, but all year long. Nelda makes it easy for me to stay focused on “caring for the land and serving the people.” You’re a gem, Nelda. Thank you. Even Forest Service employees donated their time. Forest Botanist and Head Weed Killer Ian Shackleford volunteers many, many hours each year, leading events like National Public Lands Day, botany hikes, and wars on weeds – a true public servant. Finally, it’s long past time that I should introduce you to a quiet, meticulous, gentle man: Ken Jeffries. If you’ve driven east on US 2 or M-28 this summer, you’ve probably seen his handiwork, even though you probably never saw him. Out of the blue, Jeffries approached the Forest Service about adopting those two huge Ottawa National Forest “portal” signs. He repaired them, repainted them, and has been mowing the grass around them so the rest of us can read them. Maintenance of the signs used to be the responsibility of our Senior Citizen Employment Program workers but since the program was eliminated from the Forest Service a few years ago, much of the work has gone un-done. Mr. Jeffries not only noticed the decline in their care, he offered to help. It was hard for me not to like him immensely the minute I met him (ok, perhaps the Purdue banner hanging on his deck was a factor…). I learned he and his wife Joyce moved to the North Woods about 8 years ago, for the easy living and endless outdoor opportunities. So when our portal sign was no longer as welcoming as it should be, he called. I think of Mr. Jeffries every time I drive past one of “his” signs, with a tear in my eye and a smile. “Thank You, Ken” is hardly enough. For More Information This article is certainly NOT intended as a recruiting tool. But if you feel so inspired, I would love to hear from you. We’ve got all kinds of needs, from data entry to office filing to trail work to bridge design to…well, just about everything. Indoors or outdoors, a day a year or a day a week - we would be so grateful. Even if we could, I’m glad this agency doesn’t do everything with paid staff. If we did, I wouldn’t have the chance to work alongside the folks mentioned above. They are the best of us and my life is much richer for knowing them. Seems I learn something every day I spend with them.   National Forest volunteers are special people – our most precious resource.