Success Stories
Success Stories capture many of the remarkable projects and noteworthy accomplishments in the Eastern Region. These stories are written by Forest Service employees to build awareness among our partners and members of the public.
Chippewa Hosts North American Fishing Show
North American Fishing Show films on the Chippewa during our centennial year.
Partners work with Wayne National Forest to improve wildlife habitat
Ruffed Grouse Society partners with Wayne National Forest to treat invasive species, reduce hazardous fuels and improve Regional Forester Sensitive Species habitat in one project
Native Plant restoration project at Grand Island NRA
HNF botanical staff and volunteers began a 5 year native plant restoration project on Grand Island NRA. The focus is to re-introduce native plants back into the landscape via conservation education.
Celebrating the Arts on the Chippewa
Each year, the Norway Beach Visitor Center has brought in artists to highlight the natural and cultural resources of the area.
Washington Office Conservation Education Program Connects D.C. Youth With Nature
Reinvigorating the Anacostia National Park Urban Tree House Program
The Conservation Education Staff Discovers a Bright New Star
The WO's CE Program offers Job Corps student an opportunity for advancement.
Lincoln and Douglas Return to Jonesboro
Sesquicentennial celebration planned for September
Interpretive Program Goes To The Bats
Hoosier employees teach the public about bats.
Chippewa's Shingobee Recreation Area Celebrates National Trails Days
Saturday, June 7th, 25 volunteers gathered at the Chippewa National Forests Shingobee Recreation Area to Celebrate National Trails Day.
More Kids in the Woods
A 34-foot Montreal voyager canoe visited southern Illinois.
Allegheny NF and Partners Offer Children Fishing Experience
Allegheny National Forest, Wal-Mart, Cradle of Forestry of America and Island Run Sportsmen's Club host 17th annual Kids Fishing Derby.
Shawnee National Forest Goes Green
Riding the bus saves money.
Chippewa GIS TEAM: Web Mapping Bridges the Gap!
The Chippewa GIS Team built a web based application for employees to use to view bridge data, reports and photos.
Conservation Ed Program Successfully Trains Another Job Corps Student
The Forest Service Conservation Education (CE) program makes a positive change in the life of a Job Corps student
Hiawatha Interpretive Association Sponsors Art Workshop
Art creates tangible connections between citizens and their public lands
Slippery When Wet
South Carolina DOT teams with the Forest Service to restore a different kind of byway.
Wayne National Forest Land Purchase of 4100 acres Completed
U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy celebrate partnership in protecting 4,100 acres on the Ironton Ranger District.
Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project
Seeds project gives local youth an opportunity to accomplish critical botany tasks.
Chippewa Part of National Night Out
On August 5, Chippewa National Forest employees joined with community members from Walker Minnesota to celebrate National Night Out.
Murphysboro Work Center Work Day a Huge Success
On August 6, 2008, the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District held a work day at the Murphysboro Work Center
Partners Complete Biomass Study on Mark Twain National Forest
Collaborators Make a Trial Run At Efficiently Harvesting MO Round Wood
Arkansas Scout Still Talking About His Awesome MO Experience
More than 500 Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts June 7-14, 2008 help restore a native Missouri dolomite glade ecosystem.
Mark Twain Employee Selected Administrative Professional of the Year
Mark Twain Forest employee honored by Ripley County Chamber of Commerce.
Ohio River unites three states and three Forests in byway workshop
The USFS hosted a tri-state workshop for the Ohio River Scenic Byway with federal highway monies. For the first time, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio laid the foundations to work together in the future.
Southern Research Station Receives 2008 Wings Across the Americas Award
Studies included relationships between bat habitat use and local, stand and landscape characteristics on the Sumter National Forest.
Forest Enters Into Cooperative Fire Agreements
Shawnee National Forest has entered into cooperative fire agreements with 11 local fire departments, plus state and federal agencies to benefit lands across boundaries
Living History Encampment on the Clarion River
Living History encampment is used to encourage stewardship by users.
Eagle Scout Project a Success
Scout project completed to improve fish habitat.
School Field Trip Grants Brings Students and Teachers to Great Outdoors.
Help provide transportation field trip grants to public school districts within 100 miles of LBL.
Blackwell Job Corps Success Story: Meet Lylenel Harris
Milwaukee man calls Blackwell home
Chippewa Youth Conservation Crew Completes Summer Season
The end of the month of July marks the end of the season for five local youth conservation crew members and their leader.
Kid's Fishing Day '08
Michigan Free Fishing Day means one thing on the Huron-Manistee National Forests - Kids Fishing Day.
The Forest Service Fosters Healing with Southeast Alaska Tribes
The Forest Service Alaska Region acknowledges removal of Native traditional fish camps and smokehouses in the 1930s - 60s at a ceremony in April.
Juneau Ranger District Wilderness Rangers Develop Best Management Practices
Wilderness Rangers work with partners to create Best Management Practices for Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness in Alaska
Trail of Time Bridge Uses Local Wood
A new bridge design on the Tongass National Forest uses Alaska Yellow Cedar, which means bridge does not need chemical treatment to keep it from deteriorating in Southeast Alaska's moist climate.
Blackwell Job Corps Success Story - Meet Darren Lenore
Former Detroit student learns life lessons
Chippewa National Forest Conducts Biomass Workshop
With the increased emphasis on renewable forms of energy nationally and in Minnesota, the Chippewa conducted a workshop for its employees on biomass.
Partnership Creates Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center
Chippewa National Forest Marcell Ranger District begins transformation into the Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center.
A Beetle Returns to the Forest
The last known record of an ABB in the State of Ohio occurred in 1974 in Hocking County very near the proclamation boundary of the Wayne National Forest. Today, they're back on the Forest again.
12th Annual Kids Fishing Day at Castle Rock Ponds
Hiawatha "lures" 210 kids into the woods for fishing activities
Blackwell Job Corps Student Hired as District Information Receptionist
Blackwell student Holly Moore was hired by the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF under STEP authority
Linking Girls to the Land
WMNF archaeologists led a field school in historical archaeology as part of the Linking Girls to the Land program.
When given lemons, make lemonade!
Spruce decline epidemic benefits wildlife, reduces fire hazards, and salvages merchantable forest products.
Wildflower Foray on the Hoosier NF
Hoosier hosts 3 and helps with 1 other hike during the annual Wildflower Foray.
Reducing Environmental Impacts, One Step at a Time
Monongahela employees develop blueprint to reduce environmental impacts
Boy Scouts Service Projects Rival CCC
Approximately 685 members of the Order of the Arrow successfully completed the construction of 6six walk-in campsites at Lake Moomaw and over 8.2 miles of new trails on the James River District.
Hiawatha Hosts National Monarch Butterfly Workshop
Attendees from around the country share monarch conservation techniques
Memorial WWII interpretive panel dedicated on White Mountain National Forest
A dedication ceremony recently took place on the White Mountain National Forest to honor WWII U.S. Army Air Corps B-18A light bomber crew members.
One Man's Slash is Another Man's Treasure
Forest biomass becomes an energy source.
Unplugging Indiana Kids
The Hoosier sponsored a program to bring elementary children out to the Forest.
Federally Endangered Kirtland's Warbler observed on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
First observation of the species on the Forest in more than 70 years
Hiawatha's Soo District Clean Up Day Connects Citizens to the Hiawatha
2008 marks the 11th annual trash collection event
National Forest Foundation Grant will Help Hiawatha Wilderness
Superior Watershed Partnership will inventory, map and eradicate invasives
RUSSELL-COLBATH HOUSE PLAQUE
A plaque identifying the Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead status as a National Register of Historic Places site was recently installed.
Hiawatha Interpretive Association Supports Forest's Outreach Efforts
Group's grassroots success thanks to dedicated volunteers
Free Paint for Rabideau!
Make Rabideau Shine project receives a grant for free paint!
Chippewa Celebrates Multicultural Day 2008
Chippewa National Forest held its second annual Heritage Day
Eastern Region Provides SCEP Orientation
From discussion to implementation, 2008 SCEP students learn valuable lessons about the Forest Service and life.
New Species of Crayfish Documented on the Shawnee National Forest
Recent surveys have resulted in the documentation of new species of crayfish
National Forest Foundation Grant will Help Hiawatha Wilderness
Superior Watershed Partnership will inventory, map and eradicate invasives
Volunteer Experience Impacts Student's Career Choices
A student volunteer working on her Girl Scout Gold Award spent a summer giving interpretive programs which launched her on a career as an interpreter.
New Employee Orientation Gets Seasonals off to a Good Start
The Hoosier's annual New Employee Orientation, now in its third year, has become a popular tradition.
Changing Behavior re: dumping trash on the Ironton District
Wayne NF gets those who dumped the trash to lend a hand to clean them back up.
Chequamegon-Nicolet Partners with Others at Youth Outdoor Expo
Fifth grade students connect with the outdoors
Birds of a Feather Flock to the Hoosier
The Hoosier National Forest hosted its 6th annual International Migratory Bird Day Celebration.
Partnership Will Allow Riparian Area to Heal
Working together with Trout Unlimited, the Monongahela NF fences cattle out of a sensitive riparian area.
Wayne NF partners with Ohio DNR to inform sportsmen about aquatic invasive species
The Wayne NF and ODNR work together to educate anglers about aquatic invasive species.
Lake Vesuvius Kid's Fishing Derby Draws a Crowd
The annual fishing derby at Lake Vesuvius draws 162 kids.
Local Indian Council Honors Chippewa Employee
Chippewa National Forest employee Mitch Bouchonville is honored by the Kego Lake Local Indian Council for 10 years of service.
Enhancing Ruffed Grouse Habitat
Teaming up with partners leads to improved habitat for ruffed grouse on the Monongahela National Forest.
Diligence is Required to Control Garlic Mustard
Multi-year efforts to control garlic mustard are having a beneficial effect in the Monongahela National Forest.
Ottawa National Forest Hosts Successful Fishing Derby
Kids enjoy a day in the great outdoors at the annual Henry Lake Fishing Derby, Bessemer Ranger District, Ottawa National Forest.
Fishing for Success
Fishing derbies are a spring fixture across the Monongahela, and eagerly attended by more than 1,000 children with parents and guardians in tow.
Reconnecting kids with nature at the Glidden School Forest on the Chequamegon-Nicolet
A Wisconsin school forest continues a long conservation education history
Earth Day Partners Grow on the Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa National Forest employees were challenged to Get to Work Differently on Earth Day.
Chippewa National Forest Turns 100
Chippewa National Forest Celebrates Its Centennial
Great American Cleanup at Milwaukee's Urban Treehouse
The America's Outdoors Center and its urban partners planted 300 native prairie plants as part of National Public Lands Day.
Cove Hollow Trail Workday
Co-hosted volunteer day a success!
Cove Hollow Trail Workday
Co-hosted volunteer day a success!
Pieces of the Past
Land of Lincoln, Land of Liberty
To Bridge a Gap
The Shawnee and Wayne National Forests are represented at the 7th Annual Conference
Searching for Goshawks
Wildlife biologists and volunteers spent a cold day scrambling through rough terrain on the Monongahela NF in search of the rare northern goshawk.
Mackinaw Wilderness Parcel Added to Federal Ownership
Another Hiawatha Wilderness Gains Inholding Acres
Go Native!
A handout developed by a VISTA volunteer on the Monongahela pulls together information on native plants to encourage their use in gardens
Staying on Top of Administrative Rules and Regulations
Administrative staff on the Monongahela strive to stay abreast of rapid changes while enjoying time together at annual workshop.
Firefighters Work Across Boundaries
Firefighters from the Monongahela share skills and gain experience while helping out adjacent National Forests.
Hiawatha Gains Wilderness Parcel Through Partnership with Little Traverse Conservancy
Final piece completes ownership puzzle
Fugitive Surrenders in Monongahela NF
Forest employees joined many others in a sigh of relief when a fugitive turned himself in to authorities after being spotted in the Monongahela National Forest.
A Bridge to the Future
A new bridge greatly improves access in remote part of the Monongahela National Forest
Volunteers Plant 5,000 Red Spruce to Celebrate Earth Day
Volunteers from the Monongahela National Forest joined others in planting 5,000 red spruce seedlings in honor of Earth Day.
Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary Goes Weed Free
Rising to meet the challenge set forth by the Eastern Region to create weed free zones across the area, the Huron-Manistee National Forests have proposed to create a 72 acre weed free zone in and arou
Fire Simulation on the Huron-Manistee
The Forest Service Huron Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team held a fire simulation in cooperation with several partners.
Danger Averted in the Monongahela
New guard rail makes dangerous curve visible and much safer to travellers on a remote mountain road.
Chippewa Employees Join Curly Partnership
Two Chippewa National Forest Employees recently partnered with local agencies in a collaborative effort to eradicate the Curly Leaf Pondweed.
Chippewa NF: Boy River Partnership Completes Cycle
In April, the Chippewa National Forest's Boy River Prescribed Burn partnership completed one cycle of burning. The burning has occurred each spring for the last five years (2004-2008).
Ultimate Recycling
Ron Doyle coordinates recycling efforts at the Bedford office of the Hoosier NF. He initiated reusable bags for collecting recycled paper.
A celebration of recreation trails and historic preservation on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
A trailside kiosk tells the story of 4,000 years of Native American settlement and history at this scenic area.
Chippewa National Forest Centennial Quilt
Sixteen employees of current day Chippewa National Forest (renamed in 1928) fashioned this quilt.
Prescribed Fire Returns to Allegheny N.F.
Prescribed burns were conducted at Buzzard Swamp Management Area and Hall Barn on the Marienville R.D., Allegheny N.F., in the spring of 2008.
Prescribed burn at Mio District Office
It is not unusual to see Huron National Forest fire personnel conducting prescribed burns.
Earth Day Efforts on the Mio Ranger District
In celebration of Earth Day, twenty-five employees of the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests spent their work day involved in hands-on projects to improve the scenic beauty of
Two Northern Wisconsin lakes entirely protected
Wisconsin congressional delegation plays key role in providing funding
Stewardship Week
Shawnee National Forest participates in the 19th annual Illinois Resource Center environmental education program.
Shawnee National Forest "Green" Bags
The Forest takes another step in going
Marienville Ranger District Holds an Open House
Open House held at the Marienville Ranger District to highlight management practices for natural resource stewardship.
Saga of the Chainsaw Sisters Saloon
Partners joined with the Forest Service to work out a deal to secure and hold a key piece of property.
Detroit Urban Connections Hosts USDA Undersecretary and Regional Forester at Greenfield Village
Under Secretary Mark Rey and RF Kent Connaughton participated in an Arbor Day/Earth Day tree planting at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.
Chippewa Teams Up to Address Earthworm Invasion in the Great Lakes Region
European earthworms have been invading hardwood forests in the northern US and Canada since European settlement.
Hiawatha NF landscape analysis experiences help U.S. A.I.D. program in Republic of Niger
Eastern Region forest contributes to International Forestry program
Partners Host 5th Annual Wheelin' Sportsmen Event on Wayne NF
The rain barely dampened the enthusiasm of some 70 wheelin sportsman who came out to fish at Lake Vesuivus for the 5th Annual Wheelin Sportsman Event.
Two Trackers 4 Wheel Drive Club's Annual Earth Day Clean Up on the Baldwin/White Cloud RD
This year marked the 10 year anniversary of the Two Trackers 4 Wheel Drive Club's Annual Earth Day Clean Up.
Stewardship Contracting a Success on the Allegheny NF
Horses used in sensitive soil area to complete the Forest's first stewardship logging contract.
2008 ENVIROTHON focuses on Recreations Impacts on Natural Resources
Hoosier employee serves on Indiana's Envirothon team and takes the lead in 2008 Current Issue.
Hoosier Purchases Land for Administrative Site
The Hoosier National Forest acquires property to build a new office.
New Field Guide Targets Non-Native Invasive Species
To help spread the word about stopping NNIS, the Superior National Forest teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and REI, Inc. to produce a new field guide.
Protecting Air Quality on the Superior National Forest
The Superior National Forest addresses air quality concerns through a twofold approach: monitoring Forest conditions and working with other interests during the air quality regulatory process.
Stocking of small lake insures successful fishing experiences for everyone
A small five acre lake on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF has been a put, grow, and take lake for over 15 years.
Shawnee National Forest Volunteers Receive Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Awards
Students and organizations are recognized for their dedication to service and leadership above and beyond the requirements of academia.
Programmatic Agreement Streamlines Compliance with National Preservation Act
The Forest Service in Illinois is in the forefront developing a process to streamline the
Take a look and you might find! Botanists locate a new population of Fassett's locoweed
Federally threatened species located by seasonal botanists on the Chequamegon-Nicolet.
Beetles to Wage War on Noxious Weed
Wayne National Forest managers use a biological control to knock back a purple loosestrife invasion in the Leith Run embayment.
Ottawa National Forest Tree Planting Serves a Unique Purpose
Planting trees to prevent non-native invasive weeds spread.
Region 9 Offers All-virtual Training on NRIS Invasive Species and FACTS
For the first time, the Eastern Region held an all-virtual, week-long training/workshop on an Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) application.
Secretary of Agriculture Visits White Mountain NF
The Forest hosted Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, USFS Recreation Director Jim Bedwell, and Eastern Regional Forester Kent Connaughton.
Hiawatha's Aquatic Passages Project Improves Murphy Creek
Replacement of aging Thunder Lake Road culvert restored passage for aquatic organisms and restored river channel.
Centennial Green finds a new home on public television
Historical original musical developed as the result of a partnership with Region 9 and Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua being shown on Milwaukee Public TV stations
Chequamegon-Nicolet recipient of More Kids In The Woods funding
Funds will be used to develop Schoolyard Habitats Across Wisconsin project
Strong Winds Drive Hoxeyville Fire on the Huron-Manistee NF
The Hoxeyville Fire burned 133 acres and destroyed 2 out buildings and 2 residences.
2007 Conservation Education Intern Team Connects with Milwaukee Youth
The Regional Office Conservation Educaiton Team reached over 3000 urban youth in the summer of 2007.
Woodsy Owl Earth Day Visit
Woodsy Owl Pays an Earth Day Visit to Cumberland School in Whitefish Bay, WI
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Participate in Community Day
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl participated in Commuinity Day at Marquette University Day Care Center.
America's Outdoors Center Participates in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Sportshow
America's Outdoors (USFS, BLM, USFWS, NPS) participated in the 2008 Journal Sentinel Sportshow.
Planting of American Chestnut on the Wayne National Forest
Several partners work together to plant American Chestnuts on the Ironton District
Hiawatha Acquires 42,000 acres of Mineral Rights
Stearns Coal & Lumber Company generously donates reserved rights
Hoosier Employees Plant Trees for Earth Day
Employees plant trees and celebrate earth day by working together to restore a newly acquired field to forest land.