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.
Signing Ceremony Celebrates Fish Hatchery Partnership
Hiawatha collaborates with FWS to protect forest streams that serve hatcheries
Cooperative Research: Chequamegon-Nicolet and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
The effects of logging on understory plants is studied
Collaboration Helps Boaters on Hiawatha
Road and launch repairs cure erosion problems
State Partnership Promotes Motorized Trail Restoration and Improvement
Funds provided by State of Michigan are critical to OHV recreation on forest lands. Seasonal employees and interns are given opportunities to apply classroom theory to on-the-ground projects.
Brook Trout Benefit from Road Decommissioning
Removing an un-needed road in the Monongahela National Forest reduces sedimentation to a native brook trout stream.
Christmas Trees Auctioned to Support Local Food Pantry
Hoosier NF employees decorated a tree for the Bedford Christmas Fantasia, a primary fundraiser for the local food pantry.
Volunteers Join Forces with the Shawnee
National Forest to Accomplish Trail Projects
Chippewa Replaces Crane Creek Bridge
After several years of bridge activity being quiet on the Chippewa, the engineering team took a significant step forward this year with the replacement of the Crane Creek bridge.
Partnership Nets Forest Service 9,642 Acres, Rocky Fork Tract
On December 15, 2008 The Conservation Fund and the Forest service, USDA purchased 9,624 acres in the Southern Appalachian Mountain of NE Tennessee.
Early Detection and Rapid Response
Shawnee National Forest early response at work.
Millstone Bluff Volunteer Day a Success
Trail 440 gets some tread improvements.
Small Contracting 101: Working with the Forest Service
Small businesses have opportunities to provide services to the Forest Service, but the process can be daunting. The Monongahela offered a workshop to help overcome that hurdle.
The Art and Science of Building Wetlands
Participants from 15 federal and state agencies, universities, and private groups gathered on the Monongahela to learn the fine points of wetlands construction.
Chippewa and Leech Lake: Working Together for a Cleaner Environment
The work of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe / Chippewa National Forest Dumpsite Clean Up Group is an outstanding example of positive impact on a cleaner environment.
Hunters with Disabilities Have Opportunities in Monongahela National Forest
A partnership between the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Forest Service opens roads for hunters with disabilities.
Beware!! High Pressure Pipelines
Natural gas industry representatives presented tips on safety around pipelines for Monongahela National Forest employees.
Questions About Oil and Gas Leasing? We Have Answers
With the rise in interest in energy development, the Monongahela found a way to more efficiently share development information with interested people.
Volunteers Reroute Degraded Section of North Country National Scenic Trail
Material and labor provided by volunteers successfully rerouted an unsustainable portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Healthier Streams Resulting from North Country Trail Association/Forest Service Collaboration
Mountain biking and horse riding on steep, sandy slopes led to severe stream sedimentation. Geotextiles and geocell materials stabilized stream crossings where resource damage was intense.
Chippewa and Leech Lake Join Together on Day Labor Program
In October of 2008, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest signed a participating agreement to work together on the Band's new temporary employment program.
Milwaukee's Juneau Park Native Plant & Pollinator Garden
The Eastern Region has partnered with Milwaukee County Parks to create a pollinator & native plant garden in downtown Milwaukee.
Protecting Young Trees from Hungry Deer
Construction of deer exclosures on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF increase seedling survival rates.
Understanding and Conserving Appalachian Jacob's Ladder
An administrative study seeks answers about a unique, sensitive plant species.
Hoosier National Forest Remodels Front Office
The visitor area of the Hoosier National Forest has a new friendlier look and the ENFIA outlet has an expanded sales area.
Forest Service Green in a Sea of FFA Blue
The Hoosier, Mark Twain, Shawnee, and Wayne National Forests participate in the 81st FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis.
Wetland Expansion in Indiana Meets Many Goals
Working together, several partners expanded a wetland on the Hoosier to provided multiple benefits.
Allegheny National Forest Receives Friend of the Trail Award
Talks about the award given the ANF by the North Country Trail Association for its continued support in maintaining the trail.
Cooperative Effort Restores Walleye Fishery in Brevoort Lake
Record walleye production follows cormorant control on Hiawatha
Eagle Scout Project Constructs Trout Spawning Habitat
Local conservation group funds project on Hiawatha National Forest
Guest Scientist Visits the Huron-Manistee National Forests
Hydro-Geology Professor Dr. Paul Doss was a guest scientist on the Forests thanks to a partnership agreement with the Geologic Society of America.
Certified Weed Management Area formalized for the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Newly formed certified weed management area for the Hiawatha National Forest within Alger, Delta, Marquette and Schoolcraft Counties of Michigan pledge to combat invasive species.
Birds of a Feather
Diverse partners restore a landscape across boundaries.
Hiawatha NF expands pollinator garden through FY08 native plant funding
The Rapid River District office native plant garden doubled in size due to funding provided from a native plant program in FY08.
Monitoring Wetland Restoration on the Wayne National Forest
Surveys conclude Wayne's wetlands are providing excellent habitat for wildlife and plants.
Forest Presents Certificate to the American Land Conservancy
The boat ramp and shoreline provides access to two major waterways.
Girl Scouts Converge on Indianapolis
Hoosier National Forest employees support Forest Service booth at 51st convention of Girl Scouts of America.
HNF Volunteer Steve Baker established Amerorchis monitoring station
In order to begining monitoring impacts to one of our rarest orchids, volunteer Steve Baker, established a monitoring station including mapping and counts of the rare Amerorchis.
Chequamegon-Nicolet co-hosts Ecological Forestry Workshop
Learning how to apply the concepts of Ecological Forestry to sustainable forest management
New Arrivals on the Chippewa - American Elms!
In 2007, the Chippewa National Forest (CNF) and the Northern Research Station (NRS) initiated a project to restore the American elm to the Forest's landscape.
Chippewa Gets Kids out on the Night Trail
Chippewa celebrates 1st Annual Howl-O-Ween Event at Shingobee Hills Recreation Area.
Preserving The Past for Future Generations
Partnership looks at ways to preserve CCC camp that is on privately owned land.
Civilian Conservation Corps Kids Camp a Success on the Allegheny
Kids step back in time to explore and understand the life of a CCC enrollee.
Saving a Snowy Owl and Sharing the Experience
Close call for a Snowy Owl, means local area kids get an up-close opportunity to learn more about owls and the Ottawa National Forest.
Kids in the Woods on the Hiawatha
Partnership brings hundreds of youth on weekly jaunts into Forest all summer long
Shawnee NF Supervisor Receives Rise to the Future Award
National Award presented in ceremony on October 22, 2008.
Replacement of the Nahma Highway Bridge
New bridge protects resources while old bridge is re-used through partnership on Hiawatha
FFA Students Compete for National Championship in Forestry Event
As part of the national convention, forestry teams from each state compete in a competitive event to test their knowledge of forestry skills. Hoosier NF employees assist with the competition.
Volunteers Help Maintain Historic Cemeteries in Passport in Time Project
The "Remember Me As You Pass By" PIT projects draw volunteers from across the US.
Hiawatha Campgrounds Inspire Allegiance
Couple Enjoys Lyman Lake Campsite for over Forty Years
Fire, Forests, and Fun Day Camp
The Clearwater NF hosted a week-long camp for kids to reconnect them with their environment.
Chippewa's Camp Rabideau Rises to Modern Day Challenge
Camp Rabideau rises to new challenge as Rabideau Conservation Academy and Learning Center.
Series of Successful Workshops Prove to be Popular
A series of workshops on the proper inventory, assessment, design and construction of road/stream crossings continue to attract participants from near and far.
Archaeology Field School a Success
The program exposed both high school and college students to archaeology through the excavation of a 19th century lumbering town.
Invasive Species Cooperatives - Pulling together to control invasive plants
Chequamegon-Nicolet partners with invasive species Co-ops in northern Wisconsin
Forest Responds to Storm Damage
Shawnee National Forest contributes emergency funds to help protect lives and property.
Todd Dempsey Completes Eastern Region Forester Career Intern Program
Forester completes intern program
Partnership Helps Piping Plovers on the Hiawatha National Forest
Working together with The Nature Conservancy in Michigan, the Hiawatha National Forest continues to protect and monitor piping plovers.
Repairing the Axsom Branch Trail
Work on trail in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness has amazing results.
Mussel Power!
Over 6,000 freshwater mussels safetly relocated away from heavy equipment
Job Shadowing a Forester on the Hoosier
High School student Sam Smith spends a day job shadowing Foresters Teena Ligman and Todd Dempsey.
Marsh Mud and Yesterday's Oysters
Creative construction choices minimize impacts to habitat and heritage.
Shawnee National Forest Honors Volunteers
Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, is announcing that five individuals have been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award
Volunteers Restore a CCC-era Missouri Lookout Tower Complex
Volunteers Oct. 2008 restore a CCC lookout tower complex in MO.
Ag Secretary Schafer Keynotes at Alaskan Tribal Ceremony
Ag. Secretary Schafer represents Forest Service at Tribal Re-burial ceremony for ancient tribal remains found on Tongass NF.
Agriculture Secretary Schafer Visits Tongass NF
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer took in wide-ranging stops on the Tongass in September to visit and learn about the geography, recreation, restoration and tribal relations.
Flying Trees to Restore the Au Sable River
Flying trees have become an annual sight over the Au Sable River skyline as helicopters transport trees for placement in the river.
Ride On! Popular motorized trail gets a facelift
Portion of Chequamegon-Nicolet Dead Horse Run Trail finds a new home
American Ginseng Flourishing in Wayne National Forest
The Forest is conducting American Ginseng population monitoring on the Forest and providing sampling sites for the USGS genetic mapping of ginseng populations across the eastern United States.
New Discovery Center Breaks Ground on the Chippewa
Reconstruction has begun on the new Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center in Marcell.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Efforts in Aftermath of Hurricane Ike
Recovery efforts of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Texas following Hurricane Ike
Celebrating 10 Years of Collaboration
GLIFWC member tribes and the USDA Forest Service commemorated the tenth-year anniversary of the signing of the MOU for tribal-FS relations on NF lands within ceded territories.
Youth Conservation Corps: Challenging Youth…Changing Perspectives on the Superior National Forest
During the summer of 2008, six young people from the local community made a difference on the Forest.
New Visitor Information/Interpretive Center
New visitor information and interpretive area provides example of the Forest Service teaming up with numerous partners to produce an outstanding result.
Gunflint Green Up Accomplishes Great Things
One year after the Ham Lake fire burned more than 75,000 acres in northeast Minnesota and in Canada, the local community banded together with the Forest Service to organize a tree planting event.
Come for Lunch at Lake Vermilion Shore Sites
The Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion and LaCroix Ranger District have worked together to develop day use facilities for boaters on Lake Vermilion.
Land That Somebody Wanted
The Hoosier National Forest Lands team helps a family research their ancestor's ownership of land now owned by the government.
Kawishiwi Ranger District Goes Green
The newly completed Kawishiwi Ranger District office on the Superior National Forest involved many partnerships and creative solutions to incorporate
Forest Opens First Wheelchair Accessible Portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont
The Green Mountain National Forest, Green Mountain Club and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy opened the first universal accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont.
100 Years 100 Stories from the Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa submits its 100th success story as it celebrates 100 years.
Being Neighborly
Shawnee National Forest hosted a tailgate luncheon to meet employees from sister agencies.
Chippewa's Ruby Lake Camp = More Kids in the Woods!
Deep within the Chippewa National Forest in the rolling hills and clear lakes of the Deer River District is the perfect getaway for a large group.
Fisheries Technicians Design Waterways to Protect Fish
Caring for the land, and water, where animals make their home is something wildlife biologists on the Green Mountain National Forest take seriously.
Chippewa Hosts North American Fishing Show
North American Fishing Show films on the Chippewa during our centennial year.
Ottawa Employees Participate in the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative
CJ Sullivan students work with Ottawa employees to perform plot studies on the Baraga Plains, learning about Jack pine ecosystems and management of different ecosystems.
Employer of Choice Program
The Shawnee National Forest is reaching out to community colleges to prepare for the future.
Mingo Job Corps' First Interagency Firefighing Mobilization Successful
First interagency approach to mobilizing Mingo Job Corps students to learn firefighting was a success.
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.
Smokey Bear a Head Start Hit
On Tuesday, August 26, 2008, the Supervisor's Office of the Shawnee National Forest was the site for community outreach with Head Start.
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
Ottawa Celebrates Acquisition of Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness In-holding
The Ottawa NF acquired nearly 2,000 acres of land within the SRG Wilderness area through cooperative efforts of TPL and We Energies.
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