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.

Unauthorized off-trail use along a popular Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail contributed to resource damage and safety concerns on the Manistee National Forest. A State of Michigan OHV grant provided the entire funding necessary to allow the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District to mitigate these concerns using project labor consisting largely of students who "took the classroom to the field."

Over 750 feet of wooden barriers were constructed within the project area to protect the rehabilitation effort and prevent further resource damage caused by the numerous hill climbs that crisscross the trail and nearby 7 Mile Road. Nine eroded hill climbs were closed and rehabilitated; 30 check dams were constructed from native materials to slow water flow, impound displaced soils, and further deter illegal off-highway vehicular activities.

Improved signage was installed to educate trail users and emphasize that trail use is a managed activity. Native grasses and trees were planted to help stabilize the soils, deter future illegal use, and naturalize the project site.

The partnership and cooperation between the Huron-Manistee National Forests and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is critical to OHV recreation in Michigan. State grants provide funding for the materials and maintenance of our motorized trail system and also allows our agency to complete larger projects that would not be possible without such funding.

Projects like these also benefit seasonal employees on the forest.

"Student hires and interns are provided an opportunity to test classroom theory in a real world environment, as well as develop their leadership skills," said Huron-Manistee National Forests Trails Coordinator Chris Loudenslager. "For projects like this, each student participates in the planning and problem-solving process, and each takes a turn leading and completing a portion of the project."