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.
2009 Envirothon focuses on Biodiversity and Saving Species
Indiana teams choose a species and develop a plan to restore habitat and bring back an endangered or extirpated species.
Indiana University Students develop Marketing Plans
Students help CWMA develop marketing plan, logo, and work together on communication plan for public.
Chippewa NF Works Together for the American Elm
Thirty-three people spent the morning of April 29th planting young American Elms on a specially prepared site near Spring Lake.
Sixth Annual Wheelin' Sportsmen Event was Better than Ever
Fishing event for individuals with physical and mental challenges proves to be a solid success on the Wayne National Forest.
Shawnee National Forest Volunteer Corps
March is a busy month for volunteers.
Chippewa NF Creates Native Plant Garden
The Blackduck Ranger District on the Chippewa NF created a native plant pollinator garden. The garden will be used as an educational tool.
Oregon National Forest Project Competes for Internet Votes Thanks To National Forest Foundation
National Forest Foundation has entered Whychus Creek Trails Project in a competition for a $50,000 grant from Redwood Creek Wines and Planet Green, Greater Outdoors Project
American Chestnut Trees Planted on National Forest Reclaimed Mine Lands
Special American chestnut seedlings developed by US Forest Service Research are planted on the Wayne with hopes for better survival, growth and development of seedlings.
Learning a new career, one circuit at a time
Blackwell Job Corps students gain hands-on experience with renovations at what will be the new CNNF Supervisor's office
Eleven Complete Basic Wildland Firefighter Training
The Shawnee National Forest sponsored training at the Golconda Job Corps Center.
Fuels Reduction in Pictures: Conditions, Action, Results!
Central Oregon Round Butte ARRA project -- in Pictures!
Contractor's Workshop a Success
Approximately 20 attended workshop on the Shawnee National Forest.
Already Putting More People to Work in Central Oregon's Crooked River National Grassland
ARRA creates jobs; protects homes in Central Oregon
Spotlight on Chippewa NF PIT Volunteers
Chippewa National Forest PIT volunteers Dick and June Axelson are listed on the PIT honor roll for volunteering over 3000 hours.
Habitat for Timberdoodles on the Chippewa NF
The Blackduck Ranger District on the Chippewa has completed four shearing projects to clean brush for woodcock habitat.
Hoosier Hosts Timber Industry Tour
As a joint venture with Lincoln Hills RC&D the Hoosier hosted the annual timber industry meeting to provide information to the public about HNF policies and practices.
ARRA and the Forest Service in Central Oregon: Contract Crews Are Reducing Hazardous Fuels
People are back at workhard at work thinning and hand piling small trees, mowing and removing some biomass.
Eastern Region Implementation - North American Butterfly Association MOU
NABA provides R9 butterfly checklists & American Butterflies Magazine requests inventory info from members.
Steel Saws and Muscle on the Hoosier
Seven new crosscut sawyers certified on the Hoosier National Forest.
MANRRS Annual Career Fair and Training Conference
The Forest Service sponsors a career fair and conference for minorities in natural resources in Indianapolis in March that attracts approximately 1,000 students.
Hoosier NF Co-Sponsors Tree Identification Workshop
Annual tree ID workshop brings out several people to learn more about their native trees.
Career Talk on the Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa NF employees visited the Remer High School careers class to talk about their jobs as Forest Service employees.
Job Corps/SCEP Recruits on the Chippewa NF
Blackduck welcomes SCEP students to the Chippewa National Forest
Missouri Companies Awarded Economic Recovery Fund Contracts
Mark Twain National Forest awards $2,300,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contracts.
Chequamegon-Nicolet Partners with Groups to Help Sharp - tailed Grouse
Groups come together to help sharp-tailed grouse.
Award Winning Extreme Makeover on the Chippewa NF
The Chippewa's Deer River Ranger District receives Deputy Chief's Business Operations Award and White House Award.
From Soils Surveys to Perch Fishing on the Chippewa NF
Chippewa employee helps out with the Cass Lake Kids Perch Fishing contest.
Economic Recovery Funds Solar Energy Expansion on Wayne National Forest in Ohio
Economic Recovery funds allow Wayne National Forest to increase solar energy production to 50% of requirements for main office building!
Native Plant Pollinator Gardens on the Baldwin Ranger District
Four native plant pollinator garden/displays have been established by the Baldwin Ranger District to provide habitat for pollinator insects and an educational experience for the public.
Stimulus Dollars at Work on Tiller Ranger District, Umpqua National Forest
Five contracts and agreements were awarded to contractors and agencies from the Umpqua National Forest as the first phase of U.S. Forest Service economic stimulus funds, totaling nearly $2 million.
Mike Baltz Honored
On March 27, 2009, during an informal reception held in the Supervisor's Office of the Shawnee National Forest Mike Baltz was recognized for his years of work.
Partnership Protects Bicknell's Thrush Habitat and Welcomes Skiers Back to Mittersill
A unique partnership between the White Mountain National Forest, the State of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Audubon will protect Bicknell's thrush habitat and welcome skiers back to dormant trails.
Students Successful in Implementing "Leave No Trace Skills" in the BWCAW
High school seniors learn the importance of developing a solid land ethic using the principles of "Leave No Trace."
Cooperative Fire Agreements at Work
Shawnee National Forest's cooperative fire agreements with fifteen local fire departments and districts are successful in providing assistance fighting wildland fires across boundaries.
ARRA and the Forest Service - People go to Work Reducing Wildfire Hazards
ARRA and the Forest Service - people go to work reducing wildfire hazards.
Hiawatha National Forest Celebrates it's first National Winter Trails Day!
Hiawatha National Forest expands it's menu of National Winter Trails Day events
Centennial Green Finds a New Home on Public Television
Centennial Green: the Over and Understory of the U.S. Forest Service in Song is being released to PBS & Related Stations March of 2009
Chequamegon-Nicolet continues to restore critical lake habitats
If a tree falls in the lake, will a fish hear it?
Partnership Effort Removes 111 Feral Hogs from the Mark Twain
The Mark Twain National Forest has replaced the hunting-based strategy under which hogs have multiplied with an interagency agreement with APHIS
Fish Friendly Concrete Structure Installed to Improve Aquatic Organism Passage
Replace the existing Sutton Bluff Low Water Crossing, which is a barrier to aquatic organism passage, with a fish friendly crossing across the West Fork of the Black River.
Ironton District works with partners to improve fishing
Recycled Christmas trees used to improve aquatic habitat on the Wayne National Forest.
Hoosier NF Takes the First Steps to Create A Native Plant and Pollinator Garden
Collaborative effort by Forest Service personnel establishes a native plant garden at the Tell City Ranger District Office.
Wayne NF, Ironton District partners with Ohio DNR and Quail Forever to improve grassland habitat
Biologists on the Ironton District of the Wayne worked with multiple partners to convert 22 acres of reclaimed strip mine to native grassland habitat for declining grassland birds.
Wayne works with partners to restore wetlands on the Ironton District
The Whitaker Wetland Restoration Project was completed using a variety of partners and an innovative design.
Preserving, Restoring and Managing Wetlands
Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of the Shawnee National Forest has key habitat for migrating waterfowl.
Partnerships are Key to Fisheries and Watershed Restoration Program
Thanks to the nearly $915,000 and countless volunteer hours contributed by 36 partners, 41 riparian and aquatic projects were successfully completed on the Huron-Manistee National Forests in 2008.
National Forest Biologists Awarded High Honor
The Huron-Manistee National Forests' Wildlife Biologists Group was recognized for
Seedlings of Rare Black Hawthorn Planted on Ottawa National Forest
Black hawthorn shrubs raised at Forest Service Nursery and planted at Black River Harbor to boost population viability
New Brochure Helps Protect Sylvania Wilderness from Invasive Species
In order to help protect the Sylvania Wilderness, a brochure describing invasive species was produced.
Ottawa National Forest Develops Native Plant and Pollinator Gardens with Partners
Native plant gardens developed at Ottawa National Forest administrative sites provide pollinator waystations and viewing opportunities
Ottawa National Forest and Partners Host Botanical Foray
A weekend series of field trips showcases rare plants and western Upper Peninsula native plant communities for botanists from Michigan and Wisconsin.
Tickets for Trees to plant 6,000 oak on the Allegheny NF
StubHub's Tickets for Trees Program, in concert with the National Forest Foundation, will plant 6,000 oak and other hardwood trees in spring 2009 on the Allegheny NF in northwestern Pennsylvania
Wildflowers Bloom and a New Garden is Planted in Rochester, Vermont
Staff have started a new native plant garden, are transforming an old one, and the Northeast Native Seed Initiative has begun.
Vermont Timber to Become Part of National Museum of Forest Service History
Timber from Bennington County will represent Vermont and be one of a few dozen logs from across the United States to stand in the National Museum of Forest Service History.
Winter Logging Effects on Soil
Research promotes understanding of methods used to protect soil during managment operations.
Pollinator Habitat expands on the Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest
Volunteers and partners work together to expand pollinator gardens on the Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest.
Chippewa NF and Local Students Join in the Great Backyard Bird Count
Chippewa National Forest employees and North Elementary Students join in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Partners of Wayne National Forest receive funding for Butterfly Garden projects
Athens County Master Gardeners received a grant to create a pollinator learning laboratory at West Elementary School. Students will plan, construct and maintain a pollinator garden on school grounds.
Chippewa NF Part of Schools Winter Forestry Day
Chippewa National Forest staff from the Deer River Ranger District presented a series of programs at North Elementary School.
Chippewa Law Enforcement Leaps Into an Icy Training
The 8th Annual Multi-Agency Winter Ice Rescue Training was held on the Chippewa National Forest each year.
A tree, a use and a partnership on the Chippewa National Forest
In 2007 the Blackduck District decided to take advantage of this process and create uses for the wood. A partnership evolved from this and it produced many benefits.
New Pollinator Garden on the Poplar Bluff Ranger District Provides Monarch Habitat
A pollinator garden was created at the Poplar Bluff Ranger District Office in the summer of 2008 with the help of many district employees and two hard-working Youth Conservation Corps students.
Volunteers Participating in the Karner Blue Butterfly Recovery Program Make a Difference
National Forest enlists help of volunteers to assess the population abundance and habitat quality of an endangered butterfly.
The Eastern Region's Pollinator & Native Plant Gardens - Come Join Us
Native Plant & Pollinator Gardens Provide Enjoyment of Nature's Simple & Complex Workings
Shawnee National Forest Conducts Surveys
National Visitor Use Monitoring Surveys completed for FY08.
Gone But Not Forgotten?
Endangered plants re-appear on Mark Twain National Forest following prescribed burn
Volunteers Build Accessible Hunting Blind at Midewin
Volunteers Help Midewin Improve Recreation Opportunities for Hunters with Disabilities.
Military Assists the Wayne National Forest
Two major projects on the Wayne were accomplished with the help of the US Army Reserve.
Running Buffalo Clover is Growing Well on the Wayne National Forest
Despite threats, a small patch of running buffalo clover continues to thrive.
Ottawa National Forest Receives Wings Across the Americas Award
Ottawa employees are recognized for their efforts surveying for northern blue butterflies and their obligate host plant dwarf bilberry as receipients of National Wings Across the Americas Award.
Biomass Utilization and Restoration Network Wins Two Chiefs' Partnership Award
Hiawatha and BURN-UP partners aim for sustainable biomass innovation in Michigan's U.P.
Illinois Interagency Dispatch Center Relocated
New digs are clean and spacious.
National Day of Service event on the Chippewa National Forest
Community Day at Shingobee Hills Promotes Youth, Environment and Healthy Living
Thinking Green and Keeping Warm
The Green Team on the Shawnee National Forest strikes again.
Monongahela Employees Help Conserve Resources in the Dominican Republic
Cindy Sandeno, Ecologist, and Glen Juergens, Silviculturist, on the Monongahela National Forest traveled to the Dominican Republic to help conserve this nation's natural resources.
National Winter Trails Day celebrated at Chippewa's Shingobee Hills
On January 10th, the Walker Ranger District, North Country Trail Association and Walker Community Education hosted the Forest's first National Winter Trails Day event.
Mush! Gee! Haw! Chippewa Law Enforcement Assist with Sled Dog Race
Chippewa National Forest law enforcement officers Kent Ledermann and Paul Nordeen worked with local sled dog race providing security and safe passage as the teams mush down th
Southern Indiana CWMA on Agenda for Indiana SWCD Conference
Teena Ligman from the Hoosier NF was a speaker at the annual SWCD conference promoting CWMAs and invasive species management in Indiana.
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.
Hidden Springs Ranger District Honors Volunteers
The Shawnee National Forest's Hidden Springs Ranger District presented two of its Forest Service Volunteers with the President's Volunteer Service Award.
The AmeriCorps' Earth Three Team Provides Valuable Service
The Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois community benefit from work done by AmeriCorps.
Partnership Nets Forest Service 9,642 Acres, Rocky Fork Tract
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.
Francis Marion National Forest Adds 253 Acres Thanks to Multiple Funding Sources
The Forest adds two vital tracts in an effort to protect critical habitat and expand visitor experiences.
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.
Partnerships are Foundation for Fisheries and Watershed Restoration Program
The Huron-Manistee National Forests successfully completed 41 riparian and aquatic projects in 2008, due in large part to partner contributions.
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.
U.S Forest Service Turns to Cow Power
The U.S. Forest Service, seeking to reduce its environmental impact, has enrolled its Rutland headquarters in CVPS Cow Power™, the nation's first manure-based farm-to-consumer energy program.