The number of regional Envirothon contests in Indiana increased in 2009 and the teams and the individual students continue to be impressive in their level of interest and enthusiasm for environmental topics. This year, teams who made it to the state level developed plans to bring a species back to their county that was extirpated or endangered. Each team at the state contest made a 20 minute presentation that included a timeline, budget, information on their species, and how they would restore the necessary habitat to bring back the plant or animals species.

But first they had to make it to the state contest! At each regional contest the students - who began preparing for the competition in the fall are tested in forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatics, and in whatever the year's current issue is. In 2009 the current issue was Biodiversity. A core team of Soil and Water Conservation District employees, Brad Rody from Indiana DNR, and Teena Ligman from the Hoosier develop the tests and plan the contests. Ligman has taken the lead in the Current Issue which involves a presentation at each contest as well as writing the tests. Each regional contest had 15-25 teams made up of 5-7 high school students representing their local school, 4H, FFA, or home school association.

The top 3 winning teams (four teams in the case of a tie) from each regional contest moved on to the state contest. At the state contest they not only take another written test which included outdoor hands-on problems, but they present an oral presentation. Each state's Envirothon core team comes up with a subject for the presentation each year related to the current issue. In Indiana we decided to have the teams select a plant or animal species from their local area which was endangered or extirpated, learn about that species, and develop a plan to restore that species to their area. Interestingly, in past years, whatever the subject, the teams get so involved in their presentations, that a few of the teams actually implement their plans. We can only hope that this year is no exception.

The teams, some of which showed up in suits and ties, dresses and stockings, presented plans that would put any board room executive to shame. In most cases the students had actually visited the sites where they planned to restore the species and taken pictures and drawn maps and developed detailed site plans. They had interviewed the land managers and biologists or botanists to determine population viability and the probabilities of their plan's success and developed cost figures. In some cases they had alternative scenarios with a recommended course of action. The range of species the students chose to restore was varied - from Karners blue butterfly, to Copper belly water snake, Fat Pocketbook Mussel, to the Least tern.

For the first time that anyone remembers a home school team won the Indiana state competition. They will represent Indiana in Ashville, North Carolina in August at the North American competition where they will be eligible for scholarships and more awards.

The Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) needed a logo, they also needed a slogan and a marketing plan and were short on volunteers and time to develop basic educational messages. So one of our partners, Indiana University, stepped up and found a marketing class to help.

Steve Cotter with Bloomington Parks and Recreation contacted marketing professor Benjamin Schultz and asked if he had a class who would be interested in the project. Schultz was happy to oblige. Schultz, who teaches a marketing class for upper classman in the Kelly School of Business, treated the assignment as a business arrangement for his students. They divided into five teams to work together on proposals.

Steve Cotter was invited to one of Schultz's classes to explain what the Southern Indiana CWMA was and what it did. Once the group had a concept of the scope of the organization they were told to develop a marketing plan, timeline, budget, logo, slogan, ads, at least one event, an educational component, and make a presentation to their client. They were also required to use various software in their presentation such as InDesign, Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator to demonstrate their skills in each of these software applications.

The student's presentation spanned two days of class time. Members of the board of the Southern Indiana CWMA came and represented the client that the students presented their marketing plans to. The sharply dressed students and the presentations were professional and on target. The CWMA would have had to pay a great deal of money to get such high quality advice, but with the students got 5 versions of logos, slogans, marketing plans, sample ads, etc. all for free. The professor packaged up all the products and sent them to Teena Ligman for whatever uses the CWMA deemed appropriate. The panel of CWMA officers were asked to critique each presentation, ask questions of the students and treat them just as they would if they had been paid contractors.

Each team gave the panel a slick professional written report with their marketing information. They also gave the team many incredibly good ideas that the CWMA can use in the future. One team set up a Facebook page for the CWMA so "all the CWMA fans can keep in touch". That amused us that we had fans and since no one on the panel knew how to use Facebook we weren't sure what to do with that information, but we now have a Facebook page!

The students too, learned from the exercise. They all said they had little or no knowledge of invasive species before they worked on this effort and now have a real appreciation for this issue. Almost every group suggested that Indiana University initiate a student organization dedicated to working with the CWMA on invasive species control that would sponsor regular events on campus. The groups sincerely believed this would help bring more attention to the issue and get students involved. They pointed out the need for more student organizations and the opportunity for students to take leadership roles in events and organizations for their resumes.

One amusing item, as one group described an educational initiative in the school system, they suggested the CWMA hand out seedlings to every elementary-aged child to encourage the planting of native trees. The group actually presented the panel with a little leafing out "tree" wrapped in a bundle. It had a promotional tag with their logo and slogan as a visual aid. After they gave it to us we asked if they knew what kind of tree it was. They did not; they said it was just growing near one of their dorms so they'd dug it up. We told them though the idea was good, this example was privet - a very invasive shrub - and not something we'd want to hand out and that in fact, almost anything leafing out at that time (early March) was likely an invasive species. It was a good lesson in the pervasiveness of invasives.

The Indiana University marketing class jump-started our communications committee for the Southern Indiana CWMA and was a tremendous asset. The students benefited as well so this valuable cooperative effort was a win-win for both parties.

The knees were muddy but the smiles bright on the faces of Deer River High School students and U.S. Forest Service personnel alike when elm planting day finally arrived on the Chippewa National Forest. Thirty-three people spent the morning of April 29th planting young American Elms on a specially prepared site near Spring Lake.

This project began in 2007 as a joint effort involving the Chippewa National Forest and Northern Research Station, with support from State and Private Forestry, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Leech Lake Band of Objibwe. The goal of the project is ultimately to restore the American elm to the Forest's landscape. The Spring Lake site is one of 3 such sites spread across the Chippewa.

Most of us know the story of the American elm. This tree was once a very important part of our forests, as well as a primary street tree in our towns and cities. Many of us were around to watch it succumb to Dutch Elm Disease, and fairly rapidly lose it's place of prominence across the landscape. Despite the best efforts of a lot of people, and a fair amount of money, relatively little could be done about the situation. This tree has lost its place in our forest canopies, and now exists as an understory component, living but a fraction of its former lifespan.

Researchers have been working for years on developing American elm cultivars that would be resistant to Dutch elm disease. Eventually, it just might be possible to put some of these cultivars back on the landscape, so that their genotype can cross with our surviving wild elms, perhaps resulting in disease-resistant wild elms, and a return of this tree to its former role.

To move towards this goal, Chippewa National Forest staff collected branches from surviving local elm trees so that they could be cross-pollinated with disease-resistant elm cultivars in the greenhouse. A Forest Service geneticist from Delaware, Ohio leads this part of the effort. The hope is that the result will be the development of disease-resistant elm trees that also possess the cold-hardiness to survive our northern conditions.

These young trees are the stock that were planted near Spring Lake on April 29th. Two hundred seedlings were planted within a fenced site, to protect them from deer browse and deer antler rub. Next year another 200 trees will be planted. In a few years, those trees that survive through the winters will be inoculated with Dutch Elm Disease. The survivors of this "test" will be the disease-resistant, cold-hardy American elms that can then be used as a seed orchard for reforestation on the Chippewa National Forest and vicinity.

Chippewa National Forest personnel who participated in planting the site included Deer River District employees from all disciplines, such as forestry, wildlife, recreation, and fire. The fire crew also included student interns from Itasca Community College. The Northern Research Station also provided personnel for the day.

Deer River High School students included an enthusiastic crew of young people from Shandy Geisler's Forestry class. The students teamed up with Forest Service personnel in small planting groups of 2 or 3, so that the kids could learn about Forest Service careers, as well as plant these special trees.

When the work was done, a potluck picnic was held with food for all. The day was one more important step towards the conservation goal of returning American elm to our National Forest!

A warm, sunny day and a thousand hungry trout drew a record number of participants out to the sixth annual Wheelin' Sportsmen Fishing Day at Lake Vesuvius. Held on April 16th, this year's event was bigger and better than ever, thanks to the help of both old and new partners. A total of 195 guests participated in the event, including groups from fifteen nursing homes, adult day cares and other organizations, and many individuals.

Wheelin' Sportsmen is an outreach program of the NWTF, designed to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation to individuals with physical and mental challenges. The Lake Vesuvius Wheelin' Sportsmen Fishing Day, a collaborative project between the Wayne National Forest and the South Hills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), affords disabled and mentally challenged individuals the opportunity to enjoy a fishing experience with the aid of a full compliment of volunteers ready to tend to their special needs. A number of additional partners make the event possible by providing food, soda, assistance to participants, poles and fish.

The day started with greetings from Ironton District Ranger Tim Slone, and Forest Supervisor Jo Reyer. The Lawrence County Commissioners then presented a declaration of April 16th as "Wheelin' Sportsmen Day in Lawrence County". After the presentation of the flag by local Boy Scout Troop #115, and the National Anthem sung by recording artist Howie Damron, 1000 hungry rainbow trout were released into Lake Vesuvius by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. With help from the Lawrence County Bass Club, the Symmes Valley High School FFA and Wayne National Forest employees, participants began reeling 'em in. Lunch was provided and cooked by National City Bank, and soda was provided by the Ohio University Nature Center. To ensure that all of the vehicles could be accommodated, the Collins Career Center Law Enforcement class provided traffic and parking direction.

Despite the occasional tangling of lines and rod malfunctions, participants were catching fish faster than organizers could count.

"Today has been awesome, this is the best weather we have ever had," said Buddy Fry, past NWTF state chapter president, "This is a top 10 event for the county and for the participants. It is all about opportunity. This might be the only day of the year many of these people are able to do anything like this."

"I haven't been fishing in several years and being able to reel them in on a consistent basis has been a blast," explained Amanda Murphy, 31, who attended with her son and son's best friend. "Looks like I picked the right bait for the trout."

The Wayne National Forest Wheelin' Sportsmen Program was recently recognized at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The NWTF presented the Ironton Ranger District the Making Tracks with the Forest Service National Award for Conservation Education. The organization spoke highly of the District's work to partner with the South Hills Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF to provide events and new venues for sportsmen with disabilities in the national forest.

By Diana Emmons

April 21, 2009

On March 13, 2009, nineteen volunteers, including fifteen Southern Illinois University-Carbondale students wrapped up a week of primitive camping in the Lusk Creek Wilderness, then along with one Southern Illinois University at Carbondale extern and one Master Trail Steward began work on a project in the Bald Knob Wilderness.

The project leaders were Jessica Lagona and Lisa Thomas, two of the Shawnee Volunteer Corps' Master Trail Stewards. Project planning and implementation was overseen by Kelly Pearson, a trail technician for the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District's Trails Program. The volunteers installed fifteen steps that were constructed of natural materials. The steps span 150 feet on the Ranbarger Trail within the Bald Knob Wilderness.

The steps were installed to raise the trail tread and reduce the grade of a fifty foot increase in the slope's elevation. The accomplishment made by these volunteers continues the work of protecting watershed health in the Hutchins Creek/Seminary Fork watershed.

The work done by the Shawnee Volunteer Corps is an example of walking the talk of sustainability.

In 2008 the Blackduck Ranger District on the Chippewa National Forest initiated the creation of a native plant pollinator garden. The garden is located at the Blackduck administrative site and will be used to educate the public about uses of native plants in landscaping and their value to wildlife, particularly those that rely on flower nectar for food.

In 2008 District staff met with three landscape companies who shared their ideas and expertise on using native plants in landscaping. The plan that was implemented has 26 varieties of wildflowers, seven varieties of flowering and fruiting shrubs. A tall and grass prairie ecosystem located adjacent to the office driveway was seeded.

This year with additional funding, interpretation of the garden will include signs and plant markers, a brochure about the garden and working with a local bee keeper to have a hive near the prairie gardens.

Youth Conservation Corps and Beltrami County Workforce Enhancement summer employment crews will be caring for the garden and planning and installing interpretive signs. The brochure will also be produced by the youth.

2009 will be the first full growing season for the gardens and this year will require extra tending to assure a diverse and vibrant landscape.

Benefits of the pollinator garden are many. Lawn mowing at the office will be reduced by 1/2 acres. Butterflies, birds and bees will benefit from the variety of flowers and flowering shrubs. The entrance to the office has been improved and there are many opportunities to interpret the gardens to our visitors and local residents.

This public garden will be a place for everyone to learn about these benefits and hoepfully build these concepts into their own yard.

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 to help build a trail to the Lost River Whychus.

The Greater Outdoors Project awards financial grants to nonprofit organizations to use towards specific environmental projects that aim to preserve, protect and provide access to the great American outdoors. The Whychus Creek Trails Project is a finalist in their grant competition. The winner will be selected by ... Citizens of the Internet, through a vote-on-line or by-text process.

About the Whychus project

This project will build a 10-mile trail along Whychus Creek near Sisters, and restore damaged areas. The trail will lead hikers along this secretive stream, to waterfalls and spectacular Cascades scenery rising dramatically above the fast-growing Central Oregon communities of Bend and Sisters.

The planned trail will replace a growing network of damaging user-created trails. The project will also restore these illegal trails and roads, remove weeds and plant native species to restore watershed habitat with volunteers.

Much of this work is taking place in preparation for a much-anticipated event for the region's fisheries. In 2010, a new fish passage system on the downstream dam will allow steelhead and Chinook salmon to return to these tributaries for the first time in years.

About the area

Two spectacular streams pour down into this watershed - the Metolius River and Whychus Creek - each a designated Wild and Scenic River. The Metolius is well-known and much-loved, but suffers from heavy recreational use because of its popularity. The water that flows out of these mountains feeds the Deschutes River, a valuable watershed for communities, recreation and fisheries.

Within these sister watersheds, this project supported by National Forest Foundation will address damage done by recreational use, rejuvenate in-stream fish habitat, treat noxious weeds, reduce wildfire risk and restore burned areas. As Whychus Creek has been "found" again (at one time it had nearly disappeared due to irrigation use), a new wave of uncontained recreation is damaging this ruggedly beautiful watershed.

How the grant will be won

The National Forest Foundation has entered the Whychus Trails Project in this Internet competition. There are four other non-forest projects nationwide. Internet votes - to be cast by computer or text message by midnight, Eastern Time, May 31 - will determine which finalist wins.

For inspiration about how the Internet voting works, see NFF's www.nationalforests.org, or the Greater Outdoors Project website at www.blazethetrail.com/greatoutdoors/vote/. The voting concept is fun and engages the Citizens of the Internet in the final result!

The Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest sincerely appreciates businesses and people interested in sustainable public land stewardship.

Almost one-thousand blight resistant American chestnut trees and 200 disease resistant American elm trees were planted in early April by Boy Scouts from Columbus, Ohio, as well as Forest employees from the Watershed Restoration Group and local volunteers.

The seedlings were planted on a piece of reclaimed mine land that was restored last year in Athens County. The Forest planted 600 American chestnut trees on the Ironton and Athens Ranger District in 2008. This year, the Forest estimates 3000 of the trees will be planted by the end of April on both districts. The project is in partnership with researchers from the U.S. Forest Service Research Lab in Delaware, Ohio.

The American chestnut tree was nearly wiped out by a blight that killed an estimated four billion trees in the eastern United States in the early 20th century. The naturally surviving trees remain vulnerable to the fungus, however through years of cross breeding with its disease-resistant counterpart, the Chinese chestnut; researchers are seeking to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut.

The American Chestnut Foundation's backcross breeding program produces seed that combines the disease-resistant traits of the Chinese chestnut with the superior size and timber traits of the American chestnut. In order for the seedlings to grow in the poor soil conditions of the reclaimed mines, Forest Service Researchers inoculate the chestnut seedlings with mycorrhizal fungi that will aid in the survival, growth and development of the seedlings.

Mycorrhizal fungi play a vital role in reforestation by providing the plant several benefits that are critical for its survival and growth in a nutrient poor and hostile environment such as in reclaimed mined sites.

The re-establishment of native vegetation like the American Chestnut & American Elm has been made a priority for the Wayne National Forest. In the Forest's 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan, it lists the Forest's initiative to promote the planting of disease-resistant species on the Wayne as varieties become available.

Top Photo: Crew Leader Arias puts the finishing touches on a junction box.

Bottom Photo: Student Foreman Seaworth assists another student in the installation of a plate cover.

Since January 2008, the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF has utilized Blackwell Job Corps students of various vocational training programs at the site of the renovated Forest Supervisor's office, formerly the site of the old Wisconsin Department of Transportation office. At a recent visit to the building, Job Corps Electrical Program students were found hard at work.

With a capacity of 24 students, the Electrical Program provides training in residential and commercial electrical construction. Work at the new building provides them with valuable hands-on skills not found in a classroom setting. The Electrical Program students have been providing a variety of labor at the new building since January 2008. According to their Electrical Instructor, John Houts, "For the next 7 to 8 weeks, the crew will complete construction projects from installing exit lights and the fire alarm system, to wiring the new garage built by the Carpentry students."

While all Job Corps training programs are described as 'self-paced', students in the Electrical program usually complete the required training in approximately 9 months. Additionally, students also accomplish approximately 360 hours of Work Based Learning on actual building projects. Once they have met additional education goals and obtained a driver's license, they are ready to hit the job market. For a six-month period following graduation, they are provided with Career Transition Services (CTS; at least one is in every state) who help them transition from Job Corps to the workforce. Many find positions as electrician helpers, making from $10.00 to $14.50, and some may be placed in apprenticeship positions in the Electrician's Union.

On any given day, a crew of 10 to 11 out of 24 electrical program students currently enrolled in the program can be found at the building site. The remaining students are back at Blackwell, either working through the earlier stages of their vocational training, or in classrooms studying for their High School Equivalency Diploma. In addition, some of the electrical students can be found in a Driver's Education Class.

I met up with two students while visiting the site last week - Emmanuel "Manny" Arias and Corey Seaworth. Both students have completed all the required hours for the program and are practicing more hands-on skills and they prepare for the transition from Job Corps to work. For the electrical crew, Arias is the Crew Leader who oversees an individual crew of students, and Seaworth is the Student Foreman who oversees all the crews.

Arias, 21, hails from South Bend, Indiana, is originally from Mexico, and was raised in Texas. He has one small child back home. The 21 year old has been at Blackwell for 10 months. He came to Blackwell with a GED. He's hoping to eventually become a lineman and is willing to relocate anywhere in the US. Arias described his life outside Job Corps as going the wrong way. "I had been on the streets, and in a gang. Job Corps changes your view on life." he said.

Seaworth, who is 22 years old, comes from Loves Park in Illinois. He has been at Blackwell for 14 months, and arrived at the Center with a High School Diploma. He is also interested in the electrical lineman field, and will be looking for work in either southern Wisconsin or northern Illinois. He opted to stay on because he believes the hands-on work at the building will better prepare him for employment. Corey came from a middle class suburban area with little exposure to diverse populations in the world of work. He states, "Here at Blackwell, I've learned how to relate and work with people from different backgrounds than mine. I didn't have that opportunity back at home."

Houts speaks highly of these two young men, "These are some of the best students I've had in this program since I've been here. They're quick learners and hard workers." Speaking of their instructor, both Arias and Seaworth were very complimentary, saying they couldn't ask for a better instructor. "He knows a lot, teaches a lot, and lets us know when we mess up and when we're doing good work. He's like a member of our family," they said.

Over the past 15 months, many of Blackwell's vocational programs have had the opportunity to learn their respective skills working on the job at the site, and some crews will be returning later this year to provide the finishing touches: Carpentry, Masonry, Construction Crafts, and Painting.

"We are grateful that our students have had the opportunity to enhance the skills of their vocation by working in the future Forest Supervisor's office. It continues to give us the opportunity to demonstrate how the Blackwell Job Corps Center continues to play a role in the future of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest," said Center Director, Riana Ventura.

Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is located approximately 4 miles south of Laona. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the Center at 715-674-2311.

Visit Blackwell on the web at: http://blackwell.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

The Shawnee National Forest sponsored a week of basic firefighter training held at the Golconda Job Corps Center from April 6 through April 10, 2009. The training was designed to provide the basic skills an individual needs to be able to safely fight forest wildland fires or assist in prescribed burns.

Shawnee National Forest Fire Management Officer Chris Peterson said, "The ultimate goal of this week's training was to prepare the participants and make them available to be dispatched to wildland fires anywhere in the United States, particularly out west. Each one of these young men has learned the safety skills, been taught the use of firefighting tools and now are familiar with the unpredictability of wildland fire."

Those who attended this basic firefighter training included nine Job Corps students, one Williamson County, Illinois firefighter and one Forest employee. The instructors were Shawnee National Forest wildland firefighters Chris Peterson, Frank Paukert, Dan Taylor and Johnny Walker.

Training students and employees to be wildland firefighters is one way the Forest is revolutionizing effectiveness and efficiency.

This mini photo essay supplements a recent story about putting people to work in economic recovery jobs in Central Oregon. It clearly shows "before and after" pictures along with an action shot of hazardous fuel reductions work.

The Forest hosted a successful workshop for contractors to learn about the contracting process for the federal government with emphasis on working with the US Forest Service. Key information a business or organization needs to know to successfully compete for government contracts and in particular working with the Shawnee National Forest was included in the workshop. Over a four-hour period, information was shared on how to bid on contracts such as trail maintenance, road construction and maintenance, timber management, mowing, surveying, etc. by Contracting Officer Mark Corse.

Shawnee National Forest personnel made individual contacts with the area's radio stations, televisions stations and newspapers to announce the workshop and reach local community contractors. The results were that approximately twenty contractors attended the workshop held in the Forest Supervisor's Office in Harrisburg, Illinois on March 25, 2009.

The hope is that the workshop will result in more local contractors taking the opportunity to bid on Shawnee National Forest contracts. Contractors are one example of the revolutionizing effectiveness and efficiency.

PatRick Environmental, a national fire suppression crew contractor out of Redmond, OR, is adding months of work onto the "shoulder season", employing crew members earlier than usual this year. Since the crew operates on a "call when needed" basis, members generally don't start working until mid-June or July, depending on fire season activity.

Thanks to an ARRA "first round" award made to the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, PatRick crews were contracted to start in late March. And although the project they are currently working on the Crooked River National Grassland is only one of many ARRA projects being implemented in Central Oregon, it makes a difference to the individuals it employs, their families and the local communities who are impacted by some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.

Equipment purchases are being made locally for the needed chainsaws, saw parts, gasoline and protective equipment. The purchases are roughly estimated to total approximately $10,000. These purchases are helping to circulate revenue back into the nearby communities.

On the Grassland project, twenty-six crew members who reside in Madras, Prineville, Redmond, Bend and Sisters have been busy thinning and piling at three different locations east and west of Madras in Jefferson County. When their work is complete, a total of 1,939 acres of overcrowded stands of juniper trees will have been treated for hazardous fuels reduction.

The "Round Butte" portion of the Grassland project includes treatment of 916 acres of hazardous fuel reduction adjacent to the Round Butte Subdivision, providing protection against future wildfires for the nearby homes.

The work will also serve to protect a Portland General Electric switch station and nearby Oregon State Parks recreational facilities. The project complements a nearby 800-acre block that was treated for hazardous fuels reduction in 2008. The area previously treated was accomplished with grants from the National Fire Plan.

The Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (NOV 2005), which was developed cooperatively between federal, state and local governments, has made it possible to receive these grants and awards for the purposes of hazardous fuels reduction and protection for private property and communities. With ARRA funding added to the mix, it's about providing jobs for our neighbors, too.

When volunteers Dick and June Axelson walk through the doors of the Chippewa National Forest, we know it is once again time for the summer Passport In Time (PIT) project. Dick and June are dedicated volunteers with an avid interest in archaeology and historic sites around the country. During our Centennial year, Dick and June returned for their 14th PIT project. They are listed on the PIT honor roll for volunteering over 3000 hours to heritage sites!

Passport in Time (PIT) is a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the USDA Forest Service. PIT volunteers work with professional Forest archaeologists and historians on national forests throughout the U.S. on everything from archaeological digs to historic structure restoration, oral history gathering, and curation of artifacts.

Over the years, PIT volunteers on the Chippewa National Forest have helped restore Camp Rabideau and Joyce Estate, both National Historic sites on the Forest. They have labeled and documented everything from stone chips to pottery, and patiently scraped away earth to reveal the stories from the past 10,000 years. In 2008, 28 PIT crew volunteers worked on a prehistoric site near Lake Winnibigoshish. On average, 30 volunteers work on Forest PIT projects each year, with over half returning PIT "veterans". This summer we look forward to the return of Dick and June as well as new faces to work with next Forest site.

Woodcocks, or timberdoodles, are known for their spectacular courtship flights, spiraling straight up into the air, wings whistling and whirring. A good courtship show depends on habitat, and woodcocks need clearings for their singing grounds.

The Blackduck Ranger District on the Chippewa has recently completed four shearing projects to clean brush for woodcock habitat. The sites are located within the Webster Lake and Carter Lake Hunter Walking Trail system. Crews treated 20 acres with 70- to 80- foot strips cut throughout. Forest staff have already been "kicking up" woodcocks at the sites.

Jason Puposky, Blackduck District, notes " this was a fun project with very measurable benefits." The Minnesota Woodcock Society has expressed interest in a site visit and hopes to partner on projects in the future. Visitors to the Blackduck district may want to swing by to wintess the spring dance of the Timberdoodle!

On March 3, 2009 the Hoosier National Forest held its annual Timber Industry Meeting in cooperation with Lincoln Hills RC&D. The Forest was asked to provide a tour/field trip that covered some of the management practices we use such as: prescribed burning and its use to re-establish native barrens type plant communities, implementation of prescribed burning, vernal wetlands, and policies and practices relating to illegal ATV use on the Hoosier.

About 40 people attended the field trip. The first stop was at Mogan Ridge, an area with several barrens that is regularly burned on the Forest, to discuss the implementation and effects of prescribed burning. The Forest Fire Management Officer (FMO), Mike Davis, discussed pre- and post burn conditions and the objectives of the burn. The group was shown an unburned area as a control and a recently burned area. Several questions were asked about how we actually go about conducting the burn: number of people needed, time, tools, weather conditions, and training. Participants were also shown a dry upland plant community, "the barrens", that relies on periodic fire to control woody encroachment. Kirk Larson, the Forest Botanist, detailed the conditions needed and the types of plants found in these rare areas.

Next, we took the group to a recently closed pine timber sale. Kevin Beck, Timber Sale Administrator, spoke about sale procedures and best management practices given Indiana's highly erodeable soils. The Hoosier's Ecosystem Program Manager, Gary Dinkel, gave a presentation on the installation and use of vernal ponds on skid trails and closed roads. He discussed their importance to amphibians, bats, and other wildlife. Additionally, Chris Thornton, Silviculturist and Forest Protection Officer (FPO) and Todd Dempsey, Forester and FPO, spoke about illegal ATV use, problems that they create, and their deterrence. Attendees asked about how the Forest informed the public of our policies and how to be legal.

Lastly, to conclude the day, the group had dinner at a local BBQ restaurant where the new District Ranger, Anne Carey, introduced herself and spoke about the Hoosier National Forest and the services and successes of the forest. The feedback from the guests indicated that they had a good time and enjoyed their day. The cold weather also made the dinner that much more appealing.

ARRA and the Forest Service Contract Crews Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Just two weeks after economic stimulus work in the woods began, crews of four contractors have treated 1,044 acres of hazardous fuels on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests in Oregon. Crews are hard at work thinning and hand piling small trees, mowing and removing some biomass.

Quicksilver Contracting of Bend knocked back 529 acres on the Bend Fort Rock Ranger District south of Bend.

Melcher Logging of Sweet Home crews thinned, piled and mowed another 150 acres as part of the Head Thin Project on the Sisters Ranger District.

PatRick Contracting of Redmond treated 309 acres of the Crooked River National Grassland on the Ochoco National Forest.

GFP of Sisters crews thinned and piled 56 acres in the wild land urban interface near Sisters, Oregon as part of the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction Project.

Chain saws were buzzing in the woods, and crewpersons were glad to be back at work.

A session was held this week at Deschutes National Forest headquarters in Bend for additional persons interested in contracting with the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. The "Central Oregon Restoration Project" will seek to develop a pool of contract resources that can be tapped into over the next year. Over one hundred people showed up to learn about contracting opportunities for the near future.

The Oregon Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP) of Springfield, Oregon has also been conducting sessions about government contracting in multiple locations around the state. GCAP will host a session in Bend on April 14th.

During the winter of 2009 the Forest Service and North American Butterfly Association (NABA) http://www.naba.org/ signed an MOU which is national in scope. Activities include: assessment; inventory; monitoring; data acquisition, management, exchange and dissemination; and other scientific and management activities to conserve butterflies, plants, watersheds, and ecological systems critical to sustaining biological diversity.

NABA, with over 30 chapters and 500 members nationally, is a non profit organization dedicated to the public awareness and conservation of butterflies and their habitats. NABA activities include: American Butterflies Magazine publication; rare and endangered butterfly surveys; habitat management protocols optimal for butterflies; the NABA Butterfly Count Program; and a large- scale monitoring program and database for long- term research studies. NABA has also developed the Butterflies I've Seen (BIS) Database that contains over 1 million entries.

Via this wonderful MOU, NABA has provided Eastern Region with checklists of the butterflies documented or potential within each Forest. NABA's American Butterflies Magazine will also carry a notice requesting NABA members to, when feasible, inventory within R9 forests and log the information gathered in the NABA database. The Eastern Region of the Forest Service will then share this butterfly information with the public via brochures and websites; we hope to have our first Forest butterfly brochure available for the public by the summer of 2009. As we gather more information about this stunning natural resource our management practices and recreation/ interpretation opportunities will continue to develop and improve. Lastly, our butterfly MOU with NABA serves to further implement the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) http://www.nappc.org/ which was developed to encourage the health of resident and migratory pollinating animals in North America. The Forest Service is an affiliated organization within NAPPC.

Many areas of the National Forests of the United States are designated as Wilderness Areas and as such the use of mechanized and motorized equipment is prohibited. Because of this, the United States Forest Service organizes crosscut saw training of Forest Service employees in an effort to maintain skills and proficiency among those who need to use such saws. The training includes proper and safe use of the saw and axe along with wedging techniques.

The crosscut saw commonly known as the "two man saw" or "misery whip" was instrumental in the settling of the United States. Indiana in particular was a vast forest of prime hardwoods, species of hickory, ash, oak, walnut, cherry and yellow poplar were prized for furniture and building materials. Prior to the patent of the "tree felling machine" in 1929 by Andreas Stihl all timbering operations were accomplished using the crosscut saw. These two man saws were used to fall timber, clearing land for farming and homesteading, using the timber to build homes and barns, fences and bridges and as a source of income.

The Hoosier National Forest still uses the crosscut saw in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area for clearing of trails and roadways, removal and bucking of hazard trees and cleaning of wind damage.

Recently a group of seven Hoosier employees completed certification on the crosscut saw. Hazard trees were removed along with some needed clearing for construction sites in a recreation area. Sizing up and clearing the immediate area is necessary when using the crosscut saw to ensure safe and accurate falling, job skills learned by all the new certified sawyers.

From March 26-28, 2009, approximately 1000 students from all over the country attended the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 24th Annual Career Fair and Training Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Students studying agriculture, natural resources and related sciences had the opportunity to network, attend workshops and attend the Career Fair where they explored employment opportunities with various businesses, universities and government agencies.

The Forest Service was a Platinum Level Sponsor for the conference represented by staffs from regions 5, 6, 8 and 9. The Eastern Region was well represented by folks from the regional office and several forests and ranger districts. "The MANRRS conference is the ideal venue for the Forest Service to develop contacts and recruit for future internships and jobs," said Florence Pridgen, Region 9 conference coordinator.

"As a result of the Career Fair, we have a list of STEP and SCEP candidates that the Eastern Region can use to fill current and future vacancies."

Judi Perez, Forest Planner on the Hoosier, helped with registration. "I was really impressed by the insightful questions and how well the students communicated," she said. "The quality of the students attending speaks well for MANRRS as a national society with high professional standards."

Other natural resource management agencies drawn by the specialized attendees were the National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency.

The White River RC&D annually sponsors a tree identification workshop which is held on a rotating basis in one of the RC&D's five counties. This year's workshop was held in Orange County and featured trees before they leafed out. The intent was to teach people how to recognize trees in winter. Though the crowd was smaller than summer workshops have been they were a hardy group of a dozen people including three teenagers who wanted to learn to recognize trees by their bark and twigs.

The workshop was taught by Janet Eger, District Forester from the Department of Natural Resources, and Teena Ligman from the Hoosier National Forest. The two foresters brought in twigs and fruits (nuts and seeds) to the three hour evening indoor class. Though most of the indoor class was done with pictures on PowerPoint of tree shapes, bark, and leaves in summer, each of the 25 species we taught were also reinforced with twigs and what the fruit looked like if we were able to find some to bring in. In some cases students could "scratch and sniff" to detect the unique smell of certain twigs, or feel the velvet of their buds.

The second part of the workshop was a four hour session in the woods on a Saturday morning. Here the class got to practice what they learned and were repeatedly drilled on the common species until they rarely missed a tree. As one older landowner asserted - he's owned his forest land for over 50 years, it's high time he got more acquainted with what he had. The group was enthusiastic and was encouraged to practice their skills. Another man said now that he's learned he can eat the flowers of the redbud, he's sure to go out to practice and snack quite a lot this spring.

Each participant received a copy of the book 101 Trees of Indiana compliments of the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD had received money to purchase the books from a Clean Water Grant for the class.

On Friday March 20th, forestry technician Travis Jones, law enforcement officer Kent Ledermann, and wildlife biologist Kelly Barrett visited the Remer High School Careers Class to talk about their jobs as Forest Service employees on the Chippewa National Forest. The class is taught by Michael Horn. He has been bringing in speakers from a variety of disciplines to talk to the students. The purpose of the career class is to help kids pick career pathways and prepare for what comes next after high school. The Forest Service staff saw this as an opportunity to touch base with the community, especially young people who may be interested in a career in natural resources.

Travis, Kent and Kelly began their program by explaining the role that the Forest service plays as a Federal land management agency in relation to state, county and tribal lands. They wanted to impress upon the students that managing of lands on the federal level means not only caring for the land, but also serving the people. They also explained each of their job duties and what a typical day of work would be like. Each staff member shared with the students what their career pathways have been thus far. They spoke of the importance of education, applying yourself, and working hard to achieve your goals. Every summer the Forest Service has some job opportunities available through the Youth Conservation Corps program for young people 15 to 18 years old and they described how to sign up for the program.

Finally, the staff encouraged the students to look for volunteer opportunities in order to get as much experience as possible in their area of interest. They wanted the students to know that there are many types of careers with the Forest Service involving a wide variety of disciplines. They invited the young people to try a day of "shadowing" one of the forest service personnel through a day of work so that they could get the feel for what that type of job would be like.

Derek Gentry and Xavien Grady came to the Chippewa National Forest in November 2008, after graduating from the Schenck JC Advanced Fire Management Program where they served on the Davidson River Initial Attack Crew. Both Derek and Xavien have been working in a number of program areas helping to complete work and learning as they go. Blackduck RD has a good mentor system in place to help them be successful both at and away from work.

Derek and Xavien have completely won over all District employees with their positive attitude and willingness to take on work. Prior to snow arriving, they spent a number of days collecting fuels inventory information for a planned prescribed fire. They have successfully completed snowmobile certification (neither of them had ever been on a snowmobile!), timber cruising, and attended critical training for the last two weeks at ESRU. They accomplished timber marking and cruising a red pine thinning unit independently. Both of them helped our timber sale administrator inspect active logging operations for a week. The loggers were local to the Blackduck area and invited Derek and Xavien to go bowling one of the nights.

We have experienced a typical Minnesota winter, where Derek and Xavien have spent long days in the field where the temperature never went above zero. The District helped them determine what clothes they would need and even donated some clothes to them. We have heard no complaints about the cold from them, and they complete all jobs safely.

Both Derek and Xavien want to stay in the SCEP program and attend college next fall. Their goal is to earn a Bachelor Degree in Forestry or Fire, then convert to professional employees.

Mark Twain National Forest awarded $2,300,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contracts March 2009 to improve forest roads and recreation sites.

Eight Missouri construction companies were awarded bids March 23, 2009 totalling $1,535,000 to provide gravel to Forest Service roads damaged by extreme weather over the last few years.

Jack Willman, Shell Knob, who was awarded a $344,000 aggregate contract, said the contract will keep his family-owned business open.

"This has been a blessing for us," Willman said. "This will put me back to work and another gentleman."

Joyce Gabel, Willow Springs, said their $75,000 aggregate contract will help them add two new trucks and hire a couple more people full-time.

Four other Missouri companies will get $169,000 to blade damaged forest roads.

Another $493,903 will provide installation of 25 low-maintenance toilet buildings at Forest Service campgrounds in 11 counties. New picnic tables, lamp posts and fire rings totaling $165,000 will also be installed in forest campgrounds, while another $25,000 will provide new signs.

"This will maintain jobs," according to KD Crushing, Mineral Point, who was awarded a $285,000 contract for gravel. "Right now a lot of little businesses are closed or closing. This will help keep our doors open."

"We're looking forward to working with these contractors to maintain and improve our forest roads and recreation facilities," said Mark Twain Forest Supervisor David Whittekiend.

On March 28th members of the Wisconsin Sharp-tail grouse Society (WSGS), staff from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) volunteers from the Student Chapters of the UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point Wildlife Society, and students from Northland College, gathered for the first annual "brush out". The group joined forces using hand tools to improve habitat at the Riley Lake Wildlife Management area located on the CNNF's west side. This area harbors one of the last of 10 managed populations of the sharp- tailed grouse species in Wisconsin.

The crew sawed, snipped, and lopped down small trees and undesirable alder and willow brush a targeted areas in need of management within the current sharp-tailed grouse habitat management area. One of the goals was to restore a historic breeding site in hopes that birds will again use it in their annual breeding display. This display behavior finds male grouse buzzing around in various patterns stamping their feet rapidly attempting to attract a female for breeding. "Having all these groups come together to accomplish this amount of work was a tremendous help. We appreciate everyone's willingness to pitch in and we look forward to next year's project." said, Dan Eklund, Forest Biologist.

Reducing brush and small trees in this area is needed to maintain a mosaic of grass and brush lands for native bird species. Sharp-tailed grouse have loss upwards of 70% of its historic habitat across the state of WI in the last 50+ years due to development. Riley Lake is intensively managed by the CNNF to sustain the species into the future.

The Chippewa National Forest's Deer River Ranger District recently received the White House award signed by President Obama and well as the Deputy Chief's Business Operations Award for Sustainable Operations The district received the honors for their "Extreme Makeover".

In 2008 the Deer River Ranger District on the Chippewa National Forest (Minnesota) in Region 9 underwent an Extreme Makeover to help reduce its environmental footprint.

For Earth Day 2009, the Extreme Makeover Ranger District Edition DVD was sent to every district office, supervisor's office, regional office, research station, and Washington office unit across the agency.

Patterned after the popular Extreme Makeover television program, the documentary portrays an answer to the question of how the Forest Service can connect the benefits of land stewardship practices to reducing resource consumption.

It all began when Anna Jones Crabtree, sustainable operations coordinator for Regions 1 and 2, pitched the extreme makeover idea during a presentation and Deer River District Ranger Joe Alexander raised his hand.

After deciding to take the district's environmental footprint seriously, Alexander and his team of enthusiastic employees went after the sustainable operations project with a vengeance.

A film crew and staff from the Northern and Rocky Mountain regions filmed the documentary that incorporates real-world change efforts and a little bit of humor to encourage and motivate other districts to consider their environmental footprint and take action to reduce it.

The makeover began with an assessment of several areas in the district's effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

By reducing the district fleet by six vehicles, trading in an SUV for a car, and switching some four-wheel-drive vehicles down to two-wheel-drive vehicles, the district will save $13,000 a year in fleet costs and another $10,000 in fuel costs. Before the makeover, the district spent $80,000 last year alone in fuel, getting less than 10.3 miles to the gallon as an average.

Simple things such as putting the office Pepsi machine on a timer so it is only on during office hours and changing all office computers to print duplex save the district additional cash.

Replacing an inefficient furnace meant going from 60 percent to over 95 percent efficiency with a savings of about $4,600 a year at current natural gas prices.

The district replaced all of the toilets with low-flow toilets both in the office and at the bunkhouse, saving 73,000 gallons of water and $600 per year.

Changing 346 fluorescent light bulbs to more energy efficient T-8 bulbs will prevent 36.4 tons of carbon from being put into the atmosphere by power plants, and when combined with sensors, saves around $3,000 per year.

The district added recycled office supplies to the workplace to further reduce its carbon footprint.

Ultimately, the changes will save the district approximately $32,000 annually, not to mention the considerable benefits to the environment.

Alexander noted there were lots of challenges along the way, but sees the focus on sustainable operations as a cultural shift--a real institutional change for the district and for the agency.

"Acting on existing opportunities that reduce a district's environmental footprint can have a tremendous effect if replicated across the agency," Alexander said.

For Alexander and his team, the focus on sustainability has expanded beyond the office to connecting with Grand Rapids High School. The district and high school have collaborated to increase students' awareness of wise use of resources, a vital step in helping the next generation understand the need to care for the land. "Our joint tree planting and community cleanup operations have been worthwhile and motivational," said Alexander.

--Written By Gwen Ernst-Ulrich, Rocky Mountain Region

Ask an employee on the Chippewa National Forest to describe their jobs, and you will definitely hear one word…..diverse! Recreation employees have been tracking ski trails and then traveling over to the local Sport and Travel shows in Forest communities. Public Affairs staff are building new web sites, filling maple syrup tap permits and scheduling programs for scout troops. It's easy to tie most back to the More Kids in the Woods theme. And one of the more recent interesting job combinations is our Forest soils scientist heading out on the lake ice to bait hooks at the local kid's Perch Fishing Contest!

On March 14, soils scientist Jim Barrot volunteered to help out with the Cass Lake Kids Perch Fishing contest. Cass Lake businesses sponsor this annual event which brings in hundreds of kids from the local community. Kids register at the site, and receive ice fishing poles and bait, and head out to fishing holes already augered through the ice.

Dean Phillip's of Froggy's Bait, looks forward to the event each year. "It's really about the kids, teaching them how fun it can be to catch a fish. We really want to get the community involved and appreciate everyone who participates." Along with 200 smiling kids, Barott was having fun too. "It was a beautiful day out on the ice….sunshine and almost 40 degrees. We couldn't have asked for a better winter day outdoors! And the kids did catch perch!"

Forest employees can be proud of their efforts to get more kids outdoors this winter! With the help of the Junior Snow Ranger Program and the Winter Feels Good resources, the Forest has put together some great programs this winter. From Deer River District hosting a full day of cross-country skiing on the Cut Foot Sioux area trails (including a candlelight ski to end the day) to family days of sledding and snowshoeing at Shingobee Hills, the perch contest was another perfect way to celebrate winter in northern Minnesota!

The Wayne National Forest was already setting an example in southeastern Ohio with its solar panels, but now the office's solar energy program will be expanded thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Wayne began its Solar Energy Program in 2007, by installing a 20-panel solar system. Last year, the Forest added 30 more panels to bring the total to 50. The current system is generating 7% of the facilities energy needs. According to Forest Engineer Steve Marchi, once the new expansion is completed later this summer, up to fifty-percent of the Wayne National Forest headquarters building will be powered by the sun during the summer months. This is an increase of over 40-percent and further reduces our carbon footprint.

The Wayne awarded a $398,000 contract to the Ohio-based D.J. Group from Beverly, Ohio. The contractor, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business is being hired to purchase and install 250 additional solar panels to the roof top of the Wayne National Forest Headquarters building, bringing the total to 300 solar panels. The federal government estimates four jobs will be created by the Wayne National Forest six-month project that gives business to Ohio's growing solar industry.

Marchi is proud of the Forest's willingness to take the extra steps to increase their energy efficiency. He notes that with the onset of the Wayne's solar energy program, it has become part of the state's solar revolution and was included in the Ohio Solar Tour, where the Forest launched the 2008 event for southeastern Ohio.

Four native plant pollinator gardens/displays have been established by the Baldwin Ranger District on the Huron-Manistee NF to provide habitat for pollinator insects and provide an educational experience for the public. Unfortunately, pollinator decline has been making big headlines in the past several years. Pollinators are critical to the health of our ecosystem and our human food supply.

In 2008, the Baldwin Ranger District developed two large, colorful signs explaining the importance of native plants for pollinating insects and how to construct pollinator friendly habitats. These signs were placed at two of the four gardens. The first of these gardens is located at the Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary. The second of these gardens is located at the entrance to a parking area for the North Country Trail.

The third garden is newly planted in the parking area of a Forest Service motorized trail on highway M-20. The new planting will have a small sign developed and placed this summer identifying it as a Michigan Native Plant/Native Pollinator Habitat site. Bulletin board information will provide further information on the importance of native plants and pollinators.

The fourth garden serves a dual role of providing pollinator habitat and serving as a major seed collection site for nectar plant species seed. This site was harvested for the first time in 2008. Approximately 4 pounds of uncleaned nectar seed was collected and will be outplanted in endangered Karner blue butterfly locations during 2009.

Efforts in 2009 will focus on expanded educational efforts at these sites, including the addition of informational brochures and guided wildflower walks at the Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary. In addition, seed collection efforts will be increased to provide additional nectar species seed for planting at restoration sites throughout the District.

A month after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, workers are clearing out hazardous fuels on the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest.

With $919,280 of stimulus funding through an existing agreement with Oregon Department of Forestry, the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) started a 12-person crew on the first of 1,400 acres. DFPA anticipates hiring another crew in the next week.

Douglas County was identified as one of six counties in Oregon meeting several indicators of extreme unemployment. The Forest Service sent a total of $1,997,000 of stimulus funding to Douglas County as a way to put people back to work.

The pre-commercial thinning work is tackling a big backlog of crowded forest stands on the Tiller District. Bob Danskin, a silviculturist with the Forest Service, explained that in addition to providing jobs, the thinning work will give the remaining trees plenty of room to grow while reducing the risk of fire in areas near private property.

The forest thinning work near Tiller is one of several similar projects scattered across the Forest. Contractors from Grayback Forestry and DL Reforestation companies indicate they will bring back crews earlier than usual and hire new employees to meet the workload on the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts.

The Forest Service anticipates advertising and awarding additional projects with the next phase of economic stimulus funds expected in the next several weeks.

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 with the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas presented Mike with a plaque and letter of commendation for his outstanding efforts in the partnership between TNC and the Forest.

Mike's efforts on behalf of TNC can be highlighted by the Shawnee National Forest's recent acquisition of two tracts of land, totaling approximately 221 acres, in Union County, Illinois. The most recent acquisitions bring the total to approximately 766 acres purchased from TNC as a result of the Forest working directly with Mike Baltz since 2004. We continue to work toward the acquisition of two additional tracts of land, totaling approximately 164 acres from TNC.

Mike Baltz' personal efforts working with local landowners and Forest Service staff played a major role in the successful relationships between the public, the Forest and TNC. The result of his exceptional people skills and hard work will be the long-lasting effects of more than 930 acres being acquired by the Forest in the ecologically significant Illinois Ozarks.

The lands acquired from TNC provide benefits to the wildlife and plant species inhabiting the Forest, as well as to the visiting public who comes to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities offered on the Shawnee National Forest. Partnerships like these are one way the Forest works to protect ecosystems across boundaries.

In May, 2007 the State of New Hampshire proposed an exchange of the Sentinel Mountain State Forest for 100 acres of National Forest System lands adjacent to a state-owned ski area. The State hoped to acquire the lands adjacent to the Cannon Mountain Ski Area in hopes of incorporating the network of remnant ski trails at the long-dormant Mittersill Ski Area located on the White Mountain National Forest. The high elevation lands at Mittersill contained long-abandoned ski trails as well as important habitat for the Bicknell's thrush, a species of concern to State and Forest biologists.

In exchange, the State offered the Sentinel Mountain State Forest, a working forest that included one of New Hampshire's few sections of non-USFS administered sections of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The exchange seemed to have promise, but both federal and state biologists were committed to formalizing the future protection of the Bicknell's thrush habitat on Mittersill before the exchange was considered in further detail. Forest personnel met with state biologists, foresters, the ski area manager and scientists from New Hampshire Audubon. Because the thrush is a neotropical migrant, all agreed that winter skiing activity posed little threat to the thrush population who would be enjoying warmer climes thousands of miles to the south. Yet, protecting the extent of the habitat that would welcome the returning birds was of utmost concern.

Working with a commitment to balance habitat protection and winter recreation opportunities, biologists, lands, and ski area personnel rolled up their sleeves and embarked on a quest to find a win-win for all concerned. The State, NH Audubon, and the White Mountain National Forest relied on cornerstones of mutual respect and a firm commitment to resource protection. Together they developed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides winter recreation opportunities on the network of abandoned ski trails and prevents expansion of any new trails into the surrounding habitat. Summer operations, monitoring protocols, continuing cooperation and funding are each addressed in the agreement.

Upon implementation of the exchange, the dormant ski trails were acquired by the State and incorporated into Cannon Mountain Ski Area. The State will fund NH Audubon to monitor the population and habitat of the thrush according to agreed-upon protocols. The Forest will participate in an advisory role and results of the monitoring will be made available to the public.

Concurrently, the isolated State-owned segment of the Appalachian Trail and the balance of the Sentinel State Forest were transferred to the federal government as part of the White Mountain National Forest. The Trail segment will be administered in concert with the abutting segments and the balance of the former State Forest will be managed for a variety of resources.

The exchange and vital partnership was celebrated in the Governor's chambers in March 2009. Several days later approximately 500 skiers attended the official re-opening of Mittersill. The Memorandum of Agreement provides the important framework for this partnership and documents the critical federal/state/non-government/public cooperation for management of the people's lands and resources. When the snows come to New Hampshire in 2010, skiers will enjoy the re-opened trails at Mittersill, the AT map will reflect more consistent ownership and administration, and the Bicknell's thrush at Mittersill will enjoy habitat protection long into the future.

Several years ago a group of students and teachers were contacted while winter camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). It soon became clear that some of their travel and camping techniques were damaging to the land and against BWCAW rules. This one class turned out to be an Outdoor Adventures Program containing four schools of a Minneapolis district.

In response to this, two wilderness rangers, Brandee Wenzel and Dan Disch, developed a program to teach proper winter backcountry travel and camping techniques. Wenzel and Disch visit the classrooms shortly before the planned trips. This year, the program's third, they spoke to approximately 400 students. 200 of these students recently visited the Boundary Waters and put their skills to use.

Based on first-hand observations the high school seniors are implementing great "Leave No Trace" skills and developing strong land ethics that will help them be stewards of tomorrow.

Shawnee National Forest's cooperative fire agreements with fifteen local fire departments and districts are successful in providing assistance fighting wildland fires across boundaries. The Forest's wildland firefighting resources have been responding efficiently and effectively supporting wildland firefighting efforts within the jurisdictions of the participating agencies.

Williamson County Fire Chief Don Swiatkowski was talking about a forty acre brush fire in February 2009, near the Lake of Egypt when he said, "Three agencies worked in unison to extinguish this fire. Unified command does work!" He went on to thank the Forest firefighters for their efforts in training local structure firemen in wildland fire suppression. The joint efforts kept this fire from spreading to homes and other structures in the area.

In March 2009, an overturned semi truck caught on fire in Saline County, Illinois. The fire spread to nearby grass fields by winds gusting up to 40 mph. In all, eight fire departments from four counties responded to the fire. Saline County Sheriff Keith Brown said, "The U. S. Forest Service responded to the fire with a bull dozer, which quickly aided in slowing the fire." By the time the fire was extinguished, approximately 160 acres of grass fields and trees had been burnt, however, even though the fire was close to them no houses were damaged.

These are just two examples of the eighteen wildland fires totaling 389 acres the Shawnee National Forest fire crews have assisted local fire departments and districts with since entering into the cooperative fire agreements. Without the agreements, the Forest's resources would not have been available to help fight these wildland fires, perhaps resulting in additional acres burned and structures damaged or destroyed.

Forest's Fire Management Officer Chris Peterson working with the local fire departments and districts has resulted in a more effective and efficient way to respond to wildland fires and protect ecosystems across boundaries.

March 17, 2009, marked one month since President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act(ARRA)and the award of two contracts by the Deschutes National Forest to put forty people to work reducing hazardous fuels in Central Oregon. Six days later, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests awarded two more contracts to hire another one hundred people.

These crews will work on the Crooked River National Grassland in Jefferson County, and near Sisters, Bend, and LaPine in Deschutes County to reduce the hazardous fuels of wildfires. The work awarded so far amounts to approximately three million dollars worth of contracted work on the land.

Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties in Central Oregon are three of the six counties with the highest increases in unemployment rates recorded recently in the state of Oregon. When the first ten million dollars of economic stimulus funds were allocated to the Forest Service in Oregon, close to five million dollars were designated to put people to work in Central Oregon. The Forest Service is to award approximately $ 1,997,000 in contracted work in Deschutes County; $ 1,997,000 in Jefferson County; and $ 970,000 in Crook County.

Crews are already beginning to work for Melcher Logging Incorporated of Sweet Home, Oregon on thinning and biomass removal work at the Head Thin Project in Jefferson County on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. This contract was a $ 1,471,740 award putting approximately twenty people to work across 3,200 acres.

The week of March 23 another twenty people, employed by the Quicksilver Contracting Company of Bend, Oregon, began lower elevation thinning work across 3,630 acres in the Bend Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest in Deschutes County. This contract award was for $402,582.

On March 23, two more contracts were awarded for approximately one hundred people to thin and hand pile hazardous fuels in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties. PatRick Contracting of Redmond, Oregon will hire approximately sixty people to thin and pile juniper on the Crooked River Grassland in Jefferson County across 1,939 acres. This award was for $ 421,960.

Another award for $ 412,322 was made to GFP Contracting of Sisters, Oregon for work on the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction (SAFR) Project. Work begins on 502 acres of the Deschutes National Forest near homes that have been evacuated during large wildfires in recent years. GFP will hire approximately forty persons to do the work. Approximately two million dollars more will be awarded to contractors in coming weeks as project areas become free of snow.

For more information, contact Sue Olson, 541.383.5561.

January 10, 2009, almost 200 outdoor enthusiasts (young and old alike) took advantage of the balmy temps, blue skies, and brilliant sunshine to ski and snowshoe at the Rapid River National Cross Country Ski Trail and celebrate National Winter Trails Day. Although National Winter Trails Day has been celebrated for 14 years, this was the first Winter Trails Day on the Hiawatha National Forest.

Sponsored by Brampton Bike and Ski, the Delta County YMCA, and the Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District, Winter Trails Day was designed to encourage folks to get outdoors and enjoy nearby trails. Brampton Bike brought a van load of skis, poles, boots, and snowshoes for youngsters and adults alike, which were available free of charge. Mike Williams, owner of Brampton Bike, and Bill Leveille, volunteer groomer, outfitted participants with the proper gear while Ted Schiltz took groups out onto the trail to teach them the fundamentals of cross country skiing. Others donned shiny new aluminum snowshoes and headed out onto the 1.3 mile snowshoe trail, decorated with fresh snow for the event.

Hot soup and cocoa, cookies, donuts, and a bonfire awaited participants when they returned. Laughter and smiles were the order of the day: everyone seemed to have a great time, and many of the first-timers commented that they planned to try the sports again.

Williams was pleased with how smoothly the event ran and noted that many of those who pre-registered had skied or snowshoed years prior but were anxious to try newer equipment. He was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the event and is already anxious to participate in next year's second annual Winter Trails Day at Rapid River!

Michelle Bowers of Rapid River brought her daughter Anna and friend Sara DeZeeuw, along with Sara's mom Jen to the trail for the afternoon. Anna, who has been cross country skiing since she was 3, was excited to have her friend Sara try skiing for the first time. Both girls had tons of fun skiing and enjoyed the campfire, cookies, and hot chocolate. Skiing was such a positive experience for Sara's family that they purchased cross country ski equipment the next week! And Anna is thrilled that she now has someone her size to ski with!

Bowers went on to say that "the event was a wonderful way to encourage people to get outdoors and discover how fun and enjoyable it can be to stay fit and have fun in the winter! Many people do not realize the outstanding beauty and excellent trail system we have at the Rapid River Ski Trail. It was a great opportunity for those without skis or snowshoes to see if they might like it. And thanks to Mike at Brampton Bike and Ski for providing the equipment!"

The District was pleased to add this new event to its menu of "Leave No Child Inside" programs. Other youth programs which are designed to get kids connected with the outdoors include Kids Fishing Day (which attracts approximately 300 kids each summer and has been running for 18 years), Youth Conservation Corps crew (6 years running, employing 6 high school kids each summer), Pocket Park (6 years running which attracted 1200 kids in 2008), and our Kids in the Woods program which was initiated in 2008.

The District staff supports the Chief's focus of reconnecting kids with the outdoors and is committed to helping kids develop an appreciation for the National Forests.

"Centennial Green: The Over and Understory of the U.S. Forest Service in Song" is a historical musical developed and written by Warren Nelson of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. The musical was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service. Through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Nelson was supplied with historical materials, photos, songs, photographs and films. These items, along with a road trip through many national forests, provided the inspiration to tell the story and pay tribute to the men and women who care for 193 million acres of public forests and grasslands of the United States.

The performance, by Big Top's own Blue Canvas Orchestra, incorporates songs, readings, skits, scenic images and historic film footage. Centennial Green debuted under Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua's 900-seat tent theatre in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and became a part of their many original productions. The show was also performed before live audiences at USDA's Jefferson Theatre in Washington, DC, and other venues throughout the Midwest.

Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV) expressed an interest in recording the show to broadcast in their 11-county viewing area. In light of this, Centennial Green was filmed by MPTV in high-definition before a live audience at Milwaukee's historic Pabst Theatre in April of 2007. Award winning U.S. Forest Service videographers Dave Steinke and Steve Dunsky teamed with MPTV to produce the movie Centennial Green and provide project direction.

Centennial Green debuted on MPTV and Midwest affiliate PBS stations in 2008, and is now being released to PBS and National Educational Telecommunications Stations nation-wide in March 2009.

Viewers interested in watching this show should check local PBS station broadcast schedules for dates and times. Copies of the Centennial Green high-definition DVD are also available for purchase at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua by calling 888-244-8368 or online at www.bigtop.org.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest continues to use a technique to restore critical habitats in its lakes.

In the last 15 years, scientists have studied and realized the importance large trees have on all aquatic species, and the benefits of large woody material in lakes have been well documented. When there are few large trees along a lakes shoreline it becomes a challenge to get natural recruitment of large trees into a lake. Thus, it has long been discussed, "how do we get trees into lakes in a cost effective, safe, and environmentally friendly way."

In the past, the Forest Service has used winches, bulldozers, ATV's, and helicopters to get trees into lakes and rivers because the biologists and technicians understand the importance of this habitat component for a healthy fish community. Skidders have historically been used to "get the cut out," not necessarily restore fish habitat.

During the first half of February 2009, cable logging skidders were used to placed 165 whole trees on to the ice of Archibald and Waubee Lakes in northeast Wisconsin to restore fish habitat. A colder than normal winter found the lakes froze to 22 inches thick, considered more than safe for equipment operation.

Before the small, lightweight skidders were brought in, Forest Service employees used chainsaws to cut and strategically fell the trees so that the cable skidders could get to them and drag them out of the woods. The trees were cut from a mature hardwood forest and a red pine plantation 3/4 to 2 1/2 miles away from the lake, and were dragged out of the woods to the frozen lakes via boat landings and several other easily accessible locations.

The trees were placed on the ice next to shore in groups of two's or three's, and crisscrossed to resemble a log-jam, which adds more complex structure to the lake. All the trees were placed perpendicular to the shore to make the project appear as natural as possible. Once the ice melts and the trees settle in, it should look like the trees just fell into the lake.

Although this project's main intent was to enhance and restore physical structure to the lake to benefit the fishery, it will also benefit reptiles (turtles), amphibians (salamanders and frogs), birds (ducks, kingfisher, great blue heron) and furbearers (muskrat, otter, mink).

A lot of support and help was received from Forest Service employees and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologists in Northeast Wisconsin. The Lake Associations were major players in completing these projects. One of the Associations really stepped up to the plate and contributed financially. Combined, they contributed about 300 hours in volunteer effort by giving of their time to help coordinate and implement the projects. There was a lot of behind the scenes work that needed to be done before any trees could be cut or moved with the skidders. It was truly a win-win partnership with all parties bring to the table their expertise, talents, efforts and money. This type of project is gaining popularity and support among the State of Wisconsin Fisheries Biologists and Technicians. The Forest is planning on completing similar projects like these on other lakes over the next several years.

For more information contact Tom Moris at (715) 674-4481

In partnership with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), The Mark Twain National Forest has been able to trap (remove) 111 feral hogs from natioanl forest lands this year.

It is estimated there are approximately 10,000 feral hogs in the State of Missouri and according to Larry Furniss, Feral Hog Coordinator for the Forest Service, approximately 50% of these can be found in the Mark Twain National Forest.

The Feral Hog is a non-native invasive species that has adapted to the Missouri landscape, especially in the rugged terrain of the Ozarks. The goal of the Forest is to eradicate all feral hogs on national forest lands due to the fact that even in small numbers feral hogs are harmful. Their habit of rooting for food contributes to soil erosion and reduces plant diversity. They compete for food against native wildlife, such as deer, and they devour the eggs of ground-nesting birds such as quail and turkeys. They can transmit potentially devastating veterinary diseases, such as pseudorabies and brucellosis, as well as maladies that affect humans, including leptospirosis.

Through an interagency agreement with APHIS, a new removal strategy was employed, that of trapping the hogs. The new strategey replaced the hunting-based one under which the hogs had multiplied.

The low water concrete box ford at the junction of Forest Road (FR) 2236 and West Fork of the Black River was identified by the Forest Fisheries Biologist as a barrier to the upstream movement of native fish.

Therefore, the existing Sutton Bluff Low Water Crossing was replaced with a new fish friendly low water concrete structure. The new structure reduces water velocity and permits the natural migration and movement of fish and other aquatic organisms up stream during low flow conditions.

The new bridge is designed to be overtopped by water during rain storm events. The bridge does not have a concrete bottom; the stream channel acts as the bottom.

Wayne National Forest biologists have teamed up with partners once again to improve fishing opportunities on the Ironton District. This winter, biologists worked with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the Lawrence County Solid Waste District and the Ashland Federal Prison Inmate Crew to collect and bundle discarded Christmas trees. The Lawrence County Solid Waste district collected Christmas trees from drop-off points throughout the county during the month of January. The trees were brought to Timbre Ridge Lake, where they were tied into bundles and weighted with cinder blocks by natural resource Technician, Eddie Park, with help from the Ashland Federal Prison Camp Inmate Crew. These bundles were then placed in Timbre Ridge Lake on February 26th to improve fish habitat and fishing opportunities for local sportsmen. The Ohio Division of Wildlife provided two boats and four people to ferry the tree bundles to the drop sites located around the lake. Approximately 200 recycled Christmas trees were submerged in the lake, improving habitat for bass, bluegill, and a variety of other species that will use the tree reefs for hiding, resting, feeding and spawning. Biologists are planning to spend another day at Timbre Ridge Lake with Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries managers, dropping shoreline trees to further improve fish habitat and fishing opportunities around the lake.

Biologists on the Ironton district have also been working to improve fishing in several ponds in the Hanging Rock Recreation Area. These ponds were created during mining activities that occurred prior to Forest Service acquisition. Because of their construction and the surrounding landscape, many of these ponds have little natural woody structure. Biologists have been adding woody structure to the ponds by dropping shoreline trees into the ponds using a chainsaw. Trees for felling were chosen by a biologist, and included only live trees of common species, such as sycamore, silver maple and white and shortleaf pine. We expect these trees to be popular hangouts for both fish and the many fishermen who enjoy the Hanging Rock ponds.

As part of an Eastern Region FY08 Native Plant Funding proposal, the Hoosier National Forest began the creation of a native plant pollinator garden at the Tell City Ranger District Office. On a hot and humid mid-summer August day, ranger district personnel joined together to clear grass sod and then place over 400 container stock plants in the ground before the heat of the day.

The twenty different plant species had recently arrived from a local native plant nursery. Earlier in the morning, staff from the Brownstown Ranger District had loaded the one gallon-sized plants in trucks for the two hour drive south to the Tell City Ranger District.

Fire fighters took the lead in clearing sod in a manner of minutes with the use of shovels and pulaskis. With the advice and direction of Forest Soil Scientist Zach Rigg, other members of the ecosystem planning staff and recreation department put the plants in close proximity to one another in roughly one-half of the garden to prevent the establishment of "weedy plants."

Next, Forest Botanist Kirk W. Larson transplanted blazingstar, mountain mint, and wild bergamot to the garden from plants growing at the pre-existing Hoosier National Forest native seed nursery. Lastly, the placement of another 490 plug-sized native plants consisting of eight more species, along with adding mulch and topsoil, occurred in the remaining portion of the garden to complete the work done in 2008.

All of the species selected for inclusion in the garden are native to southern Indiana and are readily used by local pollinator species. The bulk of the species are "prairie-like" plants that typically occur in barrens and/or dry forest plant communities found on the Hoosier National Forest. These mid-summer to early autumn plants include purple and yellow coneflower, two species of blazingstar, asters, butterfly weed, tall coreopsis, prairie dock, rattlesnake master. Intermixed among these species are other plants that typically grow in more moist conditions such as great blue lobelia, obedient plant, foxglove beardtongue, golden Alexanders, purple meadow rue, Culver's root, columbine, wild bergamot, and black-eyed susan. These plants provided a brilliant display of colors to mid October 2008.

Forest Recreation Specialist Stacy Duke designed a large 24 inch by 28-inch interpretive sign for the garden emphasizing the importance of native plants that support native pollinator species. In 2009, the Forest will install interpretive signs and species' labels to provide visitors with informative details about the plants in the garden. Other work planned for 2009 includes moving some of the larger plants from the dense portion of the garden to other sparse areas, as well as expansion of the garden. In subsequent years, Forest Service personnel will collect seed from the garden for use in restoration and revegetation projects on the Forest.

Visitors can come by to view a wide number of species in a small space to get ideas on how they may want to plant their own native plant garden to attract butterflies and other native pollinators. After getting familiar with these plants, the Hoosier National Forest encourages the public to see other Indiana wildflower viewing areas listed for the Boone Creek and Clover Lick Special Areas and learn more about barrens communities. Directions on how to visit these rare plant communities are available from staff at the adjacent Tell City Ranger District Office (812-547-7051).

The history of land use on the Ironton Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest has left a legacy that is evident today. Part of that legacy is reclaimed strip mine lands, large open grasslands that would not have occurred in southern Ohio prior to European settlement. These lands are an anomaly within a heavily wooded landscape, and provide grassland habitat that did not occur here historically. Although these abandoned mine lands are not a "natural" part of the landscape, they provide habitat for grassland birds, many of which are declining throughout their ranges.

Currently, the majority of these areas are dominated by non-native species such as fescue and lespedeza. Some of our strip mine areas already support small breeding populations of bobwhite quail and other grassland dependant species, including Henslow's sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, and prairie warblers. However, habitat for these grassland birds could be significantly improved in these areas by converting the existing vegetation to native warm-season grasses and forbs, which provide more suitable forage and cover.

In 2008, biologists on the Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest identified priority reclaimed strip mine areas that are known to support small populations of bobwhite quail and Henslow's sparrows. Three large fields in the Brady Run area, totaling 22 acres, were selected for conversion from non-native species such as fescue and Chinese lespedeza to a mix of native warm season grasses and forbs. The Ironton district botanist worked with technicians, the federal prison camp crew and volunteers to collect local genotype seeds of native grasses and forbs. These seeds were combined with seeds collected by contract from local sources to provide the seed for this project. Quail Forever provided $800 for herbicide to prepare the areas for planting. The Ohio Division of Wildlife provided equipment and technicians to brush hog and spray the planting areas. The Division of Wildlife also planted the native grass seeds with no-till seed drills. In January 2009, Wayne biologists and technicians went back to the sites to frost-seed forbs over the planted areas with an ATV-mounted seed slinger.

The planted areas will likely take several years to become fully established. Once the native grasses and forbs become established, these areas will provide much-needed habitat for declining grassland birds. Ironton district wildlife biologist Kari Kirschbaum noted that one of the breeding bird survey routes runs through the planting areas. "I expect to see an increase in the number of Henslow's sparrows, a regional forester sensitive species, as well as other less-common grassland birds over the next several years," she noted.

Chris Smith, DOW Wildlife Area Manager oversees the Division of Wildlife crew that did the mowing, spraying and planting. He noted that the Division of Wildlife has seen notable success with similar projects on their wildlife areas. "On one of our management areas, we have converted hundreds of acres of fescue and lespedeza to native grasses. Where we have implemented this management, we have seen quail populations thrive. I hope to see similar success with this project on the Wayne. They have large areas that would be suitable to this type of management, where they could make a positive impact on grassland bird populations."

The Ironton District of the Wayne encompasses several thousand acres of reclaimed strip mine, most of which is currently in non-native vegetation. Ironton district biologists see this as great potential for high-impact habitat improvement, and hope to find funding for additional fescue conversion.

This past fall, the Wayne National Forest completed restoration of a 25-acre field to a complex of emergent and ephemeral wetlands. The project was accomplished through the cooperation of multiple partners who contributed both to the design and the funding of the project.

The Whitaker Wetland Restoration Project restored a 25-acre field to a complex of emergent and ephemeral wetlands that mimic the natural oxbows and shallow, scour-pool wetlands that historically occurred on the tract. To restore the area, we used an innovative design that addresses many of the maintenance costs and issues associated with traditional wetland restorations. This project restored rare and highly valuable wetland bird habitat in a state that has lost more than 90 percent of its wetlands since European settlement.

Many typical wetland restorations, including previous restorations on the Wayne National Forest, have been implemented by constructing high, steep-sided levees that surround a field, creating one large pool. These levees look unnatural, and are very costly to maintain because they are vulnerable to failure due to tree roots, muskrat damage, beaver management issues (e.g. plugged inlet/outlet pipes) and water control structure leaks. The deep pools created by this style of levee often support introduced fish, which significantly degrade the quality of habitat for ducks and herpetiles. The Whitaker wetland restoration implements a new design that addresses many of the above issues that are associated with older wetland restorations. The Whitaker wetland complex was designed as a series of natural looking pools similar to what likely occurred on the landscape prior to drainage efforts by early settlers. These shallow, natural-appearing wetlands pools will eventually provide a variety of wetland communities including open water, emergent wetland, mud flats, shrub-scrub and wooded wetlands. The low levees (generally no higher than 2.5 feet) with very shallow side slopes (20:1) visually blend into the surrounding ground, giving the field the appearance of having always been there. The shallow side slopes can support trees without risk of levee failure, and will not require annual maintenance by mowing. These low levees and shallow slopes will also deter tunneling muskrats, further reducing maintenance needs. The bottom of one of the wetland pool areas was shaped during construction to include tip-up mounds that will be planted to trees to facilitate development of a wooded wetland, further mimicking the conditions that likely occurred on the site prior to clearing and drainage by early settlers.

The Whitaker Wetland Restoration Project was accomplished by attracting multiple partners to the project. Kari Kirschbaum, Ironton District Wildlife Biologist and project leader, completed NEPA and design work, recruited partners, applied for grants and oversaw construction. Eddie Park, Wildlife Technician, monitored construction and did much of the survey work. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited and National Wild Turkey Federation each contributed funds, totaling $22,000, toward construction costs. Tom Biebighauser of the Forest Service San Dimas Technology & Development Center and the Daniel Boone National Forest helped design the project and supervise construction. Local partners, including the Ashland Federal Prison Camp and the West Virginia Native Plant Society committed over $8,000 in volunteer labor to monitor and install nest boxes, plant trees, and seed and mulch the levees.

Over the past decade, the Forest Service and its partners have restored 160 acres of wetland habitat on the Wayne National Forest. The Whitaker Wetland Restoration project is an example of our adaptive management efforts - learning from past restoration efforts and experimenting with new ideas. Our restoration costs have decreased over time, and habitat quality at these restored sites has increased as evidenced by species assemblages using the wetlands and by the vegetation index of biotic integrity data we have collected.

Today, less than 20 percent of the bottomland hardwood forests remain in the lower Mississippi valley. Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir is a key piece of wetland habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl at the northern terminus of the valley and provides habitat for an incredible diversity of other animal and plant species.

Oakwood Bottoms is known for its greentree reservoirs and its important Pin Oak acorn production. However, the creation of moist-soil units in the mid 1990's brought even more diversity to Oakwood Bottoms. Since then, we have perfected the management of these units for maximum yield of moist-soil plant seed and maximum usage by wildlife. A moist soil unit is an open area that is manipulated with water to promote natural herbaceous (non-woody) moist-soil plant growth. Moist-soil units, when managed properly, are an essential provider of cover and a variety of food sources, from invertebrates to seeds and vegetation, for migrating waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. These moist soil habitats provide resources that supplement those provided by the greentree reservoirs. The ducks in these pictures are spending some time in the Oakwood Bottoms' moist-soil units in early March. This is the time in their yearly cycle that they are pairing up and feeding on high-protein invertebrates and high-energy seeds; essential resources to get back to their breeding and nesting grounds in good condition for successful clutch production - number of eggs hatched.

The wetland management of Oakwood Bottoms, Big Muddy Wetlands and the Middle Mississippi Floodplain on the Shawnee National Forest provides critical habitat for waterfowl as they make their journey south to their wintering grounds and back north in the spring to their breeding grounds.

Thanks to the efforts of our Shawnee wildlife biologists and technicians, we continue to be successful at preserving, restoring, and managing our thriving wetlands and walk the talk of sustainability.

On the Huron National Forest, employees worked alongside Conservation Huron Pines Resources Conservation and Development Council, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited (TU) to improve fish habitat. Improvement work was done on 53 miles of stream and 800 acres of lakes. Fisheries inventory work was completed on another 20 miles of streams and 1,680 acres of lake.

Restoration projects included: placing whole trees in the Au Sable River to enhance fish cover and riparian habitat; and replacing a portion of the downed trees removed during the logging era - this large wood restoration project used a heavy-lift helicopter to place trees in log jams. Huron Pines and TU also joined the Forest Service in completing the Claybanks stabilization project. Other riparian improvements on the Au Sable included the physical removal and herbicide treatment of garlic mustard, a non-native invasive species, below Foote Dam. Consumers Energy joined the Forest Service in this cooperative venture.

Numerous actions addressed recreational fishing opportunities on inland lakes on the Huron National Forests. A northern pike population assessment was done to determine whether it is large enough to support a spawning marsh operation. Fishing opportunities on several other lakes were enhanced through the stocking of fish by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Multiple benefits came out of this improvement work including a continued emphasis on connecting kids with the out-of-doors. The Forest once again co-hosted A Kids Fishing Day during Michigan's Free Fishing weekend at Mio Pond. The event brought over 50 kids outdoors to participate in hands-on fun and projects while learning about stewardship of natural resources. Joining the Forest Service in hosting this event were the Boy Scouts of America, Mio Lions Club, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Jigs Up Bait and Tackle.

Wildlife Biologists and Technicians of the Baldwin-White Cloud, Cadillac-Manistee, Huron Shores, Mio Ranger Districts and the Forest Supervisor's Office of the Huron-Manistee National Forest (HMNF) were honored with the prestigious "Making Tracks with the Forest Service" National Award at the National Wild Turkey Federation's 33rd Annual Convention, held February 19 - 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The HMNF Wildlife Biologists' Group was recognized for "outstanding cooperative Habitat Management Program accomplishments." The National Award acknowledges 20 years of collaboration with Michigan National Wild Turkey Federation chapters, citing strong partnerships with many local landowners and local, State and Federal agencies to accomplish exemplary wildlife habitat improvement projects.

Since 1989, the partnership between Huron-Manistee National Forest, Michigan's National Wild Turkey Federation(NWTF) chapters, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources(MDNR) has applied hundreds of thousands of cost-shared dollars to improving thousands of acres of habitat for wild turkey, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, golden-winged and chestnut-sided warblers, and many other wildlife species.

These cooperative projects provide a wide spectrum of habitat improvements, especially through re-establishment and maintenance of openings used for mating displays and brood-rearing, like those periodically created naturally by wildfire, wind-throw and drought.

Prescribed burning, shrub and grass planting, and waterhole development techniques provide habitats for many wildlife species.

College Wildlife and Natural Resources classes regularly visit these habitat improvement areas, as do forest management groups, other Forest partners, and visitors. Project areas are identified with signs recognizing the creative cooperative partnership between the National Forest and NWTF, MDNR, and other partners.

The Huron and Manistee National Forests, dedicated in 1909 and 1938, respectively, comprise nearly a million acres of public land across the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Some 550,000 people live in counties that make up the Forests, and 60 million people live within a day's drive, many of whom treasure the hunting, fishing, camping, and other recreational opportunities these beautiful Forests offer.

Michigan's NWTF chapters have contributed more than $1.5 million to habitat improvements across the State, resulting in improvements to nearly 58,000 acres in Michigan. NWTF volunteers have raised and spent nearly $2.9 million on cooperative habitat enhancements, wild turkey research, law enforcement, and "Wheelin Sportsmen," "Jakes," and "Women in the Outdoors" outreach programs that encourage new participants in outdoor sports.

Black hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii, is classified as a Regional Forester's Sensitive and Michigan special concern plant. There is a documented population of this shrub just north of the Ottawa National Forest boundary, but no documented sites on the Forest. The Ottawa Botany Program obtained permission to collect fruits from the documented site. Seeds were extracted and plants raised at the J.W. Toumey Forest Service Nursery.

When the plants were large enough to transplant, in September 2008, about 60 seedlings were planted in sunny to partially shady locations around the Black River Harbor day use area. This area was selected since the shrubs are generally found close to Lake Superior, when they occur in the Ottawa National Forest vicinity. The planting also coincides with efforts to maintain plant species diversity and resilience at the Harbor by ongoing treatments to control the non-native invasive glossy buckthorn.

Seedlings were mulched with straw to help them withstand harsh winter winds and snow, and brush was piled near each seedling to discourage deer herbivory. If all goes well, the seedlings will develop into a sustainable population at the Harbor, thereby increasing longterm viability for this uncommon shrub.

The Ottawa National Forest Botany Program developed a brochure describing eight non-native invasive species which threaten the health and integrity of Sylvania Wilderness, an 18,400-acre area of lakes and woods, popular with canoeists and hikers. The brochure includes descriptions and photos of garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, European swamp thistle, Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, spotted knapweed, rusty crayfish and exotic earthworms. The brochure also discusses effects of invasive species and provides steps visitors can take to help protect the Wilderness.

The brochures were printed with financial assistance from the Ottawa Interpretive Association. Brochures are distributed at the entrance station to the Wilderness as well as at the Forest Visitor Center, Ranger District offices, and by members of the Western Upper Peninsula Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area during their outreach programs. The brochures are successfully raising awareness of visitor effects on invasive species.

As part of the Eastern Region's project to develop native plant and pollinator gardens at National Forest administrative sites, the Ottawa National Forest Botany Program developed a new garden in summer and fall 2008. At the Bergland Cultural/Heritage Center, a former Ranger Station now operated as a cultural center under partnership, an approximately 450 square-foot garden was established. Adjacent to large maple trees, this garden showcases sun and shade-tolerant perennial shrubs, ferns, forbs and grasses. Over 35 species of native plants were seeded or established as transplants. Center volunteers did much of the planting as well as watering, installing edging, and placing mulch. The Center has also added a trail, bird bath, benches and bird feeders. Interpretive signs are planned, including large signs discussing pollinators and native plants, and small signs to label plant species groupings.

The Ottawa Botany Program is also working on a garden project with the co-located J. W. Toumey Nursery, converting three acres of red pine and developed land to native graminoid seed production islands in a matrix of native plantings. Taller shrubs and trees will be used to screen the Nursery's tree production fields from public view, while the native garden will be open for visitors.

The Botany Program is also developing a rain garden at the Forest Visitor Center/District office complex. The garden is designed to treat water runoff from roofs and pavement. Trees have been cleared and the site design completed. Implementation work will begin in spring 2009 with construction of a berm, site preparation, and planting.

The gardens, along with two gardens installed previously at Ottawa National Forest administrative sites, provide visitors a chance to see how native plants can be used in developed landscapes as well as providing seed sources for other revegetation projects, and wildlife habitat and pollinator waystations. The brightly colored butterflies, bees and flowers provide a lovely sight in mid- summer for all to enjoy.

The Ottawa National Forest, North Woods Native Plant Society, and Michigan Botanical Club held a weekend series of field trips to botanical hotspots in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan in July 2008. The trips included venues on the Ottawa and the adjacent Porcupine Mountains State Park, such as the Trap Hills, Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness and the Ontonagon River. Habitats explored included rock outcrops and cliffs, wetlands, large river systems, a recent clay landslide, waterfalls, and northern hardwoods. A dozen trip choices were offered, as well as an evening slide show. Over thirty people came from across Michigan and Wisconsin to see some of the exceptional habitats and rare plants of the western Upper Peninsula. Field trip leaders included Ottawa botanists, botanists from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and local experts. The Ottawa National Forest archeologist assisted with one trip that included heritage resources.

Highlights of the trip included seeing rare plants such as woodland pinedrops, fairy bells, Goldies' woodfern, evening campion (only recently discovered in Michigan, on the Ottawa), Canadian milk-vetch, western monkey flower, and others. Botanists enjoyed the chance to see new plants, learn identification tips, enjoy spectacular scenery, take photographs, and visit with colleagues. The foray was enjoyed by all and increased awareness of botanical resources in the western Upper Peninsula.

In December of 2008, StubHub, the World's largest ticket marketplace, launched its "Tickets for Trees" program, an effort to plant a tree for every ticket purchased on StubHub for the 2008-9 NFL post season. In partnership with the National Forest Foundation, all tickets that were purchased through StubHub for the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff games benefited the nearby Allegheny National Forest.

6,000 oak and other hardwood seedlings will be planted in the Allegheny National Forest this Spring. The newly planted trees will benefit forest areas hit by disease and insect outbreaks, and a need to restore oak to the forest to benefit wildlife.

Other areas in the Nation are also benefitting from this program including national forests in Arizona, New York, Florida, California, Tennessee, Minnesota, and North Carolina. To date, the Tickets for Trees program will account for more than 45,000 trees being planed in National Forests nationwide. The newly planted tress will restore environmental processes, improve water quality and benefit wildlife. An estimated 20,000 tons of carbon will be sequestered, thus reducing the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

The National Forest Foundation works to conserve, restore, and enhance America's 193-million acre National Forest System. StubHub is one of its many partners.

A large wildflower patch was established at the Rochester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) several years ago. Over the years, many visitors have commented on the beautiful wildflowers and number of bees visiting the garden. This year we began removing non-native plants, with the goal of eventually having all native species, with educational signs.

Adjacent to this, a new garden was started to display native plants of northern hardwoods forests. The site was prepared, several species were planted, and a shading structure was erected to protect the plants until suitable shade is established by newly planted trees.

To further develop the native plant program on the GMNF, we initiated formation of the Northeast Native Seed Initiative, a group of about 15 organizations from New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine who are interested in developing an ongoing supply of seeds of native species of local genotypes. A species list was developed, and preliminary plans for collecting and multiplying seeds have been discussed.

Many partners, both internal and external, have supported the garden projects. From within the Forest, support has been provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) technicians and the Eastern Region Winter Sports Team, as well as by seasonal botany staff. External partners include two Master Gardeners and one local volunteer. In addition, the staff members from local USFWS have asked us to work with them to develop their own garden at the White River National Fish Hatchery.

A Sugar maple harvested from the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont will help hold up the roof of the new National Museum of Forest Service History, under construction in Missoula, Montana. Timber from Bennington County will represent Vermont and be one of a few dozen logs from across the United States to stand in the Museum. The overall goal was to collect timbers from different parts of the country to help tell the story of the role of the National Forests in the development of our country.

"It was great collaboration between one of our timber sale purchasers, our sale administration team, Forest Service Retirees, and local volunteers," said Green Mountain National Forest Silviculturist Chris Casey. He and the Forest timber staff worked with volunteers, timber owners, and purchasers from Vermont and New Hampshire who volunteered to produce, mill, and truck the log to be used for the project.

Vermont's donated tree is estimated to be more than 100 years old and comes from an area once cleared for farming, now reverted back to forest. The maple log for the museum was selected from the Snow Valley Timber Sale near Bromley Mountain Ski Area in the town of Winhall. It was harvested in one of the several National Forest timber sales Alan Plumb operates in the towns of Winhall and Weston.

The tree needed to be sound; minimum 18 inch diameter with four clear sides reasonably straight for 12 feet. "Trees of this size are common to the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont because the Forest Service grows our trees a bit longer than most private lands. It's great to see the lands that nobody wanted now producing quality timber with more than 75 years of management by the Forest Service," stated Casey.

The tree was selected and marked by two Forest employees, sale administrator Gary Miner and Forest Technician Bill Garrison. The tree was cut by Caleb Martin, grandson of Alan Plumb and was sawn into a square cant for the museum post at the Plumb Family sawmill in Andover. Wax was added to the ends of the cant to help keep it from weather checking on its trip to Montana.

Pick-up and delivery to Montana was coordinated by volunteers Tom Thompson and Bruce Jackson, a Forest Service Retiree from New Hampshire.

Other timbers from the Region include: a "tapped maple" and a red spruce from Thompson's Tree Farm in New Hampshire, a yellow birch from the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, A black cherry from the Allegheny N. F. in Pennsylvania, an aspen from the Superior N.F. in Minnesota, a red pine from the Chippewa N.F. in Minnesota, a red oak and black walnut from the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, a yellow poplar from the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana, an ash from the Huron-Manistee NFs in Michigan, and an eastern white pine from the Chequamegon-Nicolet in Wisconsin.

The timbers, helping to support the museum roof, will be visible inside the lobby and bear plaques describing their history and origin. The museum project is led and promoted by a group of retired federal Forest Service employees who are attempting to gather 24 timbers of various species from National and Experimental Forests, including 16 from east of the Mississippi River.

The museum is designed to display historic objects and papers, honor forest conservationists and serve as national headquarters for developing conservation education programs. The U.S. Forest Service manages about 193 million acres of forest and grasslands covering 8 percent of the United States. There are more than 150 National Forests and Grasslands in the US.

A capital campaign for the National Museum for Forest Service History began about four years ago; construction is expected to begin this spring. For more information visit: www.nmfs-history.net/.

Currently, a variety of methods are used to protect soil resources during management operations. One recommended method is for use when logging during winter conditions, particularly for wet sites.

In a joint project with the San Dimas Technology Development Center, a pilot study is being conducted on the Hiawatha National Forest (UP-Michigan) to identify suitable winter logging guidelines that can extend the treatment while minimizing impacts to soil resources.

The objectives of the study were to:

1. Identify and test robust indicators of soil conditions including frozen ground, and/or snow conditions by measuring soil temperature, soil moisture, air temperature, and snow depth;

2. Correlate the above and below ground indicators with the mechanical operations used during the treatment; and

3. Develop low-cost, science-based guidelines that can be easily identified in the field by the sale administrator and logger.

A variety of methods were used to collect information on site conditions. First, in fall of 2008, pre-harvest monitoring was conducted to assess site condition and bulk density. During harvest, frost tubes and data loggers were used to collect on-going information regarding the air and soil temperature and moisture status. Also during harvest, data was collected on compacted and uncompacted snow depth, and depth of frost in soils on and off skid trails. The stands will be evaluated again in the 2009 field season to assess post harvest disturbance and compare it to the data collected during harvest operation.

Like all successes, many people worked together to make this project happen, including personnel from the Hiawatha National Forest Soils/Watershed and Timber Programs, the San Dimas Technology and Development Center, Rocky Mountain Research Station, and Michigan Technological University. Furthermore, during the field assessment, two Soil Scientists from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest helped evaluate the data sheets and field conditions.

It is proposed to extend the study to other Forest Service units in the coming years to assess conditions on a wider range of sites and climatic conditions.

For more information, contact: James Gries at 906-789-3340 or Dan Range at 906-643-7900 x112.

In 2008, the Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest created 1500 square feet of pollinator habitat, a pollinator conservation awareness interpretive area and an interpretive trail. Local partners and volunteers contributed over 166 hours of time to this project.

The project started in January when Chad Kirschbaum, District Botanist and Zach Murphy, a volunteer-intern from Coal Grove High School planted seeds for over 50 different native wildflowers, grasses and sedges in germination trays. The seeds were cold stratified in the trays during the cold winter months. During the winter and spring, workers from the Federal prison camp in Summit, Kentucky constructed a growing structure with 500 square feet of shelving space to house the seedling and plug trays. The platform has a slatted roof so that the plants are shaded and do not try out too quickly in the summer.

In March and April many of the species that were sowed, germinated and began to grow. These seedlings were transplanted by volunteers from the Barn Busters and Copperheads 4-H Clubs and other volunteers in May and June. Kids and parents helped transplant thousands of seedlings to plug trays so that the plants could develop deep roots and tall shoots. The 4-H clubs were led by Shelia Tackett and Teresa Huddle. "I think the garden is a great idea. It lets people see plants and flowers from the forest that they might not be able to see in the wild. It's a way for people to see how plants in the wild grow and are pollinated. I think it's a positive thing" commented 4-H leader Shelia Teackett.

During the summer months, college students hired using the Washington Office's native plant earmark funds and other funds tended the plants by watering them frequently and making sure they were getting adequate light and shade. Summer students and prison crew members also helped prepare the planting areas by cutting and spraying the areas that were to be planted.

Jake Emmett, a seasonal biological science aid, helped design the plans for the plantings using information on the color, height and bloom time of the native plants that we had sown. The plan included carefully laid out diagrams with instructions on where to plant each group of plants in order to maximize the visibility of the wildflowers when they were in bloom.

In August, construction on the planting beds began. Hard clay and the steep slopes made the construction difficult but the first beds were finished and ready for planting by the beginning of September.

Students and their teacher, Heather Hardy, from the Rock Hill High School (RHHS) Science Club, were instrumental in getting these gardens planted. Josh Ison, a student at RHHS said, "Volunteering outdoors for the Wayne National Forest was a very fulfilling experience. My friends and I had fun and learned a lot about the plants and the outdoors. Overall it was a very enjoyable and rewarding time." Many other volunteers helped, including kids and parents from local 4-H clubs. Together they planted hundreds of plants which next summer will attract many different pollinators and beautify the District's landscaping with native plants from Southern Ohio. "Working with the Wayne National Forest has been a wonderful learning opportunity for the students. They have learned a great deal about the native plants of this area as well as their pollinators. Students were able to be involved in the process in a variety of ways. Two of the favorites were seed collection and transplanting seedlings. To see some of the pictures taken by students, go to the RHHS Science Club page on the Rock Hill Web Site" commented Heather Hardy a teacher and science club leader at RHHS.

The pollinator gardens start along the visitors parking area at the District Office. This winter signs will be installed which will greet visitors and explain the importance of pollinators and native plant species in landscaping. Behind the signs are two large trapezoid-shaped gardens which follow the sidewalk. Near the gardens, is the start of the Ironton District Office Interpretive Trail. Currently, about 50% of the trail is barrier free and open to people of all abilities. If funding is attained, we hope to develop the rest of the trail in fiscal year 2009. This trail meanders up a hillside into a second growth oak-hickory forest. One of the stops along the trail are two 5' x 100', raised native plant beds that were constructed out of treated lumber along the hillside behind the office and are easily visible from the parking lot and interpretive trail. This fall, several dozen flowering tree and shrub species were planted at the garden site and along the interpretive trail. These trees and shrubs will attract the attention of visitors and pollinators alike when they bloom this spring.

"Several visitors have already remarked that the new landscaping looks better than the hillside of weeds that it replaced" commented frontliner Edie Gillenwater.

This winter Kirschbaum and volunteers will be designing and creating plant label signs for all the plants in the garden. Using the sign, visitors to the garden will be able to see the common name, scientific name, a picture of the plant and an insect that pollinates or uses the plant for larval food.

In the future, Kirschbaum would like to extend the barrier free trail to a point to where it connects with the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area trails. Also, along the newly created woodland trails, he would like to plant more native plant species for pollinator habitat but with a focus on woodland wildflowers, grasses and sedges.

The third and fourth grade classes at North Elementary School in Deer River, Minnesota, joined in the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 13th. These young "citizen scientists" observed and recorded bird use at the school's bird feeder.

The North School students split into groups of 3 or 4 children per group, and were assisted in their efforts by Wildlife Biologist Kelly Barrett and Information Assistant Jean Ramstad of the Chippewa National Forest. Kelly and Jean helped the children to identify bird species and fill out data forms to submit to the Cornell Ornithology Lab in Ithaca, New York. The kids will also report their results to the KAXE radio phenology show.

Excitement was high as the kids watched flocks of common redpolls swirl around the school feeder. These tiny finches live far north in the boreal and taiga regions, and move south into North America every couple of years in search of food. Binoculars were a "must" to pick out the redpolls, with their red breast and forehead, from the pine siskins mixed in. As many as 37 birds were counted at any given moment, although it was a challenge to count them all as they flitted back and forth.

Incidental observations included figuring out who is using the tunnels in the snow (red squirrels), and how many sunflower seeds a blue jay can cart away at one time (22). The children learned that a flock of chickadees is called a "troop", and by watching closely, could see how a chickadee holds a sunflower seed in its feet while pounding on it with its beak to break it open.

The Great Backyard Bird Count benefits both birds and people. A nationwide effort, the data that is collected helps researchers understand bird population trends, information that is important for effective conservation. The data reveal important aspects like migration patterns, and trends that help show how birds are affected by urbanization, global climate change, and disease. This year's Backyard Bird Count is the 12th year of this annual effort. The project is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society.

As a part of the U.S. Forest Service, the Chippewa National Forest promotes the tradition of conservation education. One of the Forest Service's current focus areas involves connecting people, especially kids, with nature. This blends well with similar themes provided by the teaching staff at North Elementary school. Participating in events like the Great Backyard Bird Count also supports the Forest Service mission of "caring for the land and serving people".

Wayne National Forest is happy to announce that its partners, West Elementary School and the Master Gardeners of Athens County, received a Project Learning Tree MonarchLIVE GreenWorks! Butterfly Garden grant. Forest Botanist, Cheryl Coon, worked with the Master Gardeners to write a grant application for the project. This was one of 17 Butterfly Garden grants awarded in the U.S. and the only one awarded in Ohio. Wayne National Forest will partner with the program by supplying local native plant seeds and seedlings for use in the Butterfly Gardens.

The "Creation to Migration" project will involve local elementary students in planning, creating and maintaining a pollinator garden at West Elementary School. Students will learn "hands-on" about soil nutrient cycles, plant growth, pollinators and ecosystem function during the project. Students will document their discoveries in their classroom journals. Athens County Master Gardener, Betsy Keyes, will work directly with the school to provide knowledge and assistance with the project.

Betsy also hopes to work with local home-schoolers to develop a pollinator garden in the current Children's Garden maintained by the Master Gardeners. This public children's garden has been used by local students to learn about composting, planting and raising flowers and vegetables that are then given to a local food bank. Adding a native plant pollinator garden will provide an opportunity for children to learn about pollinators, their needs and the problems they face today.

The Athens County Master Gardeners and Wayne National Forest hope that the "Creation to Migration" project will develop a local interest and local protocol that other classrooms and local organizations can use to create native pollinator gardens throughout southeast Ohio.

Chippewa National Forest staff from the Deer River Ranger District presented a series of programs at North Elementary School for their "Winter Forestry Day" event held on February 4th. The theme for the day focused on environmental changes that occur in our area during the winter. The staff set up four stations for the students to rotate through so everyone could have a chance to attend all of the activities.

Biologist Kelly Barrett's program pertained to a variety of wildlife species and how they cope with winter. For example, the kids were able to feel the heavy fur of a timber wolf pelt and learn how owls drive through the snow to catch prey. Forester Dave Roerick had students pretend to be a "forest" so they could discover what changes trees go through when the freezing temperatures arrive. Travis Jones, forester, demonstrated how to identify various animal tracks and the stories they tell us in the snow. The students were then encouraged to use rubber molds of animal feet pressed into trays of snow to replicate how the track would look outside. Talk about fun! At the fourth station, seasonal forestry technician, Jeff Poenix, presented a program about bird adaptations and birding in winter.

As a follow-up, Kelly returned to the school on Friday. February 13th, to help the 3rd and 4th grade students participate in a nationwide "Back Yard Bird Count". We supplied the school with seeds, suet and extra feeders to develop their feeding station and provide a good location to study the birds. Kelly helped the kinds identify the birds they saw and fill out the survey forms. Students will be submitting a phenology report to local radio station KAXE about their observations. Window feeders were also installed in the other classrooms so that students could continue to observe the birds throughout the rest of the season.

This has been a joint effort between the teaching staff at North Elementary and the Deer River Ranger District. Staff visited the school in the Spring, Fall and now Winter to help students visualize the changes to the environment with each season. The teachers feel that this is a way to capitalize on children's natural curiosity and helps to create a motivation to learn. Environmental Education programs can be a fun way to address a variety of academic standards and reach beyond the science classroom. Hands-on activities such as those presented on "Winter Forestry Day" help kids develop skills across disciplines, like observation skills, problem solving, creativity and critical thinking. Also, we believe that by creating an appreciation for our natural world, the students will develop a sense of personal and civic responsibility to care for the environment.

In January, five Chippewa National Forest employees were out on a local lake in January doing something that most people wouldn't even think of. They were cutting large holes in the lake ice… and jumping in. This was part of the 8th Annual Multi-Agency Winter Ice Rescue Training held on the Chippewa National Forest each year.

When you have a northern Forest made up of over half-water, ice-rescue training becomes vital to prepare rescue agencies for real life situations. Over 30 rescue groups from northern Minnesota took part in the ice rescue training January 28, 2009 on Cass Lake. Participants receive training in rapid deployment for ice water rescues, diving, and use of cold water rescue suits. It's a chance to test equipment from scuba gear to float jackets and ice picks. Spectators come out to watch the parade of hovercrafts, ice angels, water cars, diving rigs and those guys in the red gumby suits. The multi-agency training was POST- certified as well, with an "Ice Rescue Technician" certification offered to qualified participants.

Chippewa National Forest Law Enforcement Officer Paul Nordeen had a chance to test out his Mustang Ice Rider snowmobile suit as part of the training that day. Law Enforcement officers wear the Ice Rider float suits in everyday winter patrols, which include patrols across frozen lakes. To test his gear, Nordeen jumped into one of the three large holes cut in the ice by Forest fire crews the previous day. With the help of a county water rescue crew, the officer was retrieved from the water, dry inside and ready for the next exercise. While part of the training focuses on ice rescue, EMT's and other medical personnel also train for medical emergencies after a person is pulled from the cold water. Medical crews are always on hand during the training, to participate and ensure the safety of all rescue crews.

Mike Rice and Matt Heaney from the Walker District fire crew and Nate Watne and Xavien Grady from Blackduck District made it all possible by cutting the ice. They are trained to use chainsaws to cut the 12 x 20, 30 x35 and 4 x6 holes in the ice. Law enforcement officers, and local volunteers pulled the giant ice blocks from the water. It took the crew about four hours to cut the holes through the 2 feet of lake ice. Temperatures cooperated for the preparation day as well as on training day. "The weather was perfect, some would say even a little warm" noted one Cass County employee. It was another successful Multi-Agency Winter Ice Rescue Training that benefits the agencies, local community and winter visitors.

Cass County Sheriff Randy Fischer sent letters to Chippewa National Forest District Rangers and the employees involved in the training, thanking them for their continued participation. "Rescue teams from 36 crews received high quality training thanks to your dedication and hard work. We couldn't do it without you! See you on the ice next year!"

A tree, a use and a partnership…. Every year the Chippewa National Forest conducts a hazard tree inventory in our campgrounds to determine trees that must come down for safety reasons. 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 -- even bluebirds and the wood ducks are happier!

The Chippewa National Forest partnered with Beltrami County and the Sentence to Service program to fall and cut the identified hazard trees. Some of the trees were cut into eight foot lengths and some were cut into firewood to be used by the campground hosts. The larger diameter logs were cut, piled and allowed to dry for a season. This winter a portable sawmill came to the Norway Beach Recreation Area and sawed the logs into various dimensions of lumber. The wood will be used for building bluebird houses, loon nesting rafts, duck boxes, and Camp Rabideau restoration.

The cost of cutting the trees was shared by the Natural Resources team and the Public Services team on the Blackduck District. The wood will be shared with The Beltrami County Sentence to Serve Program, the Dixon Lake Association, and various community groups. Beltrami County Sentence to Serve Program uses the wood to make bluebird house kits which are given to environmental education programs throughout the Forest. Fifty of the bird house kits were given to guests during the Chippewa's Centennial open house at the Blackduck District Office in 2008. At our Earth Day celebration this year another 100 kits will be given to local youth. Members of the Dixon Lake Association, a group of volunteers, used some of the lumber to make wood duck houses. They have installed and maintained over 500 houses in locations around the Blackduck Ranger District!

A tree, a use and a partnership! By working together, everyone has benefited from this project.

The Mark Twain National Forest initiated a native pollinator garden at the District Office in Poplar Bluff summer, 2008. It all began with the identification of a perfect area situated in the open sun where visitors and personnel would pass by when making their way toward the District Office. Turf in the 400 square foot area consisted primarily of Bermuda grass, clover, and fescue. This was killed using a combination of 4 mil black plastic and glyphosate. Throughout the summer, heat from the sun worked its magic, with temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Twice during the summer the black plastic was removed to allow any surviving grass to grow for several weeks, and again the area was covered to smother all living vegetation.

Hard work and dedication by many district employees finally allowed the site to be prepared for planting. The Landscape Architect provided input for layout, and Megan York-Harris, the Wildlife Biologist, and two Youth Conservation Corps students leveled the perimeter of the garden and laid local landscape rock that matched the stonework of the District Office. These enthusiastic, hard-working students were a great help and fun as well! The Assistant Zone Fire Management Officer picked up supplies, unloaded pea gravel, mortared rock, and created a sprinkler system for use in the coming summer months.

As August rolled around, a local nursery specializing in native grasses and wildflowers was contacted. Twenty-three native plant species were ordered, based on suggestions from Dave Moore, the Forest Ecologist/Non-native Invasive Species Coordinator. These plants are widely known for providing nectar sources for a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Many will also provide a seed source for birds migrating in the fall. As the plants arrived, a makeshift holding area was created until temperatures began to cool. District personnel and volunteers planted a total of 96 pots of various wildflowers and 10 pots of grasses. Immediately following planting, the area was mulched to prevent drying of the new plants. District personnel and volunteers were faithful at keeping the plants watered and in good condition both during the holding season and after planting, allowing the plants to take root. Heavy, slate markers for each species were custom made and placed within the garden to assist the public in identification. A monarch migration sign was also placed in the garden, which shows the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and importance of nectar sources for their survival.

The garden was completed on September 12, 2008. A few wildflowers bloomed during the fall, including rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis), bottlebrush blazing star (Liatris mucronata), and sky blue aster (Aster Oolentagiensis). In the next few seasons, this garden will mature, and the plants will fill out and provide an area of magnificent color for visitors and food sources for many kinds of pollinators. This garden will also be used for educating local school groups. Without the help of many individuals, the garden would not have been completed in a timely manner, nor would the finished product have turned out so nicely. All in all, this project was completed for approximately $5000.

Almost immediately upon finishing the garden, a monarch caterpillar was spotted devouring a clump of butterfly weed (Asclepia tuberosa). Not only did this provide an educational experience for office personnel and visitors, it proved the old adage "if you build it, they will come." Chances are high that many more monarch butterflies, as well as other pollinators, will be spotted in the future.

The Karner blue butterfly is a federally endangered species that has declined on the Huron-Manistee National Forests over the past century. This was due to the oak/pine savannas/barrens habitats on which it depends being replaced by mature forests by extensive reforestation, fire control efforts, and the process of natural succession.

To meet the recovery goals for viable Karner blue butterfly populations, the Huron-Manistee National Forest's Plan calls for the restoration and maintenance of 20,300 acres of savannas/barrens within designated Karner blue butterfly population management areas and essential Karner blue butterfly habitat. Currently, the recovery effort is focused on developing four viable metapopulation areas within the Manistee National Forest.

Since 1992, hand cutting, prescribed burns, mechanical removal of vegetation (i.e., mowing, sheer cutting, masticating, bulldozing), scarification, seeding, and road closures have been used to manage 712 acres of occupied and 796 acres of unoccupied Karner blue butterfly habitat within the four metapopulation management areas.

The objective of these treatments is to reduce tree density and the encroachment of trees and shrubs, and promote the growth of native grasses and Karner blue butterfly nectar plant species, especially wild lupine - the sole food source for the Karner blue butterfly caterpillar.

Every year, the Manistee National Forest monitors the Karner blue butterfly to determine how far populations are from meeting recovery goals, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat. Between 2006 and 2008, the number of acres the Manistee National Forest monitored for the Karner blue butterfly increased dramatically (298 acres in 2006, 843 acres in 2007, 812 acres in 2008) due to volunteer participation in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort.

Volunteer participation in 2007 and 2008 was incredible! Individuals from numerous private and public partner organizations provided 281 volunteer days (~$37,000 in contributed volunteer time). To those who supported our 2007 and 2008 survey effort, thank you for being so generous with your time! With your support, the Manistee National Forest not only met, but surpassed its monitoring goals.

With the help of volunteers, the Forests inventoried 436 acres; locating 34 new Karner blue butterfly subpopulations. In addition, the Forests estimated Karner blue butterfly abundance and assessed habitat conditions within 78 subpopulations covering 580 acres, and examined the influence of weather on Karner blue butterfly overwintering survivorship by collecting hourly temperature and weekly snow depth data within 20 selected subpopulations. The Forests also conducted habitat surveys on an additional 104 acres to evaluate the effectiveness of different mechanical treatments at restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat.

Those participating in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort made an invaluable contribution to conserving the Karner blue butterfly by helping us dramatically improve our understanding of the Karner blue butterfly's status within the Manistee National Forest, and how to restore suitable habitat. Without good information, our efforts to recover the Karner blue butterfly will fail.

There is still much to learn if we are to prevent this species from disappearing from our local landscape. In 2009, the Forests will continue to monitor the Karner blue butterfly to determine: how far designated metapopulation areas within the Manistee National Forest are from meeting recovery goals; develop a habitat suitability model for Karner blue butterflies within the Manistee National Forest; identify high priority areas to target management; and evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat.

For more information contact Heather Keough, 231.745.4631 x3111

Our goal has been to establish native plant & pollinator gardens within administrative sites on all 15 of our Eastern Region National Forests in 17 states. While a number of our native gardens were established several years ago, we began this endeavor in earnest more recently. Spring of 2009 will be the first year that all our Forests will have established at least one garden - some Forests have as many as seven within their administrative sites (District & Supervisor's Offices).

To date we developed over 30 native plant & pollinator administrative gardens to engage the public in landscaping with native plants which serves to decrease the use of fossil fuels, pesticides, and water. Our gardens provide viewing opportunities to learn more about our very important native bees and butterflies and the essential ecosystem service they provide - pollination. We also harvest the seed from these gardens for use in our Forest restoration activities. Lastly, the gardens at our offices provide easily accessible educational opportunities for adults and children to interact with important components within a natural community.

So far six of these gardens have been designated as Wildflower Viewing Areas with more as the gardens are completed, signed, and interpreted. Find out where they are located at http:///www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/.

Local contacts, images, and additional information for specific gardens within the 15 Eastern Region National Forests can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/plants_botany/

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ssrs/ and/or

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/news/index.shtml

Please come join us in the enjoyment of nature's simple and yet complex workings within our native plant & pollinator gardens.

By: Sue Hirsch

Between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2008, the Forest conducted visitor surveys as part of the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) Program. NVUM is the first scientific method used by the Forest Service to estimate use in national forests and grasslands.

Prior to implementing the surveys, the Forest populated a database with details for each survey-site, including levels of use. The accuracy of this pre-work is the backbone of the project for the entire Forest. You've heard the old adage "junk-in, junk-out". Same goes here. Researchers use the pre-work database to generate a random sample calendar for conducting the surveys. The four different site types are general forest day-use areas, developed sites, overnight-use developed sites and wilderness. Generally, this pre-work requires minor updates every five years.

On the Shawnee the pre-work done in 2000 had inaccurate information and use levels, which greatly affected the 2001 NVUM program and its results. This year Sue Hirsch made corrections to the database, adding 44 and deleting 188 survey points, and entering GPS locations and use-level information for each point over 265 days of the year. She organized information for the Forest to track changes in NVUM using GIS. The Forest went from 273 survey points to 129.

The Shawnee National Forest conducted 295 survey days, 20 more than originally assigned, in order to obtain more site-specific visitor-use information in Garden of the Gods and Lusk Creek Wildernesses.

On October 1, 2007 the first surveys were conducted. The surveys were a challenge to complete without hiring additional staff but Sue Hirsch, Rebeccah Williams, Jim Smith, Angela Rose, Marlene Rivero, Wendy Cowsert, Monica Neal, Roy Street and the Hidden Springs Ranger District trail crew conducted the surveys. These dedicated employees frequently arrived at work early or stayed late to complete their regular duties and to conduct the surveys. When visitor use was highest there were often two or three survey locations on weekends. A total of 2,159 visitor interviews were gathered throughout the year.

On the Forest level NVUM is important because it not only provides managers with estimated use but also provides visitor information such as demographics, length of stay, recreation activities, customer satisfaction and economic impacts of recreation on the local economy. By conducting these surveys, Forest managers are able to review recreation trends and adjust programs to meet changing needs.

NVUM provides valuable information to the Forest about the people it serves to more effectively and efficiently connect citizens to the land.

It is said that for people to thrive in their environment, sometimes all they need is a little stimulation and encouragement. The Mark Twain National Forest has found that the same could be said for running buffalo clover.

Running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) is a federally endangered plant that was listed in 1987. It looks a lot like the clover in your backyard, but unlike cultivated clovers, it is native to North America. It derives its name from the theory that historically, it was dependent upon bison or other large ungulates to scarify and spread its seed, and to provide the moderate soil disturbance necessary for its proliferation and spreading.

In 1994-95, the Mark Twain National Forest entered into a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with Missouri Botanical Garden and Northeast Missouri University to introduce populations of running buffalo clover to eleven sites on the National Forest. At each site, seedlings were planted and monitored. Within a few years, the plants at seven of the sites had disappeared, and by 2000, none of the sites had evidence of any running buffalo clover survival. Soon after, monitoring of the sites was discontinued.

However, before the plants disappeared at the introduction sites, some of them had done quite well and not only flowered, but produced seed. There were many theories regarding why the plants had disappeared at the sites, but the most prevalent theory was that the conditions at the introduction sites had deteriorated due to a lack of management.

Most of the research on running buffalo clover indicated that, for long-term survival, the plants require filtered sunlight and periodic moderate soil disturbance. However, the introduction sites on the Mark Twain National Forest had not been disturbed and most were heavily shaded.

Acting on a suspicion that seeds at one of the introduction sites may still be viable, the Potosi District of the Mark Twain National Forest decided to conduct a burn at one of the introduction sites. It had been over 8 years since running buffalo clover had been observed at the site, but it was hoped that a prescribed burn may stimulate dormant seeds still in the soil and encourage them to germinate.

In March 2008, a small five-acre burn was conducted on the site. Prior to this burn, no active management (e.g. burning, thinning, etc.) had occurred at the site. Then, biologists waited. Finally, after the spring burn followed by a growing season of record rainfall, it was time to go check the site.

On September 17, 2008, biologists returned to the site, and to their pleasant surprise, were greeted by healthy, vibrant and growing running buffalo clover seedlings. The prescribed burn had worked! Biologists counted several seedlings growing in many of the introduction plots in the burned area.

Although this was a very small burn on the Mark Twain National Forest, in had a very large impact upon the biodiversity of the National Forest and Missouri. With the re-appearance of running buffalo clover at this site, the number of populations of this endangered plant on the Mark Twain National Forest now equals one, and it represents one-eighth of the statewide population.

Managers of the Mark Twain National Forest are now discussing options regarding how to best manage this site, and are considering burns at some of the other historic introduction sites to see if this good luck can be repeated. Stay tuned!

Recreation staff at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie received frequent requests last year for a new accessible hunting blind. After consulting with local hunters, a site was selected that would potentially offer a good success rate for deer hunting in Prairie Creek Woods. Then Midewin looked to its dedicated volunteers to accomplish this project.

In late fall, three volunteers --- John Field of Downers Grove, Bernie Twait of Wilmington, and Dennis Wilson of Shorewood --- plus Midewin recreation staff Dan Brown and Mike Thom grabbed lumber, saws, and tools and constructed Midewin's fourth accessible hunting blind. Blind construction was stretched over three days, with final completion in early November, just before peak deer hunting season. Completion of the blind is providing more opportunities and a higher quality experience to hunters with disabilities.

The blind was constructed within 600 feet of a public parking lot to provide better access to people with disabilities who do not use a wheelchair. However, the new blind will accommodate a wheelchair plus one person to assist that hunter if needed. The blind sits two feet above the ground and is open on two sides to offer views with different arm rest heights on each side to accommodate different users.

This project is another welcome step in establishing Midewin's recreation program for all users on the former Joliet Arsenal.

Contact: Michael Thom,Recreation Forester, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, (815) 423-6370, mthom@fs.fed.us.

The Wayne National Forest found a new partner that brings a lot of muscle to the table - literally. The US Army Reserve 779th Engineering Company came on board as a new partner and took on two monumental tasks.

The Army Reserve had been looking for a real-world training area for their equipment operators. The Wayne National Forest, as with most forests, was looking for ways to accomplish more tasks with lower budgets each year. Although they were neighbors, neither had given much thought to what they could offer each other.

Information sharing finally paid off when Forest Technician Pam Meyer had a conversation with Robin Riggs, former SSS and Army Reservist with the 779th Engineering Company. After relaying information about the possibility of partnering with Army units to accomplish tasks, Riggs stated that her unit was looking for real world experience.

Meyer then sent an email to the Commander of the 779th and the meeting between the parties was set. After defining his unit's capabilities, LT Campbell asked if we would have any jobs that they might be able to assist us with. They would supply the people, equipment, supervision, and troop transportation. We would need to bring supplies, materials, and fuel. After the Interagency Agreement was in place, the first two tasks began.

The first task was an illegal dump that, according to local accounts, had been on the Forest for 60 years or more. The dump also flowed over onto private land owned by an absentee owner. The Forest contacted the owner and obtained permission to access his land to remove the dump from his property also.

During that time, the Forest met with several local law enforcement agencies to target any new dumping at the site. From that effort, approximately 35 new cases were prosecuted. Days before the cleanup effort, the Forest spoke with local residents and landowners to inform them of the dump removal.

Several residents recalled the dump being burned over the years "when the trash would get too high." Other comments included thank you and promises to protect the work that the Forest had done.

The dump was adjacent to the North Country National Scenic Trail and an eyesore for the Marietta, Ohio, section. The runoff from the dump emptied into the Little Muskingum River. The Little Muskingum River is one of the five cleanest rivers in Ohio. In their Forest Plan, the Wayne said they would protect the Little Muskingum River.

As the cleanup effort began, the Forest had no idea what they were undertaking. By all estimates, the trash was 40-50 tons with many tires strewn throughout. When the excavator was removing the first layer, it was like a spring. All of the layers underneath expanded with the release of the weight of the top layer. Each time another layer was removed, more layers would appear.

By the end of the first day, it became apparent that this site had been severely underestimated. By the end of the first day, the Forest had filled all of the rolloff dumpsters that had been ordered. We had also removed 45 tires. By the end of the weekend, we had removed 75 tires and 60 tons of trash.

The second work weekend on this site occurred in October. The dump cleanup crew was in full swing. With six rolloff dumpsters on hand and a semi trailer provided by the Ohio EPA for tires, we were ready to make progress. At the close of the first day, it was apparent that we were going to be close to filling our rolloffs again.

Waste Management came through with a container switch-out on a Sunday morning. They had seen what we were doing and wanted to help however they could. By the end of the second work day, we had come close to accomplishing this huge task. Two small areas of trash remain and a few loose tires. After that, it's just stone placement and time for the land to heal itself. All but the last can be scheduled. Our part will occur in March.

All in all, we removed approximately 160 tons of trash and over 400 tires. (We lost count when we got the human chain working well.) We also were able to repair a trailhead access road, protect a watershed, work across boundaries with our neighbors, and find a new partner.

By the end of both of these projects, I had been approached by at least four of the neighbors. They shook each of our hands and thanked all of us for our work at the site. There were also many promises of protecting what we had done. The Army security detail that spent the night at the dump site said that a runner had come past them on the trail early in the morning and yelled out "thank you for cleaning up that mess" as she passed.

The second task was the reconstruction of a roadbed and two culvert replacements on the horse trailhead access road. The road was marked with potholes from recent failures of the culverts. At the same time, we had to compact and establish a new surface for the road. We decided that this was also an opportune time to add new gravel and compact that into place in the parking area.

By the end of the first weekend, the Reservists had gained volumes of real world experience, with many new Reservists being trained on equipment that they had never operated previously. They also faced the challenges of any new project: new environment, new tasks, changing tactics as necessary, and new strategies.

With the conclusion of these two projects, we were happy to learn that we now have more of the Army Reserve Battalion planning to join our efforts. We met with Major Brierton of the 463rd Engineer Battalion. He thanked us for working with the Company so well and offered us even more capabilities: vertical construction, bridge building and inspection, demolitions, security, and communications. We have been working with the 463rd to create an MOU. They are excited and happy to partner with us since we are in their local community.

To this point, we have been able to save the Forest Service over $56,000. With the projects planned throughout 2009, savings should increase to over $100,000. Since these are all projects that may not have been completed without this partnership, we are excited about what the future may hold.

Running buffalo clover, a federally listed plant species, appears to be responding well to invasive species control efforts conducted on the Wayne National Forest (WNF) over the last few years. The WNF is the only site in Ohio where this species is protected by federal owenership.

The biggest threat to this species at the WNF site is an annual grass called Asiatic stiltgrass. Over the last two years, Forest Service staff have mowed the stiltgrass to keep it from out-competing the running buffalo clover.

Earlier this year, WNF botanists and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff monitored the population size of the running buffalo clover. They counted 162 stems, 10 of which were in flower. The number of plants found at the site increased 86 percent from 2007 to 2008.

Several other measures were taken this year to improve the habitat for the clover. Because running buffalo clover likes partial shade, areas along the trail were cleared of thick understory spicebush brush.

Sarena Selbo, an endangered species biologist from USFWS, said, "The areas along the side of the trail that were cut to reduce shade look good."

Another potential threat to this species is too much disturbance created by ATVs. Running buffalo clover can tolerate a moderate amount of foot or ATV traffic but too much would cause damage to the plants. In 2007, a diversion was created to cut down illegal ATV traffic. However, it appears the diversion piles have not significantly reduced illegal ATV use.

A new ATV trail was created to the side of the clover patch and it loops back through and around the patch. As of now, the new trail does not appear to be a threat. In fact, as long as the ATV traffic is kept low, additional habitat for the clover may be created. Even though these plants are thriving under the current disturbance conditions, they will continue to be closely monitored.

A third threat occurred when a severe ice storm in 2003 followed by a wildfire in 2005 severely stressed most of the trees that were providing the partial shade to the clover patch. These trees will eventually die and cause too much light to reach the understory or too much shade might be created by a thick brushy midstory.

This potential problem was mitigated this fall by planting twelve nursery-stock trees around the area of the clover patch. The Forest Service and crew members from the Federal Prison Camp planted three individuals each of white oak, tulip poplar, black walnut and yellow buckeye. Each of these trees have been found growing over running buffalo clover throughout its range and were grown from seeds collected in southeastern Ohio.

Future plans for managing this site include treating Asiatic stiltgrass and clearing more brush along the trail if needed. In 2009, WNF and USFWS will be monitoring the population size again and checking to see if clover plants colonize the areas that were cleared of brush or the new ATV trail. Also, District staff will be treating invasive species such as Tree of Heaven and Garlic Mustard which are growing near the running buffalo clover on Federal and private land.

The Ottawa National Forest has been awarded the 2009 Wings Across the Americas Award for Butterfly Conservation. The award is for butterfly inventory and habitat recovery work from May 2005 through October 2008.

The work included surveys for northern blue butterflies and their obligate larval host plant dwarf bilberry (both species are Michigan-threatened and Regional Forester's Sensitive species). The project also included collecting fruits from bilberries and having the J.W. Toumey Nursery raise seedlings. Young bilberry plants were outplanted at several locations on the Forest in 2007 and 2008. The plan is for the seedlings to establish populations that will be suitable for northern blue butterflies looking for sites to lay eggs, to help both species recover their populations.

In addition to recovery work for the northern blue, the Ottawa conducted inventories for other butterfly species on the Bessemer and Watersmeet Ranger Districts in 2007 and on the Baraga Plains in 2008. The surveys emphasized regionally rare species, in particular the chryxus arctic, tawny crescent, and West Virginia white butterflies, but all lepidoteran species were of interest. The award also covers pollinator conservation education and the use of a butterfly larval host plant as a management indicator species.

Included in the award are Sean Dunlap, Christy Makuck, Sue Trull, and contractor Stephen Ross; Matthew Bushman (now on the CNNF), Joanne Thurber, Tom Strietzel, Teri Mansfield and Cammie Garrison, Sarah Mase and Bob Johnson (retired Wildlife Biologist) are also recognized.

The award will be presented in March in Arlington, Virginia, at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. This annual event celebrates exceptional work that conserves birds, bats and butterflies and their habitats across the Americas. It recognizes the important roles that these species play in the environment-as well as their value to human society.

On December 8,2008, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Associate Chief Dana York and Forest Service Associate Chief Sally Collins announced that the Biomass Utilization and Restoration Network of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (BURN-UP) was one of four groups to receive the 2008 Two Chiefs' Partnership Award. This Award recognizes exemplary employees and projects from the Forest Service, NRCS, State Forestry Agencies, and Conservation Districts who have worked collaboratively to support conservation and forest stewardship.

The BURN-UP project promotes production of energy from woody biomass, advancing opportunities to facilitate the development of an active, commercially viable woody biomass industry in the Upper Peninsula (UP) Numerous partners are involved, including:

*U. S. Forest Service (Hiawatha National Forest),

*NRCS, Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council,

*Marquette County Conservation District,

*Michigan Department of Natural Resources,

*Michigan State University Extension,

*The Forestland Group LLC, US Fish and Wildlife Service (Seney National

Wildlife Refuge,

*Marquette and Mackinac Counties,

*Nelson Logging,

*North Dickinson School District,

*Michigan Technological University,

*The Nature Conservancy, and

*Suchovsky Logging, LLC.

BURN-UP partners are collaborating on a multi-faceted woody biomass utilization project for Michigan's UP. Michigan forests are being impacted by development, increased recreational use, and invasive insects, diseases, and plants. Forest stand improvement, hazard fuel reduction, forest health treatments, and other non-commercial activities are necessary for the long term health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. The use of woody biomass offers opportunities to decrease cost of needed forest treatements while also being more profitable.

Activities that are being conducted through the BURN-UP partnership include: providing technical assistance to schools and other institutions that are interested in converting their heating systems to utilize woody biomass as fuel; setting up demonstration sites on different forest types to provide education on sustainable methods of biomass harvest; working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest Management Advisory Committee to create guidelines for sustainable forest management for harvesting woody biomass; and creating an on-line woody biomass information clearinghouse, including soil ratings and limitations on specific sites.

The BURN-UP project capitalizes on efforts that promote economic stability and healthy forests through natural resources management. It also paves the way for private landowners to harvest woody biomass, establish biomass plantings, and reclaim and better utilize abandoned lands in Michigan's UP.

Shawnee National Forest fire dispatch personnel moved into the new dispatch Illinois Interagency Dispatch Center during December 2008. The center, located near Marion, Illinois, is definitely an upgrade from the former, one-room in which the personnel and equipment had been crammed.

The new facility houses two full-time Forest employees, and the Forest Fire Management Officer who will be splitting his time between the new facility and the Supervisor's Office in Harrisburg. In addition, two part-time Fish and Wildlife Service, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge employees have office space in the new facility.

Facilities at the new center includes a laundry for firefighters returning from a wildfire to launder their gear, a kitchen area that includes a refrigerator and microwave, a conference room that can be utilized for training or meetings, several private offices, an initial-attack radio room with all the necessary equipment, plus a bay for Fish and Wildlife to store fire equipment.

With wildfire assistance available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the emergency number, the Illinois Interagency Dispatch Center is revolutionizing effectiveness and efficiency and promotes interagency cooperation.

On a beautiful winter weekend, Chippewa National Forest staff joined in the National Day of Service connected with President Barack Obama's inauguration. In response to President Obama's call to make an enduring commitment to our neighborhoods, the Forest hosted Community Day at Shingobee Hills on January 17, bringing in families from the Walker/Cass Lake area and getting More Kids Outdoors.

The National Day of Service was January 19, but events could also be listed for the weekend prior to the inauguration

Shingobee Hills is a historic National Forest Recreation site on the Walker Ranger District. It is the perfect place to host an event that brings together families, highlights youth and promotes healthy living and the environment. Throughout the day, families visited the Civilian Conservation Corps- built chalet at the base of the sledding hill to warm up and learn more about Forest activities.

Groups from as close as Walker and Cass Lake took in the hill and trails on Saturday, while others came from as far as St. Louis to experience winter in Minnesota. By the end of the afternoon, over 70 people had joined in Shingobee Community Day.

The Cass Lake High School Science Club, part of the STAR program, also came in for a day and night at Shingobee Hills. The class of 8 High School students and two teachers came prepared for a winter campout.

Forest employees Mitch Bouchonville, Mary Nordeen and Jim Barrott helped get the class set up and started their day by teaching the finer points of quinzhee (snow shelter) construction. Kids from the community joined in, helping the high schoolers build the Inuit-style shelter.

Once the five-foot high pile of snow was in place, students followed soils scientist Jim Barrott out for a snowshoe hike on the Shingobee and North Country Trail systems. Many of the kids had never tried snowshoes before, but jumped in to the Forest snowshoes enthusiastically!

After the snowshoe hike, there was just enough daylight to try out the sledding hill. After dark, the kids enjoyed dinner over the campfire as well as a night hike, experiencing the Forest from a different perspective.

Science teacher Nancy Howard said the kids had a great time.

"It was so good to get the kids outdoors and experiencing some winter sports," Howard said. "We actually went further on the trail than we had planned because we saw so much! The kids found animal tracks (grouse and deer) and even saw one deer bounding through the snow. It was a great time. And of course, they loved the hill and the warm fire at the chalet."

Community day at Shingobee was a chance to connect kids with the outdoors, and connect the communities to recreation opportunities on the Forest. And for Forest employees, a chance to connect with a new school program. Many of the visitors on Saturday were thrilled to learn that the chalet will be open on winter weekends, thanks to the Leech Lake Band's temporary employment program. With weekend staff, more kids can discover the outdoors and hopefully, in the future, be working for the Forest, sharing that same joy for the outdoors.

(We hope you can join us this winter on the Chippewa! Shingobee events are scheduled through March, and on February 27, take in the night trails at the 19th annual Cut Foot Sioux Candlelight Ski!)

By: Lisa Roper/Cathy Slover

January 16, 2009

In December or 2008, the Green Team on the Shawnee National Forest extended an additional effort in going green by sponsoring a 'Recycle & Warm a Heart' winter coat drive. All Forest employees were challenged to bring in good, used coats, encouraging everyone to recycle an article of clothing that is in great demand this time of year.

Forest employees stepped up to the challenge and collected more than 60 coats, some gloves and warm winter vests. Once the warm clothing was collected it was given to a local collection center for distribution where the need was greatest.

The Green Team - Eva Pontious, Cathy Slover, Lisa Roper, Vicky Nicholson, Monica Neal, Donna Mason and Tyler Van Ormer - is proud to have been able to initiate this effort. They appreciate the participation of employees across the Forest and thank them for their contributions.

In 2008, two Forest Service employees traveled to the Dominican Republic to help conserve this nation's natural resources. Glen Juergens, Silviculturist on the Monongahela National Forest, focused on tropical forests during his detail to the country, and Cindy Sandeno, Ecologist on the Monongahela, participated in The Nature Conservancy's Karst Efroymson Workshop.

Glen Juergens met with representatives from government agencies, non-government organizations, and education facilities to gather data in order to write an assessment on the biological diversity and tropical forests in the country. The Dominican Republic has a wide variety of forest types ranging from dense mangrove swamps located at sea level along the coast, to humid tropical forests, to conifer forests located at over 10,000 feet. While forests once covered 70 percent of the country, by 1967 they had been reduced to less than 12 percent. Over the past several decades, the country has made significant progress in reforesting parts of the country, and now forests cover about 33 percent of the land area.

To continue this restoration, it was important that a biological assessment be completed and submitted to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This assessment included the actions necessary to achieve conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and to conserve biological diversity. After researching the country's resources; visiting national parks, an ecotourism lodge, coffee producers, and an organic farm, Glen was able to make recommendations that will have long lasting impacts on the nation's resources. "I was very encouraged to see the enthusiasm and dedication of the Dominican Republic people in restoring the country's forests and protecting the wildlife," stated Glen Juergens.

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, while the western portion is occupied by Haiti. This island is of international priority for conservation due to its unique biological diversity and the high degree of threat to the endemic flora and fauna. Over 400 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles are found in the Dominican Republic. This includes several endangered species that are dependent on the nation's forests such as the endangered Ridgway's Hawk, bay-breasted cuckoo, Solenodon, rhinoceros iguana, and the hawksbill turtle. The Dominican Republic is also home to at least 5,657 species of vascular plants, of which 32 percent are endemic, meaning they are found no where else on earth.

Over 30 years ago, conservationists predicted that deforestation rates would cause the island's forests to vanish completely, and fortunately, this warning was taken seriously. The Dominican Republic began to establish a system of protected areas and implemented a reforestation program. Today, the country's natural diversity is protected within 88 protected areas, including national parks, natural monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves which cover about 24 percent of the nation's landmass. This includes important biological hotspots such as Samana Bay and Los Haitises National Park.

While Cindy Sandeno served on a team tasked with developing a conservation action plan for two caves in southern Indiana, she was also able to assist the Dominican Republic with their plan to protect karst in Los Haitises National Park. The overall goal of the Karst Efroymson Workshop was to develop effective conservation plans to guide strategic actions for five significant karst projects in three different countries including the United States, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Los Haitises National Park is located on extremely permeable karst terrain. Karst terrain is formed when bedrock (typically limestone or dolomite) has been dissolved by groundwater. As a result, drainage is largely diverted into subterranean routes and the landscape is often pockmarked with blind valleys, caves, rises, sinkholes, sinking streams, and springs.

Within the park, there are several underground channels and caves, some of which contain rock carvings, paintings, burial sites, and artifacts of Taino Indians. In addition, the caves provide habitat for an array of unusual and rare animal species. Because these caves are connected to the surface, they cannot be protected without protecting the lands that surround them. As part of the conservation planning process the most critical threats likely to degrade the biodiversity in the park's caves were identified and strategies were developed to abate these threats. "This workshop really highlighted the fact that caves are unique habitats that are extremely worthy of protection," said Cindy Sandeno.

Interestingly enough, the same threats that jeopardize biodiversity in the tropical forests of the Dominican Republic also threaten karst systems. These threats include the conversion of forest land to other uses (such as agriculture), illegal logging, illegal trading in forest plants and animals, spread of non-native plants and animals, grazing, and unregulated tourism and development. The willingness of The Nature Conservancy and USAID to invite outside assistance from the Forest Service reflects their commitment to protect the important resources of the Dominican. "I was really surprised to learn about the many partners that are working together to conserve the wildlife and habitats in the country, and I can't wait to collaborate on future projects," stated Cindy. Forest Service employees welcomed the opportunity to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. And Glen and Cindy will certainly bring back innovative technologies and new opportunities home to the Monongahela National Forest.

Both Cindy and Glen thank International Programs, The Nature Conservancy, and USAID for helping make these important trips possible. A special thanks goes to those who served on the Indiana Karst Planning Team including Cassie Hauswald, Larry Clemens, Allen Pursell, John Shuey, and Joe Tutterrow.

Shingobee Hills Recreation Area is known as the first downhill ski area in Minnesota. So, it seemed the perfect Chippewa National Forest site for a National Winter Trails day celebration! 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.

It was a perfect winter morning, with powdery snow and clear sunny skies. Forest employees Tom Schackman, Mitch Bouchonville, Sonja Hoie, Mary Nordeen and Ann Long-Voelkner teamed up with local partners to provide a day of sledding fun as well as a guided skiing and snowshoeing trek on the North Country Trail.

Tom Schackman and a member from the NCTA local chapter led eight enthusiastic snowshoers for the four-mile snowshoe hike to beautiful Anoway bridge. "It's one of my favorite spots to hike to in the winter here in the Shingobee Area" noted Schackman. Shingobee is an Ojibwe word for the cedars, spruce and fir found along the Shingobee River, and the trail bridge provides the perfect landscape view.

While snowshoers had a fantastic morning, sledding is really the most popular way to experience Shingobee Hills. Families took advantage of the fresh deep snow and hopped on their bright sleds for a race down the hill. After hours of sledding, kids and parents stopped by the historic CCC-chalet for a cup of hot chocolate and a quick warm-up by the fireplace.

Since Shingobee Hills is a fast ride down and a long tough walk back up, all visitors who made the trip received their Junior Snow Ranger badge and bandana! Our Winter Trails Day participants were also invited back for more fun in the snow. The District will be hosting five more events this winter at Shingobee, including a January 17th National Day of Service event for the Community. Snowshoes are always available for families to try out, and gives us a chance to teach kids a new winter sport. The January 17th event will focus on bringing more kids outdoors, encouraging a healthy outdoor lifestyle and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources of the Chippewa National Forest.

We know the kids might not focus so much on our objectives for the day, they are concentrating on lining up their bright orange sleds. They just know that Shingobee is a great wild ride into winter…and they'll be back for more!

Want to join us for a great Winter Recreation event? We'll be at Shingobee Hills on January 17 and 31st, as well as Feb 14 and 28, and March 14. There is also a Candlelight Ski planned at Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center on February 27. Winter is Fun on the Chippewa!

Northern Minnesota offers a wide range of winter recreation, from snowmobiling to snowshoeing, but nothing matches the excitement (and sound) of a team of howling dogs ready to leap off the starting line of the 3rd Annual White Oak Sled Dog Race. Chippewa National Forest law enforcement officers Kent Ledermann and Paul Nordeen have been working with this popular race since it began, providing security and safe passage as the teams mush down the trail.

The White Oak Sled Dog Classic is a two-day, 130 mile "big dog" race that begins in Deer River, Minnesota and traverses the Chippewa National Forest north to Squaw Lake, Northome (the half-way point at 65 miles), east to Effie, south to Bigfork and straight to the finish line in Marcell. This year a record 70 teams registered in four different classes, included 6-dog recreational, 6 dog trophy, and both the 65-mile and 130-mile Pro Teams.

Nordeen and Ledermann partnered with Leech Lake Reservation Conservation Officers, Itasca County Sheriff and the Itasca County Search and Rescue team. Officers travel the trail by snowmobile, providing safe crossing for teams at road intersections and responding to incidents. The multi-agency enforcement team stays out until the last dog team is in.

The race is well organized and the officers enjoy the chance to get to know this growing Forest-user group. "Providing a safe experience is the key to the day. Safety for the crews, mushers, dogs and other Forest Visitors is our job at the races. said Nordeen, "It's also great to see the families outside, in the snow, enjoying the Forest and taking in this great winter pastime," The sport is growing on the Chippewa National Forest, with a second big race coming through at the end of January. The city of Walker , on the southern end of the Forest, will be hosting the "City on the Bay" Dog Sled Race on January 31. This is the first year for the Walker event, which includes 7 race classes, including junior races and a ski-jouring race as well. Mush on over to the Chippewa!

Soil and Water Conservation Districts were the perfect audience for our message. So when Ray Chattin, a farmer from Knox County, Indiana and one of the Steering Committee members for the Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area, asked if I would be willing to speak at their annual meeting I didn't hesitate. The three day conference is large and competition for topics is stiff so prospective speakers are asked to submit a prospectus of their talk to a panel. I did so and waited to see if CWMAs would make the cut.

It did, and the panel allocated a one hour time slot for me to present my topic. I asked our CWMA President Tom Tremain to be my co-presenter and he and I put a presentation together.

We also worked with the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to do a booth. According to Ray Chattin and Troy Hinkle - both from Knox County and both active in the CWMA, throughout the conference, participants mingle in the booth area for breaks and between sessions and if the CWMA had a booth set up it would be a good forum for questions and interaction about invasive species. Knox County SWCD paid for the booth space. We had a variety of fliers and information on our CWMA and on invasive species and I offered to do two pull-up banners for the booth. One banner could feature our most recent CWMA cooperative project - where we worked together to remove bush honeysuckle from 3 acres in a Bloomington, Indiana park. The second banner could feature 9 significant invasive species and how to join our CWMA.

Knox County then suggested that if they purchased the hardware for the invasive species display - could I tailor it to Knox County? So we picked the 9 species - and then the message was still to join the CWMA but that if you found these species or wanted more information to contact the Knox County SWCD -with their contact information. A banner message at the bottom asked people to do their part to control invasive species in Knox County. At the booth we then took orders from SWCDs to get a banner for their county. Chattin and Hinkle suggested if each of our county SWCD offices had a banner display on their invasive species it would go a long way toward increasing awareness. With the portability of these displays SWCDs could take them to different farm meetings and to the county fairs. At a cost of just over $200/display, we got a lot of interest from the different offices in ordering displays.

Tom and I presented a series of challenges to the SWCDs in our presentation. We asked them to get more involved. For those who were not in our 36 county CWMA area, we encouraged them to collaborate and start their own CWMA. For those that were in the SICWMA, we asked them to include invasive training in their field days and offered to help them with that planning. We encouraged them to order boot brush stations for their natural areas (and provided forms to do so) and don't dump bait stickers for their county lakes. We presented ideas for educational programs and I've already been asked to be a feature speaker at their educator's workshop in April to develop some new programs. We encouraged them to include information on invasive species in the packets they sent out to landowners.

It was a cold blustery day in Indiana but a good day for our CWMA. People asked good questions that made us think, and they were excited about what we were doing and that helps reaffirm that we're on the right track. The SWCDs want to help and work with us and that's what a CWMA is all about.

On the afternoon of December 2, 2008, a group gathered at the Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery to celebrate the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Hiawatha National Forest and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The agreement combined and revised MOU's between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service that were originally developed in 1950 and 1959.

The new document updated the cooperative management agreement between the Hiawatha National Forest and the Pendills Creek/Sullivan Creek NFH Complex.

"With both hatcheries on or surrounded by Hiawatha National Forest land, our agencies have a shared desire to protect and conserve the Great Lakes lake trout restoration efforts," noted Forest Supervisor Thomas Schmidt.

The streams and associated watersheds that serve the Hatcheries lie within the National Forest boundary.

"This ceremony is the culmination of several years of discussion between the Hiawatha National Forest and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," according to Hatchery Manager Curt Friez. "We look forward to continued collaboration."

At the ceremony, Schmidt and USFS Assistant Regional Director Mike Weimer signed the finalized agreement, which outlines a process for collaboration on projects within the designated areas. The agencies have jointly identified watershed health as their foremost management objective.

Following the ceremony, the group toured the Sullivan Creek National Fish Hatchery's facilities.

(Contributed by Greg Knight, 715-748-4875)

The Anishinaabe (Chippewa) bands that signed the Treaties of 1836, 1837, 1842, and 1854 retained hunting, fishing, and gathering rights within lands ceded to the U.S. Government. Much of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is part of these ceded lands and is important to the Anishinaabe bands for hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Forest understory plants in particular are significant gathering resources and play an important role in Anishinaabe culture.

Forest management activities such a tree harvest can have effects on forest understory plant species, from direct impacts of the tree harvesting equipment operations to changes in sunlight levels reaching the forest floor from removal of harvested trees. Other potential impacts include an overall decline in understory plant species richness and cover and increases in non-native plant species. Past scientific studies of tree harvest impacts on understory plant species have been criticized for failing to distinguish tree harvesting impacts from pre-existing site differences. Therefore GLIFWC proposed a long term study that would document site conditions before and after tree harvest treatments in northern hardwood forest stands that are selectively cut as the common treatment in northern hardwood stands. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest recognized the merit of assessing selective-cut logging impacts to understory plant species and agreed, through a Memorandum of Agreement, to work with GLIFWC staff to develop and implement this long term study (10 to 15 years) on the National Forest. The goal of this study is to document selective-cut tree harvest impacts to understory plants, and document if and how long understory plants recover to pre-tree harvest conditions. The presence of non-native species would also be noted in both pre and post harvest.

In 1997, four study sites with paired treatment and control plots, all with similar soil and vegetation composition characteristics and minimal disturbance since the 1920's, were selected within northern hardwood stands on the Medford-Park Falls Ranger District. Four to five years of pre-timber harvest data were collected on the plots and the data analysis revealed statistical differences in plant species richness between paired plots at sites 2 and 3 during the spring sampling period and site 4 during the summer sampling period. These differences pointed out the importance of several years of pre-harvest data collecting to take into account these differences between the paired plots when analyzing post tree harvest sampling data.

Currently, all four study sites have had tree harvest operations completed and post harvest data collecting is ongoing.

Story submitted by Greg Gardner, West Zone Engineer.

This past August, Hiawatha National Forest and Alger County Road Commission worked together to complete the reconstruction and paving of the Fish Lake boat launch access road on Munising Ranger District. The road and boat launch had problems with erosion caused by rain water running down the gravel road and into the lake at the boat launch, washing sediment into Fish Lake and the Indian River, and causing damage to the boat launch and parking lot.

To eliminate the erosion problem, 0.1 mile of road was reconstructed, and the road and parking lot were shaped to divert the water off into the woods before it reached the lake. The road and parking lot were then paved.

The Forest provided the design and the funding to perform the work, and the Alger County Road Commission provided the on-site supervision and construction crew to complete a well built project. Both the Forest and the County benefited from this cooperation. The Forest was able to utilize the experience of the County construction crew to complete the project within budget, and the County Road Commission was able to receive funding from the Forest for its crew during a time of shrinking budgets. We look forward to working with the County on future 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."

Sometimes it's what you take away from the landscape that provides benefits. That's the theory behind road decommissioning, in which a man-made structure is partially or wholly altered to reduce or remove negative impacts to other resources.

In the Monongahela National Forest, the presence of native brook trout, particularly reproducing populations, is an indication of a high level of water quality. They are especially sensitive to the effects of sedimentation as fine silt can cover and smother trout eggs, reducing or even completely removing a population from an affected stream.

As a consequence, fisheries biologists often work closely with road engineers to either mitigate sedimentation before a road is constructed or to decommission unnecessary roads as soon as possible.

One such road in the Forest was located adjacent to Clubhouse Run, in the Greenbrier Ranger District. It was identified for decommissioning as part of an area-wide decision document. Large amounts of fine sediment were observed in the channel, increasing the likeliehood that it would cease to be a reproductive trout stream over time if the road was not addressed.

The work included outsloping the road bed, decompacting soil, opening up stream crossings by removing culverts, and seeding the disturbed soil with native plant species. Trees removed during the process were left on site either in the stream channel or on top of the finished outslope. Approximately 2.5 miles of the road was decommissioned, with the work being performed by a West Virginia contractor.

A section of Clubhouse Run was surveyed in the spring of 2008 for habitat conditions and fish populations. Several age classes of brook trout were found including young of the year, indicating that the steam was still supporting a spawning population. Surveying will continue in the future to monitor changes in the local fish populations.

It is hoped that by removing the source of fine sediments to the stream that not only will Clubhouse Run continue to support a native trout fishery but that the populations will increase.

Each Christmas organizations, individuals, and businesses sponsor a tree which is auctioned off to raise money for the local food pantry. Each tree has a theme and is brightly decorated with lights and ornaments and has a matching tree skirt. Many have a basket of gifts under their branches. This year's auction raised over $12,000 for the food pantry!

For several years now employees on the Hoosier National Forest have sponsored a tree. Recreation Technician Dave Morris and his wife Annette chaired the event for many years and piqued people's interest in helping out. But a core group has assembled on their breaks and at lunch each year in November to decide on a theme for their tree and how they want to decorate it. It's a labor of love to help the food pantry and give back to their community. It's also a fun way to work together on a shared project.

This year, as in the past, the team worked together to make each of the ornaments. The theme of the tree was "The Good Shepherd's Tree." The top of the tree had a shepherd made of felt who overlooked a tree filled with sheep, stars and shepherd's crooks. The sheep were handcrafted fleece, felt, and cinnamon sticks.

The crooks were cut from wood and decorated with holly and berries. The sparkling wooden stars scattered amongst the branches depicted the night sky. The tree skirt made from felt also featured sheep grazing along the hillside and stars in the night sky.

The group was really proud of its tree which stood in the office lobby for a couple weeks before it was taken to the auction. The day of the auction Bedford had a snow and ice storm and the streets were icy which may have kept many people away. Though crowds were down, the Forest's tree sold well and the money went to buy supplies for the food pantry.

The tree was purchased by two local doctors. We received a note after the holidays from them letting us know how much they loved it and the work that we put into it.

From their note: "As much as we love it, we wanted it to get double duty. We plan to donate the tree to the Border collie Society of America for them to auction off next year to raise money for the rescue of abandoned border collies. While it will be hard to part with the tree, we know that it has the appeal and can earn money for a second good cause."

So that made us all feel doubly good to have helped with two charities! Those who helped with the effort include: Dave Morris who donated the tree, Cherie Stoops who cut out the crooks and stars, Becky Bade who made the shepherd and tree skirt, and Becky Bade, Ron Ellis, Pam Kruse, Teena Ligman, Ruth Siddens, Eric and Cindy Sandeno, and Kelly Weigel who made the sheep. Others donated money to buy supplies.

To all who helped - we appreciate your allowing us to contribute to this worthwhile community effort!

By: Jennifer Sublett

Southern Illinois volunteers from various agencies and backgrounds joined forces with the Shawnee National Forest to accomplish trail projects on national forest land this fall. Five trail clinics provided instruction on how to build basic and advanced trail and trail features, work with pack stock to haul gravel and rehabilitate and re-handle trail tools.

Each clinic provided volunteers with a glimpse of the many methods used to maintain and construct sustainable trails throughout the Forest. These volunteers, in turn, made improvements and had a profound impact in their national forest.

Volunteers ranged from high school groups to equestrians and provided them an opportunity to work towards a common goal. Specifically, representatives from the following groups could be seen cutting a new piece of trail, installing steps made of rock or fashioning a retaining wall from logs carried into the site: Saluki Volunteer Corps, Murphysboro Key Club, Shawnee Back Country Horseman, Sierra Club, Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C) Geography Club, SIU-C Men of Vision, SIU-C Underground Arts, SIU-C Leadership Engineering Student program, Master Trail Steward Trails Training Course students and individuals from the surrounding communities. In addition, AmeriCorps, a national volunteer organization, participated in a few of these trail clinics.

On Make-A-Difference Day, October 25, five area organizations provided support and assistance on projects on Cove Hollow Trail.

The result of these successful trail clinics was the completion of targeted sections of the Cove Hollow Trail (adopted by the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association), the installation of fencing and signage to direct visitors safely through the canyon on Little Grand Canyon Trail (adopted by the SIU-C Geography Club), the transportation of gravel to project sites within the Bald Knob Wilderness and the re-handling and sharpening of tools essential for trail building.

Volunteer programs are essential for the Shawnee National Forest to walk the talk for sustainability while connecting citizens to the land.

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.

The Crane Creek bridge is located on Forest Road 2203 on the Blackduck Ranger District on the Chippewa National Forest. The existing Crane Creek timber bridge was built in 1948. After 60 years of service, the condition of the bridge had deteriorated to the point that it received a Sufficiency Rating of only 45 out of 100 in 2007.

Based on user comments, Chippewa's bridge inspector Jim Schoonover and the construction contractor realized that Forest Road 2203 was an important through route for loggers and local residents. The bridge had to be replaced!

The old bridge was completely removed, and a new timber bridge was built in the same location. The new bridge was made slightly larger, primarily to meet today's safety requirements. The new bridge is a timber slab-span design, set on a timber pile abutment. It was delivered to the site as a pre-fabricated kit. New piles were driven and abutments were built to support the bridge. Then deck panels were set and connected together. Crash-rated curbs were installed for safety. Finally, wearing planks were added to the top of the deck. Signing was installed, and the finish grading was done.

Crane Creek is ready for another 50 years!

By: Justin Dodson

December 16, 2008

The Shawnee National Forest's Hidden Springs Ranger District presented two of its Forest Service Volunteers with the President's Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Troy Lear, a small business owner, received the Silver Award, and Candace Bourne, veterinary technician, equestrian and President of Trails for the Future, Inc. received the Bronze. Both Troy and Candace are avid outdoors people.

Troy received his award for volunteering a total of 315 hours in 2008. He provided numerous services for the District's botany program to include assisting on the non-native invasive species (NNIS) environmental assessment project. Troy helped monitor fire vegetation plots and located NNIS with a global positioning system in both designated wilderness and non-wilderness areas.

Candace received her award for volunteering a total of 140 hours in 2008. Her volunteer time was spent with the District's recreation program helping with trail monitoring for the Trails Designation Project. In addition to monitoring miles of trail in the Lusk Creek Wilderness, Candace developed excellent PowerPoint presentations of trail conditions that were shown at conferences, symposiums and group events.

Established in 2003, the Award is presented on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have med or exceeded requirements for volunteer service, and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of the thousands of certifying organizations participating in the award program, the Shawnee National Forest confers the Award to recognize the achievements of outstanding volunteers.

The President's Volunteer Service Award, issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, is for volunteer service that every American, any age or walk of life, can work to achieve. The Council is comprised of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organization and community volunteering. To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating certifying organizations, such as the Shawnee National Forest, so they can verify the service and present the Award.

The Shawnee National Forest would like to sincerely thank Troy and Candice for their outstanding achievements in the community and their dedication to the volunteer program on the Forest.

For more information about how to qualify for the President's Volunteer Service Award, and to find out how to identify volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.

By: Jennifer Sublett

December 16, 2008

AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps' Earth Three Team (Team) from the Denver, Colorado, campus left their mark on the Shawnee National Forest this fall when they ventured into the Bald Knob Wilderness on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District and devoted time and effort to trail rehabilitation projects on the popular River-to-River Trail. Each member of this ten-person crew came from a different background, yet had a similar outlook on life. To them, serving your country, the land and its people are often more important and rewarding than personal goals or luxuries. During their time here, the Team completed an impressive list of trail projects, learned the finer points of primitive camping in the wilderness and participated in outdoor education activities, such as use of a map and a compass, local tree identification and night ecology. The Team made valuable connections with local volunteers who either donated supplies to their project or participated alongside them during the numerous trail clinics hosted by the Shawnee National Forest's volunteer program.

Individuals and groups the Team worked alongside included dedicated members of the Shawnee Back Country Horseman who graciously offered their time and packstock resources to transport the Team's over one-thousand pounds of camping equipment, plus water each week of their stay in the Bald Knob Wilderness. During trail clinic days, the Team worked on trails and trail features with groups from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C). This included the Saluki Volunteer Corps, Men of Vision, Underground Arts, Geography Club, students from the Shawnee National Forest's Master Trail Steward Trails Training Course and members of the Murphysboro Key Club and Sierra Club. Local volunteers and the Team shared knowledge, stories and experiences with one another during the three trail clinic days.

The Team worked primarily on problem areas of the located in the riparian area, approximately one-quarter mile from Hutchins Creek along the River-to-River Trail. They

* Completed a 600-foot re-route of trail around an especially wet area

* Built 300 feet of causeways

* Closed and naturalized over 600 feet of old trail

* Carried 4,000-plus pounds of gravel to raise the trail tread

* Cleared one mile of trail of trees and debris

During the preparation for the Lincoln and Douglas Debate Celebration at Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds on the site of the Mississippi Bluff's Ranger Station in Jonesboro, Illinois, the Team prepared the grounds by replacing 1,300 feet of split-rail fencing, laying sod in front of the Lincoln and Douglas debate site, picking up trash and participating in the set-up and take-down of equipment for the weekend celebration.

As part of the Shawnee National Forest's agreement to provide information and additional experiences in the local area, the Team visited and learned about two very different historical sites. The first site visited was the Cache River Wetlands Center where they met with Mollie Oliver and staff for a morning of macro-invertebrate discoveries and an afternoon of canoeing the Wetlands to view local wildlife and ancient state champion trees within this important ecosystem. The canoes were provided to them courtesy of Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The second was a two-day experience at Miller Grove, an historic African American pre-civil war cemetery for freed slaves. Forest Archeologists Mary McCorvie and Heather Carey, along with dedicated local volunteer Bill Tanner, provided an historical account of the people that settled the land and small community still known as Miller Grove. Day two included a workday on Millstone Bluff Trail, where employees from the Hidden Springs Ranger District hosted their first public workday to rehabilitate the trail tread and signs located at the trail head. The Team worked with local volunteers to clear brush and branches from the trail, haul and spread woodchips on the trail, and clean and stain informational boards. As an added bonus, Mark Wagner, Director of the Center for Archeological Studies at SIU-C, led the group on a walk into the past by explaining the rock art and its possible meanings.

The Team was hosted by at least one Shawnee National Forest or University of Illinois Extension (U-IE) employee or representative at all times. District Trail and Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Pearson provided the trail project layout, trail building education, supervision, logistics for hauling tools and camping gear in the Wilderness and plans for trail clinic projects. U-IE employee Jennifer Sublett was the camp manager. She taught the environmental education activities and was the day-to-day trail supervisor. Linda Hauser from the Murphysboro Work Center provided the opportunity for the Team to learn the diverse trees of southern Illinois. Diana Emmons, Volunteer Program Intern from SIU-C, provided media support through still photographs and video of the team members for posting on the Shawnee National Forest website.

When not in the wilderness, the Team stayed at the Grassy Lake Hunting Club in Ware, Illinois. Here their hosts, Colin and Cindy Cain, provided all the comforts of home, including a family atmosphere and an opportunity to learn about local farming and hunting practices.

The work done by the Forest and AmeriCorps' Earth Three Team in conjunction with other group and individual volunteers connects citizens to the land and exhibits why the Forest Service is an employer of choice.

By Terry McDonald

On December 15, 2008, The Conservation Fund and the Forest Service purchased a total of 9,624 acres in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of northeast Tennessee from New Forestry, LLC. The property - known as Rocky Fork - is the largest unprotected tract of land in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

The property is located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border in Unicoi and Greene counties (Tennessee), approximately 30 minutes from Johnson City, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.

As part of the overall acquisition, The Conservation Fund acquired 7,387 acres, which the organization will temporarily hold as it raises money to transfer this portion of the property to the state of Tennessee and the Forest Service for permanent ownership and management. The Forest Service acquired an additional 2,237 acres of the Rocky Fork tract, which will be part of the Cherokee National Forest.

Acquisition efforts have been an outstanding public-private endeavor. Some of the partners involved include members of the Tennessee and North Carolina congressional delegations, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Lyndhurst Foundation, Unicoi County, Town of Unicoi, Town of Erwin, Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce, and Joint Economic Development Board of Unicoi County.

Rocky Fork offers a range of resource management and recreational opportunities. About 1.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail crosses the southwest border of the property, and half the property can be seen from the trail. Sixteen miles of blue-ribbon trout streams, including the waters of Lower Higgins Creek and Rocky Fork Creek, harbor exceptional populations of native brook trout.

Rocky Fork also boasts habitat for a variety of wildlife including the peregrine falcon, eastern hellbender, Yonahlossee salamander, bear, turkey, deer and grouse.

By: Susan Corey

A kayaking trip on Dutchman Lake turned into an adventure in early detection and rapid response for Melissa Mead, Student Career Employment Program ecologist for the Shawnee National Forest, when she collected water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an invasive aquatic plant species, for the first time on the Forest. Melissa collected the unknown plant for her Wetland Ecology Course at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C). She pressed the plant specimen with the intention of identifying it later, and continued with her studies at SIU-C and her work on the Forest.

Later, she again spotted the plant while on an excursion to Louisiana with her class. She was able to identify the species and make the connection to the plant she had collected from Dutchman Lake. Melissa reported the site to Susan Corey, Botanist/Ecologist on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District and, together, on a cold November day, they removed all of the visible plants from the lake. A total of 14 large trash bags and an estimated 700 pounds of soggy plants were removed.

While removing the water hyacinth, the two discovered the presence of another invasive aquatic plant species, parrot-feather watermilfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum), and also removed it. This was the first documentation of the parrot-feather watermilfoil on the Shawnee National Forest.

A collaborative effort between the Shawnee National Forest and the River-to-River Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) has developed over the past couple of years and coordination between the CWMA and the Forest has been beneficial. During the summer of 2008, Chris Evans, Coordinator for the CWMA, organized aquatic invasive plant surveys at all boat ramps on impoundments in southern Illinois. Melissa and two seasonal Student Temporary Employment Program employees on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District were involved in conducting these surveys on national forest lands.

When Chris received the report of the water hyacinth and parrot-feather watermilfoil populations, their removal and plans for monitoring the populations in the coming years, he responded, "This is a great example of effective early detection and rapid response within an agency: find a new plant, identify it as a problem, contact the appropriate persons within the agency, rapidly respond to neutralize the threat, and develop a plan to continue monitoring the site to ensure the population remains controlled." This cooperative effort is a perfect example of protecting ecosystems across boundaries.

By: Justin Dodson

December 12, 2008

On November 1, 2008, the Hidden Springs Ranger District hosted a volunteer workday at Millstone Bluff Archeological Area on the Shawnee National Forest. The site had several maintenance needs, including exposure of artifacts along the upper segment of the National Forest Service (NFS) Trail 440 because of trail tread deterioration and weather wear on interpretative signs. The event lasted five hours and turnout included ten local area volunteers, nine AmeriCorps students and six Forest Service employees.

The Forest provided 325 bags of cedar chips and two utility vehicles for the day. All of the bags were loaded into utility vehicles and hauled from the parking lot to the base of the boardwalk connecting the upper and lower trail. There, volunteers formed a line up the boardwalk steps and handed off to each other the 325 bags of cedar chips until all of the bags reached the upper trail. The bags were opened, applied and spread on the whole upper loop of the site. Other accomplishments included hauling a half ton of limestone gravel in buckets to the upper trail to patch a hole in the trail tread, applying a quarter ton of limestone gravel to a bare spot on the lower segment of the Trail 440, picking up garbage and cleaning all interpretative signs on site.

After the event, several archeologists in attendance provided an interpretative talk on the history of the site to the volunteers and a local women's group. Assistance was provided for individuals of the women's group who needed help up and down the hill.

Thanks to everyone who attended the event! This is an outstanding example of connecting citizens to the land.

The Francis Marion National Forest recently acquired two tracts of land vital to further consolidating its holdings, protecting the integrity of the forest and augmenting critical habitat. The Walleye Tract, a 57-acre tract in Berkeley County located near Big Ocean Bay in the interior of the forest, was 75 percent surrounded by existing national forest lands.

The Bulls Bay Tract in Charleston County contains 196 acres that were completely surrounded by national forest and is located along the Highway 17 corridor near Awendaw.

"These lands are vital to the Francis Marion National Forest," said Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Forest Supervisor Jerome Thomas. "Consolidating the forest is a priority for us and these two tracts are

fundamental in helping us better manage the land, create critical habitat for wildlife, and provide better public safety."

Multiple funding sources were leveraged to make these acquisitions possible. The Berkeley County tract, representing a $232,000 acquisition, used federal Land and Water Conservation Funds, private donations and a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Charleston County tract, valued at

$1,746,000, was donated to the forest by The Nature Conservancy and was partially funded by a $623,700 Charleston County Rural Greenbelt Program grant as well by other public and private funding sources.

"I know of no other example of a county government providing funds for federal land acquisition," said Thomas. "Charleston County is leading the way to protect greenspace for its residents and visitors."

The forest successfully applied directly to the USFWS for a $75,000 grant funded through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) for the Berkeley County tract. The NAWCA grant and its award is the first of its kind for the national forests in South Carolina.

Such grants are awarded on a nationally competitive basis to projects demonstrating significant benefits to wetland and migratory bird resources. The agency hopes to use this funding source for future land acquisitions as it provides an excellent opportunity to leverage federal dollars to meet land management and protection goals.

The Nature Conservancy was an integral part of both land acquisitions.

"The Nature Conservancy has been an invaluable partner to the U.S. Forest Service's land acquisition program for a number of years," said Thomas. "Their conservation efforts have greatly enhanced the forest's ability to manage these resources for future generations."

It sounds like a great idea. Package projects in such a way that small, local businesses can bid on them and successfully complete needed work on the Monongahela National Forest. Problem is that for many small businesses, the process of working with the federal government is daunting and some don't even know how to get started, or how to move to working on bigger projects.

To help overcome these hurdles, contracting specialists held two one-day workshops on the Monongahela aimed at clarifying the process.

The sessions were held in both the northern and southern parts of the Forest to attract as many businesses as possible. Led by Forest Service contracting officer Mark Corse, the workshops were organized by contracting specialist Carrie Edwards. In addition to the Forest Service speakers, presentations were made by several non-profit and for-profit organizations aimed at assisting small contractors, including the Small Business Administration, the WV Small Business Development Center, and the Regional Contracting Assistance Center.

Topics covered included business formation and registration processes; finding contracting opportunities; government contracting methods and how they apply to small businesses; socio-economic preference programs; and contract performance and administration.

The sessions attracted 35 vendors who represented businesses in information technology, heavy equipment operation, plumbing, electrical, landscape maintenance, equipment sales and rental, ecological surveying, forest management, and excavating. The majority of the vendors were from within or nearby the Forest, but several came from farther away.

An estimated 40 percent of those businesses present had at least some experience working with the Forest Service already while about 60 percent were new to the process. Having some experienced vendors allowed for informal sharing of successful projects completed with the agency as well as potential problems that can occur.....such as getting paid during a hurricane and its aftermath!

Because a dozen FS employees also attended the sessions, vendors had the opportunity to talk with people who develop or oversee contracted work on the ground, such as members of the engineering group.

According to Edwards, the workshop partners were excited that the FS had taken the initiative to hold the sessions and were pleased at the turnout. Participants left with increased knowledge about agency contracting processes and what would be expected of them if they are successful in bidding on Forest project work, and a better understanding of the types of work that may be available. They also left armed with packets of information and links to web sites for further information.

It might seem to be an odd time to offer such sessions given reduced agency budgets and possibly reduced opportunities to offer projects for bidding. The Monongahela approach was to prepare bidders in advance, so that when and if there are opportunities for small businesses to bid, vendors won't be left unable to compete due to lack of knowledge.

A properly designed and constructed wetland can be critical to the long-term survival of numerous species of insects, amphibians, and invertebratres. In addition it can help support populations of bats and birds, and provide drinking water for other animals. But not all constructed wetlands ARE properly designed or built and some are dismal failures.

A workshop held on the Monongahela National Forest June 6-8, 2008, provided Forest Service employees and others with a hands-on opportunity to learn the art and science of building wetlands. Organized by Forest biologists Cathy Johnson and Dan Arling and District biologists Jay Martin and Cheryl Tanner, the session attracted national interest and participation. Led by Jim Biebighauser, a Forest Service wildlife biologist on the Morehead Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, the workshop focused primarily on the construction of ephemeral or vernal wetlands.

Biebighauser, who has overseen the construction of more than 1,000 wetlands to date and has published materials on the subject, emphasized the hands-on nature of the information. With a bulldozer operator who had never created a vernal pool prior to the workshop, Biebighauser was able to demonstrate the concepts of creating a wetland that not only met the need of the wildlife for which it was developed, but which also visually fit on the land.

District staff identified areas along a relatively flat ridge in an on-going timber sale where they wanted to create a series of vernal pools. Doing a series of related wetlands is not only more beneficial to wildlife than a single pond, but is a cost effective way to make use of heavy equipment. Working with the areas already flagged out the dozer operator gradually created the wetland, stopping periodically so that the class could hear discussions as to the techniques being used.

While the dozer was working the group spent hands-on time learning characteristics of suitable and unsuitable soils by handling 10 different samples to determine if they would hold water; and what the best construction techniques would be for each soil type. Techniques and their relative costs and times of year to implement were all discussed.

As a special treat a bat mist-netting exercise was conducted over a pond in the area, to showcase how valuable ridgetop wetlands are for such animals as well as to amphibians and other species discussed during the session. Seven species of bats were caught over two nights of netting.

By the time the workshop ended, participants from the Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, several National Forests, two universities and several environmental groups or consulting firms learned and shared a great deal about wetlands creation. Their efforts in the field also resulted in the creation of 10 ephemeral wetlands in the project area.

These will be monitored for success over the coming years and included in the Forest's monitoring reports. Forest biologists also plan to develop Forest-specific guidelines for pond/wetland construction in association with other forest projects, based partly on the workshop and follow-up comments.

Chippewa National Forest is in the unique position of its land base overlaying the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. With 90% of the Indian reservation affecting national forest management, the need for good relations and natural resource champions within tribal government is critical to maintaining resources for future generations.

The work of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe / Chippewa National Forest Dumpsite Clean Up Group is an outstanding example of positive impact, and support for forest management and sustainability in both the national forest and the Indian community. Their shared persistence to develop an inter-governmental agreement and education to residences and seasonal guests regarding the safe disposal of trash at approved solid waste collection stations demonstrates a mutual commitment to Protecting Ecosystems across Boundaries.

The problem of illegal dumping is widespread on the Chippewa National Forest and within the Leech Lake Reservation boundary. Not only does unsightly trash affect tourism and community behavior, it also increases health risks to humans when dump sites are near homes, wetlands and open water. The land shared by Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Reservation is nearly half water and wetlands, including the headwaters of the Mississippi River and 3 of Minnesota's largest lakes. The household trash of today often contains toxic materials that can threaten wildlife, plant growth and even private water wells.

The first step to remedy the problem was to inventory the illegal dumps. This was done using a federal grant obtained by the Leech Lake Department of Resource Management (DRM) to identify illegal dumpsites within the reservation. Seventy-seven sites were found, many of which were on U.S. Forest Service, county or state land.

Leech Lake DRM staff brought these findings to the Forest Service to talk about the best way to work together and clean up the sites. The Forest Service, Leech Lake DRM and Leech Lake Public Works Agencies formed an alliance to encourage people not to throw trash in the forests as well as help clean up the sites. Together, this newly formed group pinpointed the dump sites that posed the greatest risk to humans, those nearest homes, wetlands and open water. Tribal Chairmen George Goggleye and Forest Supervisor Rob Harper signed the Dumpsite Cleanup Agreement in June 2007 and again in June 2008.

The problem of illegal dumping is widespread and the group knew that to clean up the sites it would be better to focus their efforts in key locations and publicize those successful efforts. The challenges were building trust and understanding especially as staff changes occurred, educating both internal organizations of the problem's significance, establishing how to involve and educate people in nearby rural Indian communities, and establishing a system where old batteries, appliances, shingles and TV sets in ditches and clearings are brought to waste transfer sites for proper disposal.

Using a GIS map overlaying the illegal dumpsites, soil, wetlands, roads and communities, the two governments focused on jointly cleaning sites near three Indian communities: Inger, Bena and Ball Club. In 2007, twenty-one sites were cleaned up. In 2008, their focus is on the Mission Lake area and twenty sites are in the process of being cleaned. A database to track the sites is established. The agreement also includes cooperative law enforcement, site monitoring and rehabilitation, educating and providing outreach to residents and seasonal guests regarding the safe disposal of trash at approved solid waste collection stations. The sites cleaned up thus far have been on county, tribal and federal land.

Three entities worked persistently together to get this effort "on the ground": John Persell, environmental analyst for the Leech Lake DRM and Don Headbird, supervisor of the Leech Lake Solid Waste Dept., and Jim Barott, Soil Scientist of Chippewa National Forest. The group has learned that by working together agencies can accomplish much more than by working alone. A seemingly overwhelming task became possible. The first clean up event took place August 10, 2007 and made a huge visual difference.

Through the actions of this group, future generations will benefit from a cleaner environment and from the new behaviors and cooperation practiced in this relationship.

People who hold a specific type of hunting license may access roads in the Monongahela and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in West Virginia under a special program aimed at increasing accessibility of these national forests to hunters.

Although variations of the program have existed in the Monongahela for many years, recent changes have been made to better inform the public and to ensure equal access to the program by all Americans.

Often referred to as the "Class Q" program, after the type of hunting license originally required of participants, the program is more properly referred to as the "Class Q/QQ" program. Unwieldy though the name may be, it represents an important distinction.

Class Q licenses are issued by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to WV residents with a documented disability that impairs their ability to walk into an area and hunt. The Class QQ license is also issued by the West Virginia DNR but is a non-resident license. Since national forests are open to all people it was important to develop a program that did not discriminate against non-residents by allowing them the same opportunities as WV residents.

A holder of a valid Q or QQ permit is given the opportunity to hunt on specified Forest Service roads in the Monongahela or the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, behind otherwise closed gates. Some state wildlife management areas are also included in the program.

In 2004, a Class Q/QQ team was formed consisting of both Forest Service and WV DNR employees with the goal of upgrading and streamlining this popular program. A number of significant improvements have been made for the 2008 season. Permits are now issued for either a north or south zone within the Monongahela, instead of by one of six ranger districts. Any district FS office within the zone can issue a permit for that zone, which both increases efficiencies for the FS and increases customer satisfaction.

The Class Q/QQ team also developed a specific key/lock system for entry into the roads; works to put together an annual news release on the program; developed an exit survey (administered by the WV DNR) to track days hunted, hours hunted, species seen, species hunted, and success rates. The team further holds an annual evaluation meeting to identify and implement changes to the program to keep it successful.

The current Class Q/QQ program is quite successful in both attracting and helping disabled hunters, and in increasing cooperation between the agencies. Twelve roads in the Monongahela are currently used for the program, which provides 56 miles for physically challenged hunters to utilize.

Comments received have been very positive. Class Q/QQ hunters have been able to harvest deer and turkey through this program; but more importantly have been able to enjoy the hunting experience which many thought they'd never have again.

They may look innocuous on the surface, but natural gas collection and transmission lines can present dangers to the unwary. The Monongahela National Forest has numerous pipelines, plus a 50,000 acre underground gas storage field located within the boundaries. Pressures in the lines and field range from a low of 150 psi (pounds per square inch) for a distribution line to 700 or 800 psi for 20-36 inch transmission lines and more than 1,900 psi in the storage field.

Although a rare occurrence, damages to lines in the Forest have resulted in dramatic explosions and fires. To help employees better understand the precautions needed to prevent such accidents and to better identify field conditions warranting concern, two Columbia Gas Transmission employees presented several safety sessions for Monongahela employees.

They explained the multiple methods used by Columbia to check the integrity of lines, including physically walking them twice a year; aerial detection flights done 6 times a year; use of electrical currents to detect weakening; and the periodic use of 'pigs.' In gas pipeline parlance, a pig is a sophisticated monitoring tool that is sent through a section of pipeline with the flow of gas. It can detect thin spots in the line to a high degree of accuracy. Sections identified as weak can then be repaired or replaced.

In addition to explaining how Columbia monitors their lines, the two reps provided Forest employees with information on how to identify conditions in the field that would warrant notification to the company. These included sighting dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise green area around a pipeline in summer or build-ups of ice in the winter. Both could signal a slow leak.

Water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek or other wet area, or dirt being blown into the air provide another clue that something could be amiss. Hissing sounds or a gas or petroluem odor are additional items to be aware of.

While the lines are located far enough underground that a forest fire should not be a major concern, any such fires should be reported to the company so that shut down precautions could be employed if deemed necessary.

Finally the industry reps asked Forest employees to help them by reporting any signs of construction activity within the 50 foot rights-of-way maintained by the company. While it is required standard practice for contractors and others working in the vicinity of a pipeline to notify utilities of planned work, that doesn't always happen.

While it is unlikely a Forest Service employee would run into a pipeline safety issue, being aware of one's surroundings in the vicinity of such lines can mean the difference between a pleasant day in the field and a major accident.

Making sure a complete answer to a question is available to everyone who asks can be a challenge, along with taking lots of time. When the topic is as potentially confusing as development of minerals underlying national forest system lands it can be extra difficult to ensure completeness and clarity.

With increased national interest in energy development, Monongahela National Forest minerals and geology program staff saw a need to bridge the information gap and at the same time, be as efficient as possible in sharing that information.

As a member of the national minerals and geology training cadre, Forest geologist Linda Tracy also understands that people may need information they don't know enough to ask for, in order to more completely understand the complicated relationships between surface and sub-surface rights. To address these issues the staff developed two sets of "frequently asked questions" related to minerals in the Monongahela National Forest.

One set of questions and answers addresses oil and gas leasing specifically and explains the processes used to lease and develop federally owned oil and natural gas reserves in the Monongahela. Readers can learn how the nomination process takes place; how sales are conducted; the impacts to National Forest system surface estates; leaseholder rights; and the types of restrictions and analyses that are common.

The second set of questions and answers addresses outstanding and reserved mineral rights beneath the Monongahela National Forest surface. This paper explains clearly the concepts of such mineral rights; the process for them to be developed; and how impacts to the Forest are managed.

With recent interest in possible development of the Marcellus formation in several eastern states, having these information papers available on the Forest web site has not only reduced the amount of time it takes to answer questions individually, but it also ensures that everyone gets the same basic information on the subject.

Forest Service staff and North Country National Scenic Trail Association volunteers collaborated to improve approximately one half-mile of a popular section of the trail within the Manistee National Forest.

Significant degradation and erosion along an unsustainable portion of the trail prompted local Spirit of the Woods Chapter work coordinator Ed Chappel to seek technical assistance from Manistee National Forest Trail Coordinator Chris Loudenslager. The degraded section was poorly constructed on a hill, traversing straight up and down the face. Materials and labor provided by the volunteers moved the trail to the side of the hill, reducing the steep grade and creating a route that will better sustain the hiking and mountain bike use this segment of the trail regularly receives.

Additional volunteer efforts included new route blazes and rehabilitation of the obliterated trail, and will provide for routine maintenance and monitoring into the future.

"We are very fortunate on this forest to have the ability to work with such a great team of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers to improve recreational experiences along the North Country National Scenic Trail," Loudenslager said.

Over 120 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail traverse through the Manistee National Forest.

Several stream crossings on the Manistee National Forest are healthier thanks to joint efforts of Forest Service staff and North Country Trail Association (NCTA) volunteers. The West Michigan Chapter of the NCTA, with assistance from the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, completed stream bank stabilization projects along two creeks using geotextiles and geocell materials to stabilize and harden the trail surface.

Intense recreation activities on sensitive topography led to substantial stream damage at a number of crossings along the North Country National Scenic Trail. Mountain biking and horse riding on steep slopes and sandy soils contributed to noticeable damage.

Along Michigan Creek, new trail rerouted a section of poorly located trail that was contributing to significant sedimentation and degradation of stream quality. Construction techniques included a locally unique application of geotextiles and geocells. Turn-style barriers and educational signage were installed at choke-points leading to the project area in order to deter illegal horse use and minimize the effect of mountain bike use on the trail.

Stabilization of an adjacent hillside with signs of damage from off-trail pedestrian traffic was completed as well, using biodegradable fiber water bars to slow water flow and filter suspended sediment. Additionally, a woven straw/ biodegradable net matrix was installed on the slope to stabilize surface soils and facilitate plant recruitment.

A variety of local, native seedlings were transplanted through the matrix to expedite the rehabilitation, add additional slope stability, and divert pedestrian traffic away from the slope. More than twenty Chapter volunteers contributed their time and labor to complete this project.

Along Tank Creek, an original section of trail was located within the sandy troughs of an abandoned railroad grade. Water and the resultant sediment would be trapped in the trough and funneled into the creek. A reroute of the trail out of the trough and up onto adjacent higher ground significantly reduced sedimentation of the creek.

Geotextiles and geocells were installed at the stream approach to help reduce the grade, stabilize the parent soils, and harden the trail surface. Biodegradable fiber water bars were also installed at strategic locations along the creek bank to slow water flow and filter suspended sediment. Barriers and additional educational signage are planned to deter illegal horse use that occurs along the trail and through the creek.

During these projects, volunteers overcame their doubts about the use of geocell materials.

"I received quite a few skeptical looks that first day when I pulled the geocell materials out of the truck," said Huron-Manistee National Forests' Trails Coordinator Chris Loudenslager. "But, upon completion of the project, more than a couple volunteers said I had made believers out of them."

Anokii-Daa in the native Ojibwe language, when translated into English, means "lets all go to work."

In October of 2008, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest signed a participating agreement to "lets all go to work" on the Band's new temporary employment program (TEP). The Leech Lake Temporary Employment Assistance Program is the vision of Tribal Chairman Archie LaRose. Chairman LaRose authorized the establishment of this program with the following goals in mind:

1) Fill the need for occasional labor on the Reservation.

2) Provide temporary employment, build a positive work history and gain permanent employment.

3) Work with individuals who need a hand-up instead of a hand-out by providing a positive means to employment when there is a lack of jobs.

The program employs approximately 85 band members per day performing multiple tasks including clerical, landscaping, mowing, construction, maintenance, security, snow removal to mention a few.

Neil Peterson, the Tribal Liaison on the Chippewa National Forest, saw this as an ideal opportunity for the Forest Service to partner with the band. One of the goals of the Tribal Relations Program is to work in a government to government manner.

"This is a great opportunity for us to provide job training, accomplish important project work, and build upon our relationship with the Band," Peterson said.

Future plans to use the Temporary Employment Assistance Program include painting, staining, trail maintenance and construction, snow removal and more. In time the Forest will assist the program participants with more specialized training such as chain saw certification to expand the capacity of the program and employability of the participants.

Other agencies involved in the program include Leech Lake Heritage Sites, Otter Tail Power Company, Habitat for Humanity and assembly plants in Bemidji.

Both the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest recognize the importance of strengthening the ties between the Forest Service and the Leech Lake Band. Positive relationships can have beneficial payoffs in many ways and the Temporary Employment Assistance Program is a wonderful step.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Forest Service's Eastern Region and Milwaukee County has been signed and the beginnings of a Native Plant & Pollinator Garden is taking shape at Juneau Park in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Eastern Regional Office and Milwaukee County Parks have removed turf grass and planted hundreds of native plants and seeds to raise the awareness of the important ecological service provided by native pollinators such as bees and butterflies; the benefits of landscaping with native plants that reduce our carbon footprint and maintenance costs; and the need to control non-native invasive plants.

Non-natives such as tree of heaven, garlic mustard, common buckthorn, non-native honeysuckles and others were removed from Juneau Park and more than 40 species of native tallgrass prairie and dappled woodland plants were added. The park garden will be signed and interpreted and members of the public will be invited to volunteer their time and energy.

Plans are to expand this garden north along the heavily used Oak Leaf Trail which skirts the Lake Michigan shoreline for several miles. Juneau Park, a beautiful and important green space in a busy urban environment, thus offers several important ecological messages in an illustrative form while providing very enjoyable recreational and stewardship volunteer opportunities for the public. Come join us!

Contributed by Juliet Gifford, 715-362-1386

On the Eagle River-Florence District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wildlife Biologist Mike Peczynski has been leading the hemlock and cedar tree regeneration effort. Northern white cedar, eastern hemlock, Canada yew and yellow birch are less commonly seen regenerating on the District because deer eat the seedlings and saplings.

Peczynski and his staff have been designing and building various-sized deer exclosures and then planting the seedlings and saplings inside the exclosures in hopes that regeneration will be more successful without the presence of deer herbivory.

"Trees such as hemlock, yellow birch, cedar, and Canada yew are species that often have a hard time regenerating, even under good conditions," said Peczynski. "Providing fences eliminates one of the impediments of their successful regeneration - deer herbivory."

To date, eight deer exclosures of various sizes ranging from 0.5 - 2.5 acres have been built on the District in hardwood stands where mature hemlock and yellow birch are already present. Metal T-posts, combined with either plastic deer fence or steel field fence, are used in the construction of the exclosures. The height of the fences range from 6.5 - 7.5 feet and 600 - 1,320 feet of fence are used per exclosure.

Peczynski is pleased about the regeneration effort and hopes to construct more exclosures in the future. He is looking at building exclosures in canopy gaps around the District not to only prevent deer from eating cedar, hemlock, Canada yew, and yellow birch, but also to protect naturally regenerated white ash and basswood. Ash and basswood are shade-intolerant species and are rarely seen regenerating outside of canopy gaps or other large open areas in the Forest.

"Fencing improves the survival of seedlings and saplings, but there is still some mortality occurring from other causes such as excessive shade, dry site conditions, competition for other vegetation, and in some cases, rodent damage," Pecynski added.

The monitoring of existing exclosures has demonstrated that a little protection is making a big difference in seedling survival. Many yellow birch and hemlocks planted as 8-10" tall seedlings in the mid 1990's are now exceeding six feet or more!

Written by MaryBeth Deller

Appalachian Jacob's ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) is an herbaceous perennial in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). Although sometimes cultivated, in the wild it is rare range-wide. Known only from northeastern North America, it is unclear whether it is at risk of extinction, and is on the Regional Forester Sensitive Species List for the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF).

In the United States, Appalachian Jacob's ladder is extirpated in New Jersey, endangered in Maine and Pennsylvania, and threatened in Maryland, New York, Vermont, and West Virginia; in Canada, it is threatened in Quebec and historic in New Brunswick. The species' stronghold is in New York, Maryland, and West Virginia, with several populations in Vermont.

An estimated 84,000 plants are known from 77 native and two introduced populations in North America. Although the number of plants may seem high, they are rare everywhere that they occur, and many populations have disappeared. Threats reportedly include habitat loss due to succession, flooding, road building and maintenance, off-road vehicle use, and other activities that change the hydrology or water quality.

Other threats include grazing by domestic and wild animals, and mowing roadside populations. In addition, data trends within and across sites are not easily quantified, because of inconsistent and unclear monitoring units (stems versus plants versus clumps) and a lack of data for some sites.

Appalachian Jacob's ladder grows in seepy areas, often where the soil is circum-neutral. Its habitats include seepy woods and stream banks, many kinds of wetlands, and even wet roadside ditches. While these plants do reproduce vegetatively and can form large clones interconnected by rhizomes, bees visit flowers, and may serve as pollinators.

Many questions exist about how this species responds to disturbance - both natural and human-caused; as a result the Green Mountain NF is unsure how to manage adjacent roads and forests in ways that will ensure its continuance. Because the center of its Vermont distribution is in the Lincoln/Ripton area, overlapping the Natural Turnpike Integrated Resource Project area, many questions were raised regarding how project implementation would affect this species and its habitat.

In addition, the non-native invasive plant, wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris), is abundant along a forest road where Appalachian Jacob's ladder occurs in roadside ditches. There are also many areas with potential habitat (on and off GMNF) that have not yet had surveys for this rare plant.

In response to concerns about this rare plant, the GMNF developed a contract with doctoral candidate Laura Hill from the University of Vermont to begin a multi-year administrative study that seeks to understand the response of the plant to road maintenance, vegetation management in forests adjacent to wetlands where it occurs, and invasion by non-native invasive plants; will develop and test a habitat model for use in refining search efforts for new populations of this species; and predict population trends.

The GMNF also hosted four non-native invasive plant control events along the road where Appalachian Jacob's ladder occurs, resulting in the removal of wild chervil from about a three-mile stretch of road. Partners in this effort included: Vermont Youth Conservation Corp., New England Plant Conservation Volunteers, local residents, and FS staff from botany, ecology, fish, & wildlife programs.

The Hoosier National Forest front office received a facelift this fall and expanded its nature store. The remodeling has made the reception area more visitor-friendly and accessible to all people.

We looked at adding colors that were warmer and had more earth tones, and we lowered the receptionist counter so that it met ADA guidelines. We also had long needed a larger counter area to lay out maps when discussing locations with visitors and the new reception desks accommodates all these traits. It is also more attractive and easier to staff.

The visitor area's nature store has many new items including children's nature books and outdoor items for children and adults alike such as binoculars, butterfly nets, and bug boxes.

Forest Interpreter Stacy Duke explained what some of the more popular new items have been.

"We added the Audubon™ Birds by Wild Republic®, a collection of realistic plush birds with authentic sounds," Duke noted. "We've also got adorable finger and hand puppets of woodland animals that kids just love. They can make up their own nature stories and act them out."

The Forest has an assortment of shirts, hats, and caps from the Hoosier National Forest and even wind chimes and sun catchers. We've also started carrying limestone items unique to the area and note cards with a watercolor painting of Pioneer Mothers. The idea was to have more items that were specific to the Hoosier.

All of the items have an outdoor theme, but some go one step further, Duke noted.

"We have ear rings that are different woodland animals but are made out of recycled materials and incredibly cute. They have really sold well," she said.

Behind the receptionist desk we now have the Forest name in large wooden letters. Dave Morris found a metal Forest Service shield in the old warehouse at Hardin Ridge which we cleaned up and hung with the new letters. Together the shield and letters make a classy addition to the front office. Track lighting spotlights the lettering as well as various ENFIA items in the front office.

The design for the front office was developed by a local firm with input from Mark Corse, Stacy Duke, Ron Doyle, Teena Ligman, Frank Lograsso, Roger Manning, and Ruth Siddens.

Members of the Hoosier, Mark Twain, Shawnee, and Wayne National Forests recently participated in the 81st FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis. "Being an Employer of Choice" and "Working for the Great Outdoors" was the theme of the Forest Service static display which included Smokey Bear, a fire engine, law enforcement, and all aspects of the U.S. Forest Service.

To engage the students, prizes were offered for a quiz to identify various items representing natural resources including: a nutting stone, badger pelt, Ohio buckeye, fossilized jaw bone of a peccary, rabbit skull, digger pine cone, and how to use a clinometer and fire shelter. The students were very inquisitive and knowledgeable and showed great interest in the role of the Forest Service.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members-all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture-as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The 54,731 student attendees were exposed to more than 400 different displays from several agricultural related companies, more than 80 universities, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the U.S. Forest Service. This interaction between the Forest Service and these future leaders was truly a unique experience and will serve the Agency well in the years to come. A more rounded, educated, and diverse group of students associated with agriculture would be impossible to find.

The Hoosier National Forest recently completed the Roland Entrance Riparian Area, which provides vital highway frontage for the 2001 National Taking Wing Award winner: the Roland Riparian Restoration. The French Lick Resort fulfilled wetland mitigation requirement by constructing two small wetlands, restoring a half-mile of stream, planting three acres of native trees and shrubs and mechanically treating five acres of non-native plant species.

This cooperation would lead to many obvious goals for not only the two major parties involved but also for several others as well. Zach Rigg one of the coordinators of this project said, "The success is having one action meet a number of different goals from different government agencies."

Many private corporations and government agencies spent time and money building the Roland Entrance Riparian Area. The French Lick Resort was the financier of the design and construction phases of this project. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management consulted on general project design. Also the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, who restored the original Roland Riparian Area, assisted and received supplies for the work from Ducks Unlimited.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service contributed by helping in the planning process, and the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District supplied the equipment for the design survey. Another consultant for the project was the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Last but not least is an Eagle Scout candidate who will be building the interpretative signs for the wetland.

The U.S. Forest Service has garnered substantial benefits as they gain publicity through the French Lick Resort, and the contractors working on the site. Through this cooperation, the U.S. Forest Service can redirect the money they would have spent to a number of other projects. As the crown jewel of this achievement, a place has been developed where people can observe and learn about riparian area resources.

Note: This story was written by Luke Taft, a student volunteer working with Zach Rigg on the Hoosier National Forest.

The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) received a Friend of the Trail award from the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) for its leadership, partnership and staunch support of the North Country National Scenic Trail. At the annual NCTA conference Keith Klos, NCTA ANF chapter president, accepted the award on behalf of the Forest.

Klos later presented ANF Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina and Marienville District Ranger Rob Fallon each with a clear diamond shaped award for their offices.

Karen Klos, ANF Chapter Organizer, nominated the Forest for the Friend of the Trail award.

"I nominated the ANF for the award, because of its employees' cooperative, positive and helpful attitudes, without their help we couldn't accomplish nearly as much as we have," Klos said.

The North Country Trail (NCT) is 4,600 miles long and travels through North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Of the 300 miles in Pennsylvania, approximately 96 are within the Forest boundary. The ANF Chapter, one of four NCTA Chapters in Pennsylvania, is responsible for building, maintaining and promoting the ANF section of the Trail. All of the NCT work is done by volunteers.

The ANF works closely with the Chapter to organize and provide volunteers to complete work on the Trail. This past summer, District Ranger Rob Fallon recruited a Student Conservation Association group to work on the Forest. The 10 high school students from the Pittsburgh and Boston area completed 2,791 linear feet of trail clearing, 100 feet of bench construction, 160 feet of puncheon construction and the construction of three rock culverts.

Spring fire season on the ANF turned rainy, so the Bear Paw Fire Crew from Montana that came to help with fire suppression used their time to clear almost a mile of trail.

"These men had great attitudes as well as excellent teamwork and safety standards," said Klos.

The ANF NCTA chapter also awarded a certificate of appreciation to ANF Recreation Manager Robert Wetherell for his continued sawyer training support. Wetherell initially pulled together the Trail's saw use policy. He also holds sawyer training at the NCTA's annual conference and twice throughout the year on Forest for various volunteer groups.

The Klos's said that they value the unique working relationship between their organization and the Forest.

"The ANF deserved the award, earned the award and needed the award to know how much we appreciate their help," Klos explained.

Each year the 96 miles of NCT within the Forest brings numerous visitors to the area. These visitors will continue to enjoy a premier footpath through the Allegheny National Forest thanks to the hard work and cooperation of the ANF and the ANF NCTA chapter.

Story submitted by Chuck Bassett, Fisheries Biologist (906) 789-3336

A cooperative effort involving the US Forest Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA Wildlife Services, Lake Superior State University, the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club, and the Brevoort Lake Association is restoring a depleted sport fishery and expanding knowledge on how avian predators influence fish populations.

The number of fish available for anglers to catch reflects a balance between the number reproduced and the number that are removed by predators and other natural sources of mortality. Increasing mortality caused by rising numbers of predators can substantially reduce numbers of fish available for anglers.

That is what happened in 4,230-acre Brevoort Lake located on the East Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan. The culprit: exploding populations of the double-crested cormorant, a large, dark-colored bird that typically consumes about 1.5 lbs of fish daily (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data). Between the mid-1980s and 2005, numbers of cormorants feeding on the lake during the annual spring migration increased from just a few to over 600 that consumed tens of thousands of pounds of fish.

As the cormorant population grew, Forest Service fishery assessments found that numbers of adult walleye in the lake declined from about 8500 in 1986 to 1200 in 2005. This occurred despite large investments made by the Forest Service and Michigan DNR in habitat improvement and fish stocking. Less than 1 percent of naturally reproduced and stocked walleye were surviving to adult size.

Anglers reported that numbers of large yellow perch also declined sharply. By the late-1990s, the once popular fishing destination was receiving relatively little use. Similar declines in sport fisheries were occurring elsewhere in the Great Lakes Region where cormorant numbers increased several-fold.

Following discussions among Federal, State and local officials, a cormorant "harassment" program was initiated on Brevoort Lake in 2005, under the supervision of USDA Wildlife Services. Local trained "agents" (Lake Association and Sportsmen's Club members) provided dawn to dusk "harrassment" consisting of non-lethal and limited lethal methods for about 30 days following ice-out. All activities and numbers of birds observed and taken were carefully recorded.

As a result of the volunteer patrols, numbers of cormorants on the lake declined from a daily average of 690 in 2005 to 127 in 2007. An estimated 26,600 lbs of fish consumption was prevented in 2005 (USDA Wildlife Services data). A study of cormorant stomach contents conducted by students from Lake Superior State University under the guidance of Dr. Ashley Moerke indicates that in 2005, cormorants on Brevoort Lake consumed more than 1400 young walleye and 108,000 yellow perch during a 30 day period.

Consumption at this level or higher had occurred for at least a decade. It's easy to understand why fishing success for these species declined!

Has the control effort resulted in higher numbers of walleye and perch for anglers? Forest Service assessments found that between 2005 and 2008, numbers of adult walleye in the lake increased more than five-fold. The current population of about 7800 is just slightly lower than the peak numbers found in 1986. Age 3 fish (2005 reproduction) make up about 90 percent of the current population, and are more than twice as abundant as any previously documented age 3 yearclass. Anglers report much improved fishing for large perch.

Are these improvements in fish abundance just coincidence? Maybe, but not likely. The historic 2005 yearclass of walleye is the first in at least 15 years to be largely unhindered by cormorant predation. It appears the balance has been tipped back in favor of more fish for anglers.

Story submitted by Chuck Bassett, Fisheries Biologist 906 789-3336

On a buggy day in May 2008, Eagle Scout candidate James Schmidt, along with 20 fellow scouts and leaders from Troop 408 in Escanaba, MI, installed 12 tons of gravel in Johnson Creek to provide spawning habitat for brook trout. This coldwater stream on the Hiawatha National Forest is one of many that have been improved to produce higher numbers of the native species highly sought by anglers. Materials, equipment and some Forest Service technician labor were funded by a $2500 donation from Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County. Altogether, 3 dump truck loads (about 36 tons) of gravel and cobblestone were placed in the stream with hand labor.

The day began with Fisheries Biologist Chuck Bassett explaining how the project would provide conditions needed by spawning trout. The role of the project in providing self-sustaining fisheries on the Forest also was addressed. Projects such as this produce trout that disperse over several miles of stream.

Gravel was installed by the "bucket brigade" method. The large group of workers made short work of the gravel pile. The rough-placed gravel in the stream was raked to create the depths and current velocities favored by spawning trout.

By early November, more than 20 pairs of brook trout had spawned on the new gravel. Brook trout redds (spawning nests) typically contain at least 300 eggs. Although survival of tiny, newly-hatched trout is usually low under even the best conditions, monitoring results from past projects indicate that Johnson Creek should produce several hundred trout that will eventually contribute to the fishery.

Earlier investments in sediment control activities upstream from the gravel project encourage survival of trout eggs and fry. A road crossing that had been a major source of sediment input to the stream was reconstructed and paved during 2007. An instream sediment basin captures most of the transported sediment that otherwise could bury spawning gravel and suffocate trout eggs.

Dr. Paul Doss, a Professor of Hydro-Geology, served as a guest scientist on the Huron-Manistee National Forests through a partnership agreement with the Geologic Society of America. Doss worked with Huron-Manistee staff to develop a ground-water sampling strategy to address the deficiencies in information for ground-water extraction on water dependent ecosystems.

Doss presented his findings on large-scale groundwater/surface water interactions in the headwaters of the White River basin November 7 at the Supervisor's Office of the Huron-Manistee.

The ultimate goal of the analysis was to create field data that would show the linkage between ground-water and surface water in water dependent ecosystems. Towards this, Doss designed a sampling strategy to address some of the deficiencies within the existing field data.

By placing wells at strategic locations, he was able to monitor the water levels to find baseline data for the river basin over the next year. Monitors located within the wells collect the data which is then downloaded into a computer for analysis. The wells are placed approximately 50 feet apart at various elevations to obtain a range of data.

The project is currently in its beginning stages and it will be at least a year before an accumulation of data is collected to create the needed baseline data.

"The implications of this monitoring are tremendous," said Dr. Pat Fowler, Hydrologist for the Huron-Manistee National Forests. "We will gain a better understanding of how these systems work. We will be able to better predict the effects of any proposed groundwater withdrawals on the groundwater dependent ecosystems of the Forests."

Based on the fact that high volume extraction wells lower groundwater, thus diverting stream flow from the channel - the question was what the sustainable yield of ground water within the headwaters of the White River Basin would be.

"The data will be used to model the effects of water withdrawal on nearby groundwater ecosystems," Fowler exdplained. "This is the first near surface groundwater/surface water monitoring data collected on the Huron-Manistee National Forests. This monitoring will help us understand the groundwater/surface water dynamics, ultimately refining our concepts of how these systems work."

Doss will be monitoring the sample wells through the spring of 2009. The Huron-Manistee is hopeful that monitoring efforts can continue past the initial year.

Doss is a professor in the Department of Geology at the University of Southern Indiana and was stationed out of the Baldwin office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests during his stint as a guest scientist. Doss said he was very enthusiastic about his experience on the Huron-Manistee and was grateful for the opportunity to work here during his sabbatical.

What do the Nature Conservancy, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Alger County Conservation District, Marquette County Conservation District, Moosewood Nature Center, Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy, Superior Watershed Partnership, Borealist Seed Company and Hiawatha National Forest have in common?

Well for one thing, this same group of interested organizations, agencies and individuals have worked together for many years to control invasive species by hosting volunteer work days. In addition, they have offered educational workshops on invasive species beginning each year during National Invasive Species Awareness Week and have provided invasive species educational programs to groups such as the North Country Trail Association.

During these past years this group was known as the "Upper Peninsula Invasive Species Council" or UPIC. It was the group's intent to eventually formalize a Certified Weed Management Area (CWMA)and begin broader working relationships with other interested parties such as the State of Michigan, townships and counties. Finally during the summer of 2008 this process began with developing a formal working relationship under the Forest Service through a Memorandium of Understanding.

The need to establish the MOU at this time was spurred by the clear need to increase invasive species awareness in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Central Upper Peninsula Certified Weed Management Area (CUPCWMA) MOU will strive to remove non-native invasive terrestrial and aquatic plants through volunteer workdays, mapping of known locations and providing a central place for data collection. The partners aim to increase public awareness through educational workshops and trainings on invasive species. The group's current goal is to control existing populations of invasive species and help reduce future spread. The coalition will be a leading force in invasive species education. Education is by far the most essential tool available to bring about the eventual control of invasive species.

Through the Forest Service volunteer program, members of UPIC and now the newly formed CUPCWMA group have worked on the Hiawatha National Forest helping the Forest meet its NNIS targets. During the summer of 2008, volunteers pulled weeds from approximately 200 acres at selected Forest sites such as Grand Island National Recreation Area and Lake Michigan's shoreline at Indian Point within piping plover habitat. In addition to removal of invasive species, volunteers from UPIC also helped restore nearly one acre of degraded Forest lands through the planting of native plants, enhancing existing pollinator species habitat on Grand Island NRA and existing monarch butterfly openings on the Stonington Peninsula.

Workdays and educational workshops for 2009 have already been planned. The group is also creating its own website. Funding for the website was provided by Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy. It is not currently up and running but in the near future you will find us at www.upicweeds.org, in addition to our page on the Forest website.

By Michelle Burnett and Gwyn Ingram

When European settlers moved into the South Carolina piedmont, they navigated lush woodlands teeming with wildlife. American Indian inhabitants of the area routinely burned off the forest undergrowth, creating open forested areas of mature pine and hardwoods and lush meadows of bunch grasses, forbs and flowers. Bears, deer, elk and even bison roamed the landscape; the grasslands were rich with rabbits, wild turkeys and quail; and the trees were filled with songbirds.

But the nature of the landscape would change with its settlement; land was cleared for farming and the lush woodland habitat steadily diminished. Much of the piedmont forests would rapidly transform into farmland and remain as such into the depression years, when many farmers pulled up stakes and moved on.

In the subsequent years to the present, suitable habitat receded with the spread of urban areas and the changing of agricultural practices. The propagation of non-native grasses for livestock fodder introduced those foreign species to wild lands. Once established, they out-competed native warm season grasses which provided habitat for quail and certain songbirds; the area suffered declines in those species.

Because any change in an ecosystem has a ripple effect up the chain, land management professionals recognized a need for action, and so the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative was born.

Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships!

In 2004, the US Forest Service (USFS), SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) first came together to discuss what would become today an approximately 16,000-acre project including national forest (8,300 acres) and private lands (7,700). The initiative is a cooperative partnership comprised of state, federal and local agencies; private landowners; and conservation organizations (Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, East Piedmont Resource Conservation and Development Council, National Wild Turkey Federation, NRCS, Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District, Quail Unlimited, SCDNR, South Carolina Forestry Commission, USFS and 21 private landowners).

Its main purpose is to restore and improve habitat for species that depend on grassland and similar habitats to the point where it resembles landscape the European settlers saw when they first arrived in the area.

Improving Wildlife Habitat and Forest Health

The partners are working toward the goal of improving wildlife habitat and forest health on both national forest and private lands in a variety of ways, including: encouraging and facilitating implementation of management practices on national forest lands; contacting all private landowners within the initiative area and encouraging them to participate; maintaining an ongoing cost-share program for private landowners through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (through NRCS), the National Forest Foundation and other sources; implementing an aggressive and effective public relations and outreach plan; monitoring and tracking habitat improvements; monitoring populations of select wildlife species; and serving as a model for public/private land partnerships through integrated resource management, applied science and public education.

If You Create the Habitat, They Will Come

Various land management practices within the project area target creation of habitat for species such as bobwhite quail, Bachman's Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike and other species that benefit from early successional habitat. Activities that help create this habitat include selective harvesting, prescribed burning, selective herbicide application and native warm season grass establishment. Through use of the Wyden Amendment, the Forest Service is able to burn adjacent private land when burning agency land.

To date, the accomplishments in the project area on private lands include: native warm season grass establishment (44.1 acres); native warm season grass no till (68.1 acres); prescribed burning (1,028 acres in 2006; 668.2 acres in 2008); timber stand improvement (741 acres); and debris removal (logging decks-19.5 acres).

On national forest lands, accomplishments include: National Environmental Policy Act approved on 3,305 acres of regeneration and 5,083 acres of thinning; and prescribed burning (2,501 acres in 2006; 2,160 acres in 2007).

Setting a National Example

Such numbers alone attest to the project's success, but it seems that creative collaboration is not just its own reward. On November 14, Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell and Southern Region Regional Forester Liz Agpaoa traveled to the Sumter National Forest to honor the employees of the Enoree Ranger District for the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative.

The National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR) presented the district with the national John R. McGuire Award for outstanding work in natural resource management. The award is named in honor of John R. McGuire, who served as the 10th Chief of the Forest Service from 1972-1979, and helped draft the National Forest Management Act. The NAFSR is a nonprofit organization of former agency employees who are dedicated to the promotion of the ideals and principles of natural resource conservation on national forests.

"This project represents the joining of people from all disciplines to tackle an issue that transcends property boundaries," said Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Forest Supervisor Jerome Thomas. "It is a fine example of bringing to the table each of our different perspectives and moving forward effectively with a common goal. It is through partnerships like this that we can hope not only to promote a wider understanding of our goals as an agency, but also to gain a more personal understanding of the hopes and concerns of the public."

Looking Toward the Future

The most important and unique attribute of the overall initiative remains the integration of work across adjoining public and private lands and the benefits that will be realized from this partnership. The project is a true example of how partners can come together with a common goal to manage on a landscape scale that slows or reverses declining breeding populations of particular wildlife species that flourish in early seral stage habitats.

While 21 landowners are currently involved, the potential exists for up to 43 private landowners to participate. Given the accomplishments of the award-winning project thus far and the resourcefulness and creativity of its participants, it is undoubtedly only a matter of time before more private landowners join the exceptional partnership that makes the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative such a great success.

Thanks to funding provided to the Hiawatha NF from the Washington Office we were able to expand the existing native plant garden at the Rapid River Ranger Station and create an interpretive site for pollinator species habitat.

Funding allowed the Forest to contracting botanist Dan McConnell to implement this project. Dan planned all the work including collecting seed used for the project and planning its propagation methods at the Forest greenhouse. Then he organized and supervised a workshop session held during the National Monarch Butterfly Habitat Restoration Workshop earlier this year; workshop participants planted nearly 1000 plugs for this project. Dan designed the expansion of the existing garden and then cut the landscape timbers and supervised volunteers during the implementation phase of the pollinator garden. In addition, Dan wanted to save all the removed sod from the garden expansion area. It was removed in rolls, wrapped for winter storage and will be used in the spring of 2009 to replace sod damaged from snowplowing.

All the native seed used for propagation was collected from the Forest or purchased from Borealis Seed Company located in Big Bay, Michigan. Species selected were those currently being used by pollinators within restored monarch openings within a few miles of the Rapid River office and included common milkweed, blazing star, black-eyed Susan and bee balm.

The project also has an educational component. This upcoming winter Dan is preparing an interpretive brochure for the pollinator garden so Forest visitors can learn more about pollinators and their habitat requirements. In addition, interpretive signs for each native plant are currently being developed and will be placed by each native plant species.

Chad Kirschbaum (Botanist) and Sarah Harrelson (volunteer and former WNF employee) reported on the quality of the Ironton District's wetlands at the Ohio Biological Survey's annual meeting this Saturday. They presented the results from vegetation monitoring completed this past summer using wetland quality assessment protocols created by the Ohio EPA.

This past spring, Chad Kirschbaum, Kari Kirschbaum and Becky Ewing choose 4 wetlands to study; 1 natural wetland and 3 restored wetlands. Sarah installed vegetation monitoring plots in each wetland and used Ohio's Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI) to score each wetland. VIBI is a multimetric index comprised of 10 metrics with a maximum score of 100 and a minimum score of 0. The VIBI score is calculated by summing the 10 metric scores. For emergent wetlands, these metrics include the number of Carex species, native dicot species, native wetland shrub species, hydrophyte species, the ratio of annual to perennial species, Floristic Quality Assessment score, relative cover of sensitive plant species, relative cover of tolerant plant species, relative cover of invasive graminoids and standing biomass.

The project was funded using $500 in grant funds from the Ohio Biological Survey, approximately $2200 of in-kind volunteer services from Harrelson and about $1500 from the WNF inventory and monitoring program. Harrelson contributed over 112 hours of field work and data analysis time to the project.

"The wetlands that we surveyed on the Wayne National Forest are providing excellent habitat for wildlife and plants" concluded Harrleson at the Ohio Biological Survey meeting on Saturday. Based on the analysis of the VIBI scores, the natural wetland Brushy Fork; and Superior Wetland, a restored wetland were ranked as "Wetland Habitat" which means they are functioning and healthy wetlands. Sand Fork and Symmes Creek restored wetlands ranked as "Restorable Wetland Habitat" which means management activities such as controlling water levels, seeding with native species and controlling invasive species could improve the quality of that habitat. The lower scores at Sand Fork and Symmes Creek are likely due to large areas of the wetland (include the areas sampled) being covered by water or by being covered by just a few dominant plant species.

Invasive species were also mapped and a complete census of plant species was compiled for each wetland. Though some invasive species were noted such as reed canary grass, (Phalaris arundinacea), Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and common niad (Najas major), these do not seem to be a major threat right now. "We hope to control these populations while they are still small" said Ironton District Wildlife Biologist, Kari Kirschbaum.

This summer a new wetland design was implemented by Forest Service Biologists, Kari Kirschbaum and Tom Biebighauser at Whitaker Wetland site which should improve upon the previous wetland designs by creating shallow pools of water and large areas of emergent vegetation. This design more closely mimics the hydrology of historic wetlands and will be easier to maintain. Because this design will have more area of exposed mudflats and emergent vegetation, it is expected that VIBI scores from this wetland will be higher than VIBI scores from previous wetland restorations.

Kirschbaum and Harrelson would like to follow-up this work by installing more of these plots on additional restored and natural wetlands on the Ironton Ranger District. The Wayne National Forest has restored 6 wetlands over the last 20 years. In Ohio, wetland restoration is important because over 90% of the state's original wetlands have been drained. Though they are rare, there are a few natural wetlands on the District and two of these, Sardis and Cambria Creek wetlands are protected by the Forest Management plan as Special Management Areas.

By: Ron Scott

November 14, 2008

On October 8, 2008, the Shawnee National Forest was recognized by the American Land Conservancy (ALC) for the Forest's partnership efforts. In the joint endeavor ALC assisted the Forest in acquiring a 26-acre parcel of land near the mouth of the Big Muddy River in Union County, Illinois. This property contains riparian forest, a boat ramp and one-half mile of shore-line that provides access to the Big Muddy and Mississippi Rivers for boaters, anglers, hunters and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

The recognition came as part of a larger dedication event hosted by ALC for the Missouri Department of Conservation's recent purchase of the Windy Bar property on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. The recognition event was held onboard the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's MV Pathfinder.

Becky Banker, Public Affairs Staff Officer for the Shawnee National Forest, presented ALC's Mississippi River Program Director, Jenny Frazier, with a Certificate of Appreciation for ALC's instrumental role in acquiring the Big Muddy Boat Ramp addition for the Forest. According to Banker, "The American Land Conservancy has been an essential partner to the Forest Service in acquiring key parcels of land for federal management in the past and we look forward to working with them in the future."

- more -

The joint efforts of the Forest and ALC to provide access for the public to the Mississippi and Big Muddy Rivers will help connect citizens to the land.

Every three years the Girl Scouts of America host a national conference and the Forest Service has long participated with a presence. The 51st conference of the Girl Scouts was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 30-November 2, 2008. Attended by leaders, staff, and girls from all over the county Sue Cummings from the Washington Office organized the Forest Service booth and brought activity guides, environmental posters, and literature for leaders, and handouts for the girls. The Hoosier National Forest sent 5 professional women up to help staff the booth and provide role models to the future generation. Cummings explained the Forest Service nationally is part of the Linking Girls to the Land program and collaborates on several national programs such as National Public Lands Day and World Water Monitoring Day.

Those of us who went from the Hoosier had a rewarding experience. Kelly Weigel noted a woman came up and told her she admired how Kelly had been able to follow her dream and break into a non-traditional career. Another participant came up and told Cheri how much her Girl Scout troop had enjoyed working with a Passport in Time (PIT) project on a national forest in her area and that the project had made such an impact on the girls and encouraged the Forest Service to offer more PIT projects for girl scouts to participate in.

Many participants stopped and told us about how they had wanted to work for the Forest Service. They talked about wanting to be wildlife biologists or foresters, or wanted to work in a lookout tower. Some said they hadn't been allowed to be foresters or follow such paths years ago and were glad to see women are now working in those careers. Many picked up booklets on Working for the Great Outdoors for their troops to encourage them to look at similar jobs. One woman said her life's dream was to have a dog, a good book, and live in a lookout tower in the mountains. Since she was in her 60s, she had a great dog and read lots of good books so she guessed she'd have to settle for that. We told her she could rent a lookout tower out west for the weekend, and take her dog and her book and still fulfill her life's dream. She was so excited at the idea that she went off grinning.

Weigel noted that she was especially impressed with the troop leaders who stopped to find out where the nearest national forest was to their town. She said some were adamant that they wanted to get their girls out into the outdoors to camp and learn more about their environment. They were looking for wherever the Forest Service could suggest they go, and whatever activities and tools the Forest Service could recommend to get those lessons across to their troops.

Those of us who attended the conference and helped Sue staff the booth: Becky Bade, Stacy Duke, Ruth Siddens, Cheri Stoops, Kelly Weigel, and I all agree it was time well spent. We felt good about the contacts we made and the women we met and what they were doing to teach American girls more about their environment.

Hiawatha National Forest volunteer, Steve Baker, travels from his home in northern lower Michigan near Houghton Lake (below the bridge) to the West Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest in central Upper Peninsula of Michigan in his quest to help protect one of the last known populations of Amerorchis rotundifolia. Steve spends nearly 6 hours one way in his hybrid car just to get to the Munising area. Steve, who also volunteers on the East Unit providing rare plant monitoring assistance there too, is an exceptional field botanist/ecologist who has noted over the past few years dramatic changes in orchid populations.

Steve approached the HNF during the winter of 2008 to offer his services to document and establish a monitoring station around our last known population of Amerorchis. Reduced budgets and loss of botanical personnel have placed a high burden on the two remaining botanical staff on the Forest, so having someone with so much experience and desire to help with rare plant monitoring was an early Christmas present for Forest botanical staff that very cold winter day in 2008 when Steve called to offer his services.

During the summer of 2008 Forest botany staff met with Steve and acquainted him with the last known population that is still on the Forest and worked with him to come up with a monitoring plan. Steve spent nearly 3 days in the field on the West Unit of the Forest mapping with GPS during the height of the U.P.'s "bug season", documenting with photography populations and habitat, and counting all flowering and non-flowering plants. While sloshing through the wetlands, he drew boundaries on aerial photos, documented habitat characteristics and noted impacts to this rare orchis ecosystem. On his return home he spent more time writing his field notes and ultimately provided an indepth survey of his findings. Steve stated he couldn't wait unti the summer of 2009 to do it all over again. Now that is dedication!

During the summer of 2008, Steve noted human impacts were very evident, as he saw increased trampling and creating of foot paths into some of the Amerorchis populations. He even had the pleasure of meeting one of the State's most reknowned botanist who first documented Amerorchis in the U.P who was out trying to find an Amerorchis, hoping to see the species just one last time.

Of particular interest to Forest management at Munising Ranger District, Steve noted recent OHV impacts within the fen ecosystem just outside of one population. The OHV impacts were very severe to this rare ecosystem and likely will be lasting impacts for years to come.

With Steve's work we were finally able to map out the current boundary for the Amerorchis population and document the number of individuals within that boundary. Comparing Steve's work with an informal documentation of the boundary done three years ago we found a dramatic decrease in flowering individuals, nearly half the number counted in 2006. We also compared Steve's 2008 monitoring with the original monitoring that was done more than 25 years ago by the botanist he ran into while he was there. Although they were difficult to detect, we discovered the orginal blazed trees and were able to locate nearly all of them; But we found no evidence of the original plants that were first documented there. The new populations had moved to likely the last strong hold for this species.

Steve also documented other associated plants in order to measure the full range of impacts. Because this species is so dependent on the slightest hyrdological and climatic change, we hope to gain valuable information and a better understanding of the impacts from climatic fluctuations.

(Contributed by Linda Parker, 715-762-5169)

Over 50 forestry professionals representing government, industry and private enterprises from three states came to Wisconsin to learn how to apply the concepts of Ecological Forestry to sustainable forest management systems. The Forest Guild in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, the U.S. Forest Service Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Northern Research Station, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Forestry Network hosted an Ecological Forestry Workshop on October 7th and 8th in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. Instructors included the esteemed researcher Jerry Franklin of the University of Washington.

Increasingly, forest managers and policy makers are looking at natural disturbance regimes and stand development patterns as guides for forest management. "Incorporating these ideas into existing and emerging sustainable forest management practices is at the heart of an ecological forestry approach" said Brian Palik of the Northern Research Station and a co-organizer of the workshop. As a part of this workshop participants learn the importance of biological legacies, to recognize the role of stand development processes and disturbances, and appreciate the role of recovery periods between disturbance events. The Workshop also addresses how to apply ecological forestry principles to management scenarios ranging from commodity production to reserve management in relation to forest certification systems, impacts of invasive species, wildlife habitat management, forest restoration, and climate change.

According to John DuPlissis, Forestry Outreach Specialist at UWSP's College of Natural Resources, the Ecological Forestry Workshop is designed to improve forest practices across North America by bringing together experts, land managers, stakeholders and decision-makers to learn, shape, and share innovative practices across the diverse range of American forests and communities.

Linda Parker, Forest Ecologist on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, helped plan this workshop and an earlier one held in Keshena, Wisconsin. This year Linda gave an evening presentation on Carbon Management, a topic of great interest to Forestry professionals who are keen to learn how a changing climate may affect forests and the forestry profession. Many Ecological Forestry practices dovetail very well with climate change mitigation practices.

For more information about Ecological Forestry Workshops contact Zander Evans at 505-983-8992, ext.36 or by e-mail at zander@forestguild.org, or check out their website at http://www.forestguild.org/ .

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. Dutch Elm Disease (DED) has greatly reduced or eliminated the American elm component of hardwood forests and riparian ecosystems on the CNF. The objective of this project is to strengthen the tolerance to DED in the landscape of the CNF without narrowing the genetic base of the remaining elm population.

With a two-phase approach, the Chippewa National Forest intends to combine the DED tolerance of existing elm cultivars with the cold-hardiness and genetic diversity of local American elm populations. The hope is the effort will hasten natural selection for resistance, and the return of the American elm component in the landscape of the Chippewa.

Phase 1 - During the summer of 2007, known large living "wild" American elms on the Chippewa National Forest were evaluated and four of these "survivor" elms were selected to use in cross pollination. A team of biologists and silviculturists selected a planting site on each district on the Chippewa for a total of three sites. These sites are 1.2 acres each and are located in natural plant communities where American elm occurred historically.

During February 2008, branch material from the four survivor trees was collected and sent to the NRS office in Delaware, Ohio. There the branches were forced to bloom and cross-pollinated with trees known to possess high tolerance to Dutch Elm Disease. The seeds from these crosses were sown and grown resulting in 575 seedlings that should possess both cold hardiness and disease tolerance characteristics. Also during the summer of 2008 the three selected sites on the Forest were prepared for planting.

On November 6, 2008, 575 American elm seedlings arrive on the Chiipewa. These seedlings are trees produced from crosses between cultivars with known tolerance to Dutch Elm Disease and four surviving trees on the Chippewa. The potted trees will be stored on the Chippewa over the winter and they will be planted on the three prepared sites in the Spring of 2009. Fencing will be required for every tree to protect them from deer predation and rubbing, which can destroy these trees.

Tree growth and hardiness will be monitored on every tree each year. After growing for six years the elm trees will be tested for DED tolerance. This is done by putting the DED fungus into holes drilled into their trunks. The actual strain of fungus used will be collected on or near the Chippewa National Forest. Four weeks after the trees are inoculated with the DED fungus leaf wilting and foliage death will be recorded. The percent of crown dieback will be evaluated each year thereafter. Those individual trees that overcome the disease and survive will be known to have inherited DED tolerance from their disease tolerant parent. Trees that demonstrate both DED tolerance and good cold hardiness will be used in the second phase of this project.

Long term monitoring will be conducted by the Northern Research Station in Grand Rapids, MN, coordinating with the station in Delware. Young trees that die will be replaced through time as to maintain fully stocked plantings of at least 330 trees on each one acre site. Once established these trees should cross pollinate with each other and with other wild trees, strengthening the genetic tolerance to DED in the native population over time.

More branch material will be collected this winter and sent to NRS for more pollen collection and see production. Five hundred additional trees will need to be produced in 2009 to complete planting.

It wasn't the typical family naturalist program on the Chippewa National Forest. This one was complete with a jack-o-lantern trail, owl calls and the most beautiful night sky you've ever seen. It was our 1st Annual Howl-O-Ween Event at Shingobee Hills Recreation Area.

On October 30, the Chippewa National Forest partnered with the Walker Hackensack Akeley School District and Walker Community Education to present Howl-O-Ween, a family friendly event focused on the Forest at night. Students from the Walker High School Mammalogy Class came out early in the week to carve out pumpkins in the shapes of animal tracks, and helped to put together six critter stations. When families arrived on the evening of October 30, they were greeted by a warm bonfire at the top of the sledding hill and invited by other high school students to take in the scene below, which included the pumpkin-lit 1/2 mile trail with the six critter stations.

Visitors hiked down the trail to the historic Shingobee Chalet, a CCC building, and were giving a list of six scavenger hunt questions to ask at the critter stations. When they set out on the trail, they found pumpkin lanterns lighting their way, and were greeted by glowing "Critter Volunteers", local teachers and friends from the community.

Each station highlighted a Forest mammal, including bats, bears, deer, wolves, big cats and owls. Families learned about owl pellets and wolf teeth, deer antlers and lynx paws. The kids had a great time seeing the animal skulls, pelts and tracks, and also did some early trick-o-treating along the trail as they received a treat at each station, thanks to community donations. Taped sounds of deer snorts, wolf howls and owl calls were also echoing in the night air.

Over 100 people ventured out onto our night trail with many kids hiking the Critter Loop at least two or three times. Evidence to the great jobs of the staff and volunteers out on the loop. Special thanks to Forest Service employees Sonja Hoie, Deb Overton and Traci Cloud for their work with the critter stations, and big thanks to the Walker Ranger District Staff and Law Enforcement Officer Paul Nordeen for making sure the trails were safe and we had plenty of firewood for the marshmallow roast!

At the end of the evening, as we were picking up the pumpkin lanterns and putting our animal calls away…..we paused on the dark trail to look up at the night sky. A reminder of how wonderful it is to explore this Forest from a different perspective. Everyone then decided this would become an annual event---a cool October night, great fun with a wonderful group of partners, the Big Dipper hovering over the top of the hill, and, at the very end, the call of real coyotes in the night air. The Forest at night is an amazing place, and this event introduced many of our visitors that there are adventures out there at all times of year…. and times of day!

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of our nation's recreation sites, including several on the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) in Pennsylvania. Some of the CCC boys that worked at Twin Lakes and Loleta Recreation Areas operated out of CCC Camp ANF-1 in Duhring, just a few miles north of the village of Marienville.

For a few weeks this summer, a team of landscape architects and historic preservationists from the University of Colorado, led by Associate Professor Ann Komara, worked to inventory and record the site (which is located on private property within the ANF) and explore issues for future management of this unique and valuable resource. Not only is CCC Camp ANF-1 the second (or maybe the first, depending who you talk to) of the CCC's twenty-six hundred camps, it may also be the most complete remaining camp, with over half of the CCC buildings still standing.

While many of the CCC's recreation facilities still exist in public lands throughout the country, the practical structures still actually in use are much more rare: the CCC typically removed their own camp buildings when the camps closed. There may only be about a half dozen former CCC camps in the nation that currently have camp buildings.

To assist with efforts of the landscape architecture studio, Marienville Ranger District archaeologist Amanda Glaz provided the group with a PowerPoint overview of the camp's history, and shared historic images of the camp. The MRD Heritage Resources crew visited the site to learn about new finds (including a fire hose marked "CCC"), and help the Colorado students establish survey datums.

Bradford District archaeologist Jack McLaughlin also provided context for the CCC on the ANF, and both districts provided field equipment for use during the course. Dr. Michael Schultz entertained the Colorado crew with many stories and background information about Duhring and other ANF CCC camps. Professor Isabelle Champlin (University of Pittsburgh at Bradford) brought her archaeological fieldschool students to spend a day conducting field work, exposing several areas of intact brick walkways.

Professor Komara and colleagues graciously provided site tours to associates of the ANF, Pennsylvania Lumber Heritage Region, Pennsylvania Wilds, Clarion River Municipal Partnership, Millstone Township, and a group of several high school students participating in the Archaeological Fieldschool and Study Program conducted by Clarion University of PA, on the ANF (a project supported by Elk County Commissioners, Forest County Conservation District, and Stackpole-Hall Foundation).

Several area residents also reached out to share information and tour the site, indicating the great local interest and excitement regarding the Duhring camp. Furthering these connections, John Imhof, MRD Archaeologist, reciprocated with a guided interpretive tour of the Arroyo tannery ghost town site. Millstone Township Supervisor Eric Patton also provided an overview of the area's logging history.

The property owners generously provided access to the camp, as well as their own family history and knowledge of the Duhring area. Professor Komara and colleagues developed a draft brochure explaining the site's history and significance.

In a short period of time, numerous people were privileged to have experienced a little bit of the landscape and history of the first CCC camp in Pennsylvania. The interest shown by everyone involved is a hopeful indication of the positive impact that this will continue to have into the future.

A group of seven high school students and three counselors signed up to experience the life of a Civilian Conservation Corps enrollee. From June 22-27, 2008, this diverse group of kids - urban and rural, boys and girls - tried their hand at the hard work that CCC "boys" once did on the Allegheny National Forest.

This crew worked at Twin Lakes, a campground constructed by the CCCs in the 1930s, and planted trees, an activity once repeated by the CCCs, who planted over 2 billion seedlings over the course of the CCC program. The high school students also visited a modern sawmill and observed horse logging, to help them understand the history of land use on what is now the ANF.

Rare footage of some of the last railroad logging in Pennsylvania showed the dangerous and harsh work environment endured by loggers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Students visited the Little Arnot research plot and saw the progression of the forest over the past several decades. The Kane Experimental Forest, where African American CCC enrollees once aided with forestry research, provided workspace and 1930s ambiance.

All of the experiences and materials provided for the students were aimed at putting the CCC and their work into context - what did they do? How did they do it? Where did they do it? Why is their work still important to us today, 75 years after the inception of the CCC program?

Students visited some of the first CCC red pine plantations in the nation, discussed transportation in the 1930s, and wondered whether they would have signed up for the backbreaking labor if their family was barely making ends meet. Students made comparisons of 1930s life and culture to their own - CCC camps were segregated into black camps and white camps, and women's camps were virtually unheard of.

What must it have been like to have been shipped on a train from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or Scranton, and dropped off a few miles from your (nonexistent) camp site? Could you live in a tent without electricity for 6 months, while the barracks were being built, as the CCCs at Duhring did? For that matter, what must it have been like living in an uninsulated barracks building?

Private property owners generously allowed the group to visit the Duhring CCC camp and observe actual CCC barracks that have changed very little in their 75 years of existence. For the majority of our students, their week at Twin Lakes campground was the first experience camping of their lives.

Students developed a first-hand understanding of working on the ground, and spent time in the woods, picking berries and learning about trees. Many pondered the question: does nature make you a different person?

The program was developed by Susan Stout and Barb McGuinness at the Northern Research Lab in Irvine, PA, with assistance from ANF resource specialists Joe Gomola, Joe Langianese, John Lee, Shauna Monroe, Mike Spisak, Scot Tepke, and Amanda Glaz. Todd Ristau of the Lab provided technical support, and Julie Smithbauer of the KEF made sure the facilities were amenable. The owners of the Duhring CCC camp allowed the use of their property for educational purposes, providing a resource no longer existent on ANF lands.

Snowy owls, so rarely seen, have been frequent visitors to the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the past several weeks. Residents of the arctic, Snowy owls move south in late fall seeking better habitat. Recently, an adult snowy owl was photographed perched on the roof of a local lumber company overlooking an open field. Snowy owls frequent open fields and marshes and enjoy hunting these areas, but in taking to flight from these level fields, it can put them directly in the path of motorists on adjoining roadways. This was sadly evident when in late October, an adult Snowy owl was found deceased along a roadway outside of Ontonagon, Michigan, after being hit be a vehicle.

On the evening of November 5th, a call came in to Dawn Buss-Glodowski with the Ottawa National Forest, Ontonagon Ranger District, of a wounded Snowy owl on Old Highway 28. Dawn and her husband, Brian, saw the bird was injured, took steps to rescue it, and transported it to the Ontonagon District office the next morning. It appeared the juvenile Snowy owl had also been hit by a vehicle next to an open field and sustained a broken wing. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Biologist Rob Aho was able to organize a "shuttle" for the bird to a State Rehabilitation Center in Rapid River, Michigan. While waiting to shuttle the bird, Mr. Aho and Dawn took the owl to the Ontonagon Elementary School for kids to quietly enjoy an upclose view of the Snowy owl in its carrier, and to take in a quick lesson about owls in the Upper Peninsula. The bird seemed calm and alert and is now literally "on the road" to recovery!

There is growing evidence that today's youth are gravitating away from the natural world in favor of sedentary indoor activities. The negative effects of this shift, including obesity and attention deficit disorder, are being felt around the country. Fortunately, many people are becoming aware of the problem, in part due to the Richard Louv's popular book, "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder." For example, the Chief of the Forest Service has made "connecting kids to the woods" one of three agency priorities.

Many National Forests, including the Hiawatha, are ideally situated to help address this societal issue by striving to "leave no child inside." This year, one of the Hiawatha's most successful "leave no child inside" programs was the Rapid River/Manistique District's "Kids in the Woods" program.

Kids in the Woods, provided in partnership with YMCA of Delta County and Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County, aimed to reconnect kids with the outdoors through physically active outdoor pursuits and outdoor educational programs.

"Although we live in close proximity to abundant woods and water," says Anne Okonek, Forest Service coordinator for the project, "we understand that some parents may not have the background or the resources to teach their kids about the woods and a land ethic. They may not know where to go or what to do."

The program was designed to strengthen kids' outdoor connections by giving them a wide range of experiences in the outdoors. Each Thursday, for 8 weeks, 50 youngsters from the Delta County (Escanaba) YMCA were bussed to different Forest Service recreation sites, to learn about and develop an appreciation for the woods. There were four activity sessions each day, each approximately 45 minutes in length. Some activities, such as kayaking, took 1.5 hours (or 2 sessions).

"Forest Service staff, YMCA personnel, and community volunteers guided kids in various activities," explains Okonek, "from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rock climbing wall, swimming and kayaking to journaling, nature crafts, fossil identification, tagging Monarch butterflies and Native American dance."

Youth also got hands-on experience with bug and scavenger hunts, orienteering, plant and aquatic critter identification, and birding. They participated in activities that taught them how to "give back" to the forest by cleaning up trash, fixing a hiking trail, and transplanting native plants.

How was the program received?

According to one parent, "I was amazed how much my son learned and did!"

Another parent explained, "My child seems to be more adventurous and doesn't freak out about snakes, spiders and frogs as much. "

Post-program evaluations also point to the success of the District's Kids in the Woods partnership. Based on evaluations by the parents and their kids, we know that 89% of parents who responded to the survey said that their kids wanted to spend more time in the woods as a result of the Kids in the Woods program. In addition, 90% said that their kids would like to attend another KIW program if held again next year!

The Forest and its partners are currently seeking funding to duplicate the project in 2009. This year's project was funded with special funds ("4% Funds") provided by the Regional Office.

The effort to provide such programming is clearly worth it, contends Okonek, particularly when you listen to what the kids and their parents have to say.

"My son really gained self-confidence and matured immensely during this trips. He learned many things that are not taught in school or daycare. I work full time and can't provide these activities. He came home every Thursday tired and excited about what he learned. He reenacted every detail to me. He was very "pumped" about kayaking. I'm sure I'll be buying some in the near future."

Shawnee National Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas was recently honored at the National Rise to the Future Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Each year the Rise to the Future program recognizes the outstanding achievements across the nation in the conservation and management of our aquatic resources. This year Nicholas was selected for the Line Officer award for his leadership and support of the Shawnee's Fisheries and Aquatics Program.

Every fisheries biologist dreams of working for a line officer who is committed to building and sustaining a successful fisheries program. On the Shawnee National Forest, that dream is a reality. As the Forest Supervisor, Nicholas has taken a keen interest in the fisheries program. When he arrived on the Forest in 2002, the fisheries program was floundering. From the beginning Nicholas recognized the importance of building a strong fisheries program and has demonstrated his support of the program numerous times.

Under Nicholas's leadership, the Forest has achieved great success and has been recognized numerous times over the past six years. Some highlights include the 2005 Rise to Future Award for Recreational Fisheries Accomplishments, the 2006 Rise to the Future Award for Aquatic Monitoring and, in 2007, the Forest Fish Tales conservation education program was selected as the winner of the 4-H Natural Resources/Environmental Educational Award.

The aquatics program has also been active in mentoring students by hosting two Student Career Employment Program students (Fisheries and Ecology), twenty Student Training Employment Program students and three Hutton Jr. Fish Biologist Scholars. Perhaps the crowning achievement is the number of partnerships that have been forged with local, state and government agencies and with local universities.

These partnerships have enabled the Forest to complete aquatic research projects, stream habitat improvement projects and large lake improvement projects.

Given Nicholas's selfless character he gives credit to those on the Forest who work on-the-ground to make each program successful. However, without the leadership and commitment to the fisheries program these accomplishments would not have been possible. The Forest has achieved great success primarily because our Forest Supervisor expressed a genuine interest in fisheries, valued the goals of the fisheries program, understood the need to protect and enhance aquatic resources and realized the positive benefits (both internally and externally) that a successful fisheries program would bring to the Forest.

Nicholas serves as a shining example of how leadership and support from the line officer position is critical to all fisheries programs nationwide.

In 2008, the Huron-Manistee National Forestes successfully completed 41 riparian and aquatic projects, in large part due to the contributions of nearly $915,000 and countless volunteer hours from 36 partners. Improvement work was done on 53 miles of stream and 800 acres of lakes. Another 20 miles of streams and 1,680 acres of lake had fisheries inventory work conducted on them.

Implementing Forest Plan objectives, employees worked alongside Conservation Resource Alliance, Consumers Energy, Elk Township, Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), Great Lakes Commission, Lake County Road Commission, Lake Mitchell Improvement Board, Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan River Guides Association, Muskegon Conservation District, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, National Forest Foundation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Osceola County Road Commission, Pere Marquette Watershed Council, Pine River Association, Red Cedar Flyfishers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, various chapters of Trout Unlimited, and the Wellston Boosters Association.

Over 180 trees were placed in the Manistee River as part of the restoration program during this multiyear project in which over 1000 trees have been placed. This large wood restoration project replaced a portion of the downed trees removed during the logging era. Using a heavy-lift helicopter, trees are placed to form log jams to provide fish cover and habitat for other riparian wildlife (birds, reptiles, and mink), as well as providing streambank protection.

Management of pedestrian access was also part of our 2008 fisheries and watershed program on the Manistee National Forest. Conservation Resource Alliance and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians worked with the Forest Service to restore degraded riparian habitats from the impacts of intense angler use along the Manistee River. Boardwalks, stairways, and fencing were constructed to facilitate angler pedestrian traffic through the sensitive riparian habitat. Interpretive displays to raise public awareness of these resources were also installed.

Within the headwater tributary to the Pine River, a National Scenic River and State-designated Natural River, a partnership was used to upgrade a poorly designed stream crossing that was delivering sand to the stream system. The crossing was revamped through the removal of failing arch culverts and the installation of a timber bridge. Other best management practices (BMPs) such as road and ditch runoff controls, paving of bridge approaches and curbing, and revegetation and streambank stabilization and protection were employed. These efforts resulted in an estimated reduction of 15 tons/year in sediment delivery, enhanced passage for aquatic organisms, and reduced flooding potential and maintenance costs for the county road commission.

A similar project was undertaken at Dewitt's Bridge on the Little Manistee River. BMPs included the paving of approaches, curbing installation on a bridge deck, and diversion outlets.

Sediment removal through the maintenance of sand traps on a dozen streams enhanced/restored aquatic habitat by reducing excess sand bedload that covered spawning gravel and fills in pool habitat.

Other fish habitat improvements undertaken in 2008 took place on Bigelow Creek and Mena Creek. Approximately 30 structures were maintained and shrubs were planted to increase fish cover and improve habitat. Instream cover was also restored in Mena Creek, a coldwater tributary to the White River. Fish cover structures were also installed in the Little Manistee River, a state-designated Blue Ribbon Trout Stream near Old Grade Campground.

Recreational fishing opportunities in several lakes within our forest were replenished through fish stocking by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians operated their streamside sturgeon rearing unit again in 2008, releasing 20+ juveniles in September. This ongoing program is part of the overall recovery program for this State-threatened species.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians also conducted biological sampling, including electrofishing for fish population trends, aquatic invertebrate sampling, water quality sampling, and habitat assessments. Similar sampling was done by the MDNR. The results of this sampling are used by the Forest Service as part of our Forest Plan monitoring and evaluation program.

The Forest Service worked with the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board to control an invasive aquatic weed, Eurasian milfoil, using milfoil weevils and herbicide treatments on Lake Mitchell, a 2,600 acre lake on the Manistee National Forest, including the vicinity of Hemlock Campground. An estimated 300 acres of this lake were treated.

The Forest once again hosted Free Fishing Day events, volunteer cleanup days, and environmental education activities that brought kids and adults by the hundreds outdoors to participate in hands-on fun and projects while instilling a sense of responsibility and stewardship of natural resources. Partnering with the forest for these events were the Bitely Better Conservation Club, Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club, MDNR, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nichols Lake Association, Pheasants Forever, the Wellston Boosters Association, and Conservation Resource Alliance.

Highlighting the diverse accomplishments of the fisheries and riparian program on the Manistee National Forest would not be complete without mention of the collaborative work to clear navigation hazards (fallen trees) on the Pere Marquette and Pine Rivers by the river users (liveries, river guides, and conservation groups).

Story submitted by Rich Corner, Hiawatha's West Unit Hydrologist

The Co. Rd. 497 Bridge over the Sturgeon River was constructed in 1917 by the Joliet Bridge and Iron Company of Joliet, Ill. (Photo 1). It was a steel pony-truss style bridge, 94 feet long and 20 feet wide and carried one-way traffic. The bridge was closed in 1991 due to structural inadequacy and vehicle traffic was re-routed over a longer detour. Because the bridge was constructed to the standards of the time, it was somewhat narrower (bank to bank) than is now considered desirable and was causing bank erosion both upstream and downstream of the bridge (Photos 2 and 3). In 1997 the Nahma Township Board stated that they believed reconstruction of the bridge was important to the economic development of the Village of Nahma.

In spite of the economic and environmental incentives to replace the bridge, its replacement was not straight forward. The bridge had intrinsic historic, cultural, and scenic qualities and was located within a Wild and Scenic River Corridor. By virtue of its age and length (it was one of the longest pony truss bridges of its time) the bridge was considered to be historically significant. Additionally, locals were very fond of the structure for its aesthetic values.

The Delta County Road Commission, Delta County Conservation District, Hannahville Indian Community, and U.S. Forest Service (with input from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USFWS) worked cooperatively to replace the structure while mitigating as many of the concerns as possible. Before removing the old structure, the U.S. Forest Service arranged for important architectural aspects of the original bridge to be preserved by a professional archival photographer. The bridge was replaced by a structure with longer span which, it is hoped, will lessen the bank erosion problems in the area. The new bridge, also a pony truss structure with "weathered steel" trusses, was specifically chosen to maintain the scenic qualities and context of the original bridge (Photo 4). Finally, the original structure was not discarded but rather has been used to enhance the scenic quality of the new Sweetgrass Golf Course, owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community. The 'Old Nahma Highway' bridge is now a highlight of the golf course where it provides access to the only true "island green" in the Upper Peninsula.

High school students from across the nation converged on Fort Harrison to participate in forestry events as part of the career development events portion of the national FFA convention.

Judi Perez, Forest Planner, was on the committee that planned the event, and Chris Thornton and Ron Ellis were among the many Indiana foresters who helped out. The event was held on Thursday October 23, and rain and cold had been forecast, just as had happened the last couple of years after the national convention was moved from Louisville to Indianapolis. This year, however, there was no rain, and the helpers who were in the woods were sheltered from the wind and didn't experience much cold.

Chris said, "After a definitely brisk morning, the weather warmed up, and it turned out to be a great day." The interviewers were definitely more exposed to the wind.

For the morning, the students divided into two groups. First, one half of the students spent 10 minutes being interviewed by a forestry professional about the management practices they would recommend on a piece of land which had stated objectives. The other half of the students competed as teams (four students per state) in forestry field activities, such as traversing and estimating tree volume. The two groups of students traded tasks for the last half of the morning.

After lunch, the students divided into four groups with only one student from a state in each group. The four groups rotated between four stations. One station required tree identification, one required equipment identification, another was TSI management decisions to reach a stated goal, and the last one was identification of tree species from wood samples.

The students were the cream of this year's crop of FFA students interested in forestry. There were teams from 37 states, approximately 145 students. The ones at the event competed earlier with others in their own chapter and then with other chapters across their state to become state champions. And there they were at Fort Harrison, competing for the national championship. They were definitely serious about the competition.

Ron and Chris were glad they had helped with the event and agreed the high school students had to work harder than they did. Ron said, "I'd have hated to have to compete in some of those events," and Chris agreed that the events were definitely challenging. Both said they had a very good day. This was Ron's third year at the event. Chris was a newcomer and said, "It was a great day. I'll be glad to do it again."

The White Mountain National Forest Heritage Resources Program conducted a Passport in Time (PIT) project October 6-10, 2008, with volunteers from Ohio, Vermont, and local communities adjacent to the forest in New Hampshire.

Volunteers contributed their time to clean and restore historic cemeteries on the Pemigewasset and Saco Ranger Districts. The cemeteries date from the 19th century. Some are associated with abandoned farming communities that are now part of the national forest, while others are valued features of local communities who struggle to maintain them.

Guidelines for the preservation and conservation of graveyards from the New Hampshire Old Graveyard Association were followed to ensure proper techniques and materials were used in cleaning and resetting fallen gravestones.

Recording and continued maintenance helps to preserve the cemeteries and their value to local communities, historians, geneaologists, and art historians, while providing an opportunity for PIT volunteers to participate in heritage resources on the forest.

In addition to their work on the cemeteries, volunteers learned about the Forest Service and the White Mountain National Forest. The opportunity to learn about early New Hampshire history and archaeology and to study gravestones dating from the 1600s was included in a day trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and a tour of Strawbery Banke museum conducted by the museum's archaeologist, Sheila Charles.

Since 2006, the "Remember Me As You Pass By" historic cemetery PIT projects have been hosted in alternate years on the WMNF and GMNF, where it was initiated by Dave Lacy, Forest Archaeologist on the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest.

Story submitted by Dottie Alderton, Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District.

Marcella and Fred Tryan, residents of Rapid River, first saw Lyman Lake around 1950 when Fred's sister and her husband took them for a sailboat ride on Lyman Lake. Marcella said after that she longed to return. In the meantime, their family grew from just the two of them to the addition of two sons (Fred and Dennis). When the boys were a little older, they again enjoyed camping and fishing at Lyman. In 1966, a third son was born to the family (John) and, when John was about 3 years old, the Tryan's began summer camping at Lyman Lake in earnest - and have been doing so ever since.

The Tryan's recall that, back in the early 1960's, the road to Lyman Lake was close to the shoreline and that you could camp wherever you wanted since there were no campsites established at that time. They have watched it develop over the years to the dispersed campgrounds it is today - and, they feel, it has never lost its appeal for a desirable primitive camping get-away spot.

Besides their frequent summer camping tradition at Lyman, every summer the Tryan's have a Family Reunion there as well. Their oldest son, Fred Jr., and his wife Brenda, with their 3 daughters (Sandra, Monica and Adrian) come from Minnesota; their son, Dennis, and his wife Karen, with their 2 sons (Kyle and Jake) come from Escanaba; and youngest son, John, and his wife, Tracy with their child (Jessie) come from Ford River to enjoy this welcomed interlude with their families at Lyman Lake. For 2008, Marcella conveys that: "This year it was exceptionally perfect for 11 days. The weather was great and the blueberries were plentiful. In the early evening we would drive to a local gas and grocery store for ice cream and treats, spending the rest of the evening by the campfire."

The Tryan's have stayed at many different campgrounds, but they say, none can compare with Lyman Lake. Next year, in 2009, the Tryan's will be celebrating their 60 years of marriage - no doubt, at Lyman! They eagerly spread the word to their many friends and relatives about this "wonderful" lake and look forward to many more years of enjoying the beauty of the Hiawatha and, in particular, the lake they have grown so fond of.

The Fire Prevention specialist from the Clearwater National Forest conducted a week-long day camp entitled "Fires, Forests, & Fun" for elementary aged children last July at the Kamiah Elementary School in Kamiah, Idaho.

Fun was the main objective of the camp. Children participated in many games but also conducted many outdoor science experiments where they learned about fire ecology and effects, archeology, stream ecology, air quality, and 'Leave No Trace' camping. Students also spent a day hiking the Lewis and Clark trail where they learned basic forest ecology and how to identify native plants and trees.

With more time spent taking and preparing for tests, schools have less time during the school year for guest speakers and field trips. This was a fun way to teach a comprehensive natural resource education course to students without taking time away from teachers. In addition, the camp was able to get 20 kids outside for a week.

Even in rural areas such as Kamiah, there has been a significant decrease in the involvement of elementary aged children in outdoor recreation. Research has shown that as kids get more disconnected from the natural world, the rates of depression, diabetes, learning problems, and attention deficit increase.

This week-long camp demonstrates the Forest Service's ongoing commitment to encouraging young people to reconnect with their natural environment where they can re-energize their physical and emotional well-being.

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.

"We work hard to improve the environment every day, so it's natural that we'd want to lessen our environmental impact through Cow Power," said Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. "As we looked at ways to reduce the impact of our energy usage, enrolling in CVPS Cow Power had a great impact; we are supporting a working landscape, helping to improve water quality and removing methane from the atmosphere."

Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE-CV) President Bob Young praised the Forest Service, which will pay approximately $2,100 more for electricity per year due to its enrollment. The funds, paid through a 4-cent premium on 25 percent of the Forest Service's electrical usage, will go to farm-producers who supply renewable energy, other renewable products, or incentives to help more farms get into the energy business.

"The Forest Service's enrollment makes a bold statement," Young said. "We hear a tremendous amount about green energy, sustainability and the environment, but the Forest Service and other Cow Power enrollees are backing up their talk with concrete action and funding that actually helps expand renewable energy development in Vermont."

The impact of enrollment is clear. Based on the Forest Service's energy usage, CVPS Cow Power™ will provide substantial benefits. By capturing methane on Vermont farms and producing enough electricity for the Forest Service's enrollment, the air emissions impact will be equivalent to removing 30 vehicles from the roads for a year. Put another way, it would take a 114-acre pine forest to capture and store carbon dioxide for a year to have the same environmental impact.

"The environmental effects from our enrollment are dramatic, but equally important, we want to set an example for our employees and the general public," said Mitchell.

The Forest Service joins 4,000 other CVPS customers in the program, which is expected to add its fifth farm producer later this month.

The Cow Power process is simple: manure and other agricultural waste are held in a sealed concrete tank at the same temperature as a cow's stomach, 101 degrees. Bacteria digest the volatile components, creating methane and killing pathogens and weed seeds. The methane, which is roughly 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, fuels an engine/generator.

CVPS customers can choose to receive all, half, or a quarter of their electrical energy through Cow Power, and pay a premium of 4 cents per kilowatt hour. It goes to participating farm-producers, to purchase renewable energy credits when enough farm energy isn't available, or to the CVPS Renewable Development Fund. The fund provides grants to farm owners to develop on-farm generation. Farm-producers are also paid 95 percent of the market price for all of the energy sold to CVPS. For more information, visit www.cvps.com/cowpower.

CVPS Cow Power™ has been repeatedly honored since its creation in 2004. The program won the Vermont Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 2005-2006, and the Finalist's Commendation in the 2007 Edison Electric Institute's annual Edison Award competition, named for Thomas Edison. In January 2009, "Power Magazine" named CVPS Cow Power™ one of five "Top Plants" worldwide.

Camp Rabideau operated as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp from 1935-1942, under President Roosevelt's New Deal program. Camp Rabideau is now a National Historic Landmark, representing the best preserved CCC camp in the nation.

Today, Camp Rabideau is again rising to meet a modern day challenge, similar in scope to the original purpose for which the CCC was created; providing work and education to young adults through conservation-based service learning projects. This new project is called Rabideau Conservation Academy and Learning Center.

The 2008 pilot Conservation Academy and Learning Center endeavor was funded though grants from the Initiative and Blandin Foundations, along with partnerships with Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the Minnesota Workforce Center through Workforce Investment Act funding.

The first youth group to overnight at Camp Rabideau since the 1930's were 33 youth and 8 adults conducting a week-long Ojibwe language immersion program while learning traditional cultural practices. Each day was filled with language classes, Indian art, fishing, canoeing, water safety, and traditional Indian cooking. The experience was such a success that the camp leaders plan to use it as a model for the future. Dan Evans, the Camp Rabideau Coordinator, noted that Bois Forte was the location of Minnesota's first CCC Indian Development project of that era.

Later in the summer for six weeks, more than a dozen youth workers accomplished a variety of maintenance projects at the CCC camp. They scraped and painted the buildings, stained the fishing pier, excavated an old CCC building foundation, and performed simple carpentry tasks. Off-site projects included maintenance at Benjamin Lake, assisting with GPS and mapping of Showy Lady Slippers along the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway (including training in the use of GPS and GIS equipment) and trail work at Webster Lake. The youth were delighted to "star" in a Lakeland Public TV news clip about the youth work and Camp Rabideau.

With a successful pilot season behind us, the winter will be filled with making plans for next summer while pursuing partnerships and grants to carry the Conservation Academy and Learning Center forward.

By Mark Fedora

A unique partnership agreement between the Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has resulted in the development of a series of five road/stream crossing workshops that have been held in Michigan and Wisconsin since 2006.

"We've reached over 180 individuals from about 80 different agencies and organizations," according to Mark Fedora, who is working under the agreement with the Conservancy's Great Lakes Program. "Although we advertised locally, email spread the word quickly. Our last workshop attracted eight people from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in London, Ontario."

Fedora said the program's success can be attributed to the interest and commitment of its participants.

"We have had a lot of help from our partners, especially the Wisconsin DNR, DOT, UW Extension, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest," Fedora said. We have another five workshops in the works looking out to 2010."

Aquatic habitat fragmentation is one of the threats TNC identified in the Great Lakes Basin. The agreement has allowed the Eastern Region and TNC to use the workshops as one strategy to address this issue.

The first year of the Allegheny National Forest's (ANF) Clarion River Archaeological Study Program and Field School has come to a close. The program was a great success with 15 students from the Clarion University and Slippery Rock University and eight high school students from Elk, Forest, and Jefferson Counties. Many area residents also had an opportunity to visit and tour the excavation site.

The program exposed both high school and college students to archaeology through the excavation of a 19th century lumbering town. Students uncovered historic and prehistoric items, including metal items, pottery, bottles, a large brass sleigh bell and a large number of chert flakes from Native American tool making.

Several pieces of pottery, probably from a single pot, that dated from about 800 AD were also found on site. Another piece of pottery was identified as likely being part of a clay smoking pipe.

This program brought many partners together, including the ANF, Elk County, Clarion River Municipal Partnership, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Forest County Conservation District, Millstone Township, Stackpole Hall Foundation, and the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association, to provide a great opportunity for local teens, and it really highlights the benefits of public and private partnerships.

There are plans to continue the program in 2009.

By Dan Lentz

Vicious storms in February and March of 2008 caused considerable damage to Shawnee National Forest roads. Trees fell across roads, culverts washed out, hillsides slumped into roadways, severe rutting occurred and road surfaces washed down the hillsides leaving large holes.

The severity of the damage qualified the Forest for Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) funding from the Federal Highway Administration. To date the Forest is scheduled to receive more than $1.5 million to permanently repair damage that occurred. These repairs will be made over the next two years and cover almost 50 miles.

One project the EFRO funding benefited was funding assistance for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do repairs and maintenance of the Big Muddy levee road system located along the Big Muddy River. This levee system protects the community of Grand Tower in Jackson County, Illinois.

After numerous meetings with the community leaders of Grand Tower, coupled with assistance from U.S. Senator Barack Obama's staff and the Corps, the U.S. Forest Service joined in cooperative efforts to assist in the repair and maintenance of this levee system.

The Shawnee National Forest allocated $600,000 of emergency federal (ERFO) funding for repair and maintenance of the Forest system road along the top of the levee. This money will be fully utilized once the Corps completes their portion of the slumping repairs along this levee system. Through the cooperative efforts of all involved, the long-term protection of the community will be greatly improved.

This is just one example of how the Shawnee National Forest is working across boundaries in cooperation with other agencies to meet emergency needs of our citizens.

For more information, contact Dan Lentz, Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger at 618-833-8576.

Invasive species cooperatives are local organizations that integrate all invasive plant management resources across jurisdictional boundaries in order to benefit entire communities. Many are started by local citizens, city, county, state, tribal, and federal leaders to more effectively control invasive species across property ownership boundaries. As in any cooperative, the group gains by sharing the often limited resources available (funds, equipment, time, labor) to control weed populations across several ownerships. This concept started in the western states as "Cooperative Weed Management Areas" or CWMAs.

Why the big deal about invasive species? Besides threatening our natural ecosystems, these non-native invasive species cost us money in higher prices and can be generally problematic and even dangerous. Think about the farmer who has to spend time and money on weeds; you pay more for food. Think about your favorite hunting or hiking area overgrown with buckthorn; you can't walk through it. Think about your yard infested with wild parsnip; you can get blistering burns when you brush up against it.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is now a major partner in four cooperatives, assisting with the effort to control invasive species throughout northern Wisconsin. The four cooperatives deal with weed issues in the following counties:

* Northwoods CWMA (Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron) Contact Matt Bushman, district botanist 715-373-2665

* Upper Chippewa Invasive Species Cooperative (Sawyer, Price, Rusk, Taylor) Contact Ann Hoefferle, zone botanist 715-748-4875

* Wild Rivers CWMA (Florence Co, WI and Dickenson Co, MI) Contact Chantelle Delay, zone botanist 715-528-4464

* Vilas/Oneida CWMA (Vilas and Oneida) Contact Marjy Brzeskiewicz 715-762-2461 or Ted Ritter 715-479-3738

Things that have been accomplished this year:

The Northwoods CWMA won the 2008 Wisconsin Invader Crusader award and was recognized at the National CWMA conference. The NCWMA held five invasive species education and control events as part of the weed free watershed series and had a weekly booth at the Ashland Farmers Market.

Upper Chippewa Invasive Species Co-op held two public participation demonstrations on invasive shrub control. They are currently obtaining signatures on a Memorandum of Understanding to work together in the four counties.

Wild Rivers, the first ever cross-state weed cooperative effort, is flowing right along. They are rapidly organizing by holding bi-monthly meetings and manned an information booth at the Florence County fair.

Vilas/Oneida County CWMA is in the early formation stage and has held five county-wide public meetings to begin building awareness of terrestrial invasive plants. Progress has been made producing maps of known populations of the species of most concern to forest and wetland areas.

You can help. By joining your local CWMA you can provide assistance to your neighbors as well as get help in dealing with invasive species issues in your own backyard. By joining together, we can accomplish much more than any of us can individually. Let's all "pull together"!

Contributed by Marjy Brzeskiewicz, botanist, 715-762-5199

By Dan Lentz

Vicious storms in February and March of 2008 caused considerable damage to Shawnee National Forest roads. Trees fell across roads, culverts washed out, hillsides slumped into roadways, severe rutting occurred and road surfaces washed down the hillsides leaving large holes.

The severity of the damage qualified the Forest for Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) funding from the Federal Highway Administration. To date the Forest is scheduled to receive more than $1.5 million to permanently repair damage that occurred. These repairs will be made over the next two years and cover almost 50 miles.

One project the EFRO funding benefited was funding assistance for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do repairs and maintenance of the Big Muddy levee road system located along the Big Muddy River. This levee system protects the community of Grand Tower in Jackson County, Illinois.

After numerous meetings with the community leaders of Grand Tower, coupled with assistance from U.S. Senator Barack Obama's staff and the Corps, the U.S. Forest Service joined in cooperative efforts to assist in the repair and maintenance of this levee system.

The Shawnee National Forest allocated $600,000 of emergency federal (ERFO) funding for repair and maintenance of the Forest system road along the top of the levee. This money will be fully utilized once the Corps completes their portion of the slumping repairs along this levee system. Through the cooperative efforts of all involved, the long-term protection of the community will be greatly improved.

This is just one example of how the Shawnee National Forest is working across boundaries in cooperation with other agencies to meet emergency needs of our citizens.

I began researching careers while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during my enlistment with the US Marine Corps. My military occupational specialty at that time was Auditing, Finance, and Accounting. I was tired of the grey desk, grey walls, grey office, and windows which were high enough that no one could actually see out of them. It was then that I determined I needed a change.

I decided on a career as a Forester with the Forest Service while in Okinawa and made that my goal. I pursued a degree in Forestry from the University of Florida - a small place you might not have heard of. I graduated with honors in May 2002.

My first Forest Service position was in 2003 where I worked as a research technician on the Sinkin' Experimental Forest in Salem, Missouri.

I was hired by the Hoosier National Forest in March 2005 as a recreation technician and applied to the Career Intern Program in October 2006 with encouragement from the District Ranger and Ecosystem Program Manager. I was accepted into the program and became a Forester Trainee. The Career Intern Program lasted two years and consisted of attending many training sessions and practical application through on-the-job-training.

I have finally completed the required training listed in the Forester Trainee Development Guide and have earned the title and role of Forester as of September 28, 2008. I have many people on the Hoosier to thank and without them I could not have done so well.

Thank You.

Piping plover management has proven to be a success on the Hiawatha National Forest (HNF). In 2008 nesting pairs of Great Lakes piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) fledged 14 young. Part of that success can be attributed to work performed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Michigan employees on the forest. The partnership was officially created in 2008 in response to a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant that provided funding for two TNC employees to conduct piping plover monitoring, nest protection and public outreach on the Hiawatha. Working with HNF employees, the individuals monitored suitable piping plover habitat, starting in May, along the Lake Michigan shoreline on both the east and west zones of the forest.

Once the adult birds arrived and established nests, protective fencing was installed to keep predators from disturbing or destroying the sites, but allowing free access to the plover adults. As the nesting season progressed, the TNC employees continued to monitor the nests until the eggs hatched and young began to fly. The work involved hundreds of hours, often on the weekends and holidays, times when forest visitors were likely to be using the same beaches occupied by piping plovers. During these times it was extremely important for TNC employees and HNF personnel to actively monitor the birds and educate the public about piping plover conservation, including the need to respect the fenced areas and keep pets leashed and controlled.

According to Kirk Piehler, Wildlife Program Manager on the HNF, "The partnership was an important component of our piping plover program in 2008. Considering the agreement extends until 2012, it provides a great opportunity for the HNF to continue to partner with TNC, supporting not only piping plover but a variety of other animals and plants on the forest."

While the funding for one TNC employee ended in 2008, the other is funded through the 2009 piping plover nesting season. Afterwards, the agreement will provide opportunities for the HNF and the TNC to share resources, an arrangement that might result in inventory and monitoring for other species of animals, as well as plants on the forest.

An ice cold lemonade while sitting on the porch is the height of many people's summer ambitions. However, this "perfect" summer day was not to be for Eric Sandeno and the fifteen people who supported the repair of the Axom Branch trail in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness.

Some people would think that thirteen days work on a trail in the middle of summer would be hard work. They are wrong. It is unbelievably physically demanding, grueling and downright miserable to be working in that kind of heat and humidity. Especially since the Wilderness where they were working, is entirely machine free. That's right, nothing with moving parts was allowed on this unique Indiana Wilderness. Mules were used to haul dirt and rocks to repair stream banks that were suffering from erosion. During this time Sandeno said they logged over thirteen hundred man hours.

Sandeno said, "Most of the time the average person doesn't even notice that work has been done on the trail, and that is how it should be." The hardworking people of the Hoosier weren't out there to make a pretty, easy going trail. They were there to make sure it was passable, and non-destructive to Mother Nature, nothing more, nothing less. Nevertheless, this particular trail had taken too much damage, in several places, to be repaired by nature alone. In one stream, which was eroding the nearby trail, there were at least fifty enormous rocks easily two feet in diameter that were rolled, by hand, to the site, and set in place. These rocks acted as a barrier preventing the stream from further damaging itself. In other places water bars or drainage had to be built to make sure the stream continued in the right direction and caused as little damage to itself as possible.

While moving large rocks may be easy for some people, there is no way to effectively move large amounts of gravel with your bare hands, so the mules Ruth, Jack, Rose, Spade, Belle, Paul, Jim, Dodge, Fox and the horse Vaquero lent a hoof. These nine mules and their horse companion had the hapless job of moving large amounts of smaller rocks up and down the trail to wherever crushed stone was needed.

The phenomenal work by both man and beast led to valuable benefits for the Axom Branch. This work improved general water quality of the downstream municipal watershed by preventing the flow of sediment into the streams. Two miles of trail was given years back on its life, as preventative measures such as water bars and drainages, which keep the streams from literally tearing themselves apart, were put in place.

NOTE: Luke Taft is a volunteer High School student interested in Journalism.

(Contributed by Sue Reinecke, Chequamegon-Nicolet NF)

Turn of the century logging and log drives wreaked havoc on most of the rivers in the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF. This activity on many rivers left them wide, shallow and lacking in large wood and deep pools. One of the rivers most severely impacted is the South Fork Flambeau River (SFFR). The SFFR starts at the outlet of Round Lake in Price County and flows in a southwesterly direction until it meets the North Fork Flambeau River. Inventories of the river found long stretches of wide shallow sand flats, shallow rapids areas, and very few pools.

The Forest wanted to restore some of that habitat by narrowing and deepening the channel and adding large wood back into the system and developed a proposal for habitat restoration work on several thousand feet of the river. The SFFR is considered a warmwater river so it has a diverse biological community that includes some very cool aquatic critters! The usual suspects can be found like walleye, smallmouth bass, musky, suckers, and lake sturgeon but one of the most unique ones found is the freshwater mussel (That's MUSSEL, not MUSCLE used to run)! Mussels, like clams, are organisms that have two shells and a "tongue-shaped" foot used to pull it along the bottom of rivers and lakes. It breathes through gills and relies on the river to bring it tiny microscopic plants and animals, which it filters out of the water. Mussels may look a lot like clams but differ in one very important aspect! Mussels must have a host species, like a fish, to complete their life cycle. Mussels are also an important food source for a variety of wildlife including birds, raccoons, otters and turtles.

The area of the river where the work was done supports a diverse and abundant assemblage of mussels. The highest densities were found in the coarse gravel/sand substrate that was not packed too tightly so that the mussels could easily burrow down without sinking. Densities were not as high in the "rapids" areas because the substrate was larger and more densely packed making it harder for a shell to burrow down. Unless you look closely when walking along a river you might not even notice mussels as they bury themselves into the substrate and leave just a small portion of the shell poking out for feeding.

The technique used to do the habitat restoration on the SFFR utilizes heavy equipment. An excavator digs within the existing channel than uses the excavated material to build new banks which results in a narrower/deeper channel. Mussels live within that excavated material.

Unlike fish, mussels cannot move far very fast! Although there were no threatened or endangered mussels found in the stretches of river where the work was done, the Forest wanted to try relocating some of them away from where heavy equipment would be operating. That's where the South Fork Flambeau River Watershed Association (SFFRWA) came to the rescue. The SFFRWA is an organization of interested citizens whose mission is "To protect, enhance, and restore the SFFR for its ecological, recreational, aesthetic and cultural values for future generations". The group was very excited to see the restoration work being done in the watershed and volunteered their services for the project.

Over the last two summers the SFFRWA spent 2.5 days kneeling in the river digging up mussels and moving them to suitable areas directly upstream and downstream of the project areas. Over 6000 mussels, comprised of mostly of 6 species, were relocated safely out of the way of the heavy equipment.

Amazingly enough, even with all the excavation that occurred, if you walk through these areas today you will see many living mussels enjoying their new restored habitat. And thanks to the efforts of the SFFRWA a seed bank of mussels has been maintained so that mussel densities within the habitat areas will be restored to former glory.

About freshwater mussels

No other country in the world equals the United States in freshwater mussel variety. While all of Europe supports only 12 species, nearly 300 kinds live here, mostly within the vast watershed of the Mississippi River.

Freshwater mussels have played a long and varied role in people's lives. Native Americans used them for food, tools, and jewelry. From about 1890 until the invention of plastics around 1950, mussel shells supported this country's button industry. More recently, the world's cultured pearl industry relies on implant beads made from the superior shells of North American mussels. In states where mussel collecting is legal, harvesting provides jobs and income to residents along rivers.

Mussels have other values more difficult to measure. In the rivers and lakes where they live, their filtering ability makes them natural water purifiers. They play an important role in the aquatic food chain as a food source for wildlife including muskrats and otters.

They also can tell us something about the health of the environment on which we both depend. Mussels respond to changes in water quality. Gradual mussel die-offs or sudden mussel kills are reliable indicators of water pollution problems and other environmental health concerns. Stable, diverse mussel populations generally indicate clean water and a healthy aquatic environment.

Sam Smith is a High School Student in Bedford, Indiana area and worked on the 2008 Youth Conservation Corps. During the summer Sam worked as a trail crew member clearing trails which fostered an interest in the Forest Service. When he met with his counselor, when school resumed, he indicated he'd enjoyed his summer, but thought he'd like to know more about the forestry profession. Sam had enjoyed working in recreation - but thought forestry might be more interesting. The counselor called and asked about Sam spending a day job shadowing a forester in the field.

The school only allows a half day off for students to do job shadowing, and since that doesn't allow enough time to get a student out to the woods and provide much experience, Sam volunteered to come on September 19th, which was a scheduled half day of school so he could spend the entire day on the Forest. Forester Teena Ligman escorted Sam to Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest and while waiting to meet Todd they looked at this old growth forest and discussed forest succession and forest health issues.

I met Sam and Teena and then took him on a tour of the Hoosier's areas of active timber management and introduced him to the tools and roles of a Professional Forester. Our first stop was to look at a reforestation project at Otter Creek. Once there we discussed the history of the Hoosier, it's management plan and goals, and tree planting.

The next stop yielded more knowledge as we went to one of the Hoosier's forest stewardship areas at McKensie Ridge. I discussed what a stewardship project was and the goals that we had for it. This was one of my favorite stops on this tour as I was able to show Sam the tools of the trade: GPS receivers, clinometer, compass, Relaskop, 10 and 20 BAF prisms, increment borer, and diameter tape. I ran him through a brief tree marking session; the why's and how's of tree selection and tree identification.

Our last stop was the Krausch Timber Sale. We met the contractors as they were leaving and Sam was able to see the large equipment that was used to harvest the pine. Next, we drove up to the landing and took a walk around the area to see the different types of regeneration methods practiced and to talk about sale area management, Best Management Practices (BMP's), resource issues, the roles of resource specialists, and sales administration. I assured Sam that goals and methods were in good standing with the Forest Service mission.

At this time I returned Sam to the Bedford office and did a recap of everything we did and to find out from him if I had covered everything that he wanted to know. After spending the day job shadowing two foresters, Sam indicated that maybe he wasn't necessarily interested in the job of Forester after all, but rather more interested in what he did while on the YCC crew. I also spoke with him about the many different types of specializations of Foresters: special uses, reforestation, pre-sale, recreation, and others. Sam said that he had a nice day and learned a lot and that it was better than being in school. I may not have convinced him of being a Forester, but gave him a better understanding of the profession. It's also better to confirm your interest before you get to college, so it was a worthwhile day, and whether Sam ends up on the recreation or forestry staff, his experience with the Hoosier definitely has him wanting to work with the Forest Service.

Nature can destroy nearly anything man can build in the space of a single violent coastal storm. It's all the more remarkable, then, that a prehistoric Native American shell ring has survived the constant battering of waves and wind on the South Carolina shore for thousands of years.

The 4,000-year-old Sewee Shell Ring, on the eastern edge of the Francis Marion National Forest, has endured not only the ravages of nature throughout that time, but also the well-intentioned, if rigorous, attentions of a curious public.

The ring forms a closed circle constructed predominantly of oyster shells. It measures approximately 225 feet across and reaches about 10 feet at its highest point. It is the northernmost of a number of coastal shell middens existing along the Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

Historians and archaeologists continue to debate the original function of the ring. One early idea was that it may have served as a fish trap. Other theories suggest that the ring may have delineated a year-round village site for local hunter-gatherers.

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Archaeologist Robert Morgan is among the experts who have speculated on the use of the Sewee ring.

"Most archaeologists today believe that it functioned both as a seasonal home for the local prehistoric peoples, and as a location for ritual feasting as part of their religious ceremonies," he said.

In 2004, hurricane activity destroyed the boardwalk that provided access to the ring, but did little damage to the historic site otherwise. As luck would have it, the destruction would ultimately provide forest archaeologists and engineers with a chance to parlay a bad situation into an opportunity to improve the site from both a protective and an interpretive perspective.

Forest Service archaeologists, engineers and landscape architects worked to come up with a solution to replace the boardwalk without damaging the surrounding area. The previous boardwalk had been built directly on the shell ring itself, and Morgan was anxious to find a way to avoid disturbing the site further. The alternative, though, was to build into the marsh, off the ancient site itself but into the soft, deep mud beneath the water.

That solution would have alleviated concerns for the integrity of the shell ring, but in the meanwhile forest biologists were raising eyebrows at the seemingly inevitable damage to the marsh that would accompany construction of a new 380-foot-long boardwalk. Any tractor or other heavy equipment needed for building would certainly leave its muddy imprint on the wetlands and its wildlife for months to come if, indeed, the machine was not mired in the mud at the outset.

Vern Shumway, a landscape architect for the forest, had already designed the new boardwalk and began brainstorming methods to protect the area from the potential damage of the tractor. He looked at devising a plankway to support the machinery over the archaeological site if the work was undertaken from the forest side; he also examined ways to support the machinery in the soft soils if work was performed from the marsh, but was not happy with any of the considered alternatives.

Bruce Liles, a facility engineer, joined Shumway in the search for a method to build a boardwalk with minimal effects to the archaeology and marsh ecology. The structure needed to be capable of supporting the weight of multiple visitors clustered around interpretive signs at any given time. Liles spent long hours researching techniques for building in wet areas, eventually discovering a company that offered an anchor designed to corkscrew through the soft layers of mud, ultimately securing itself solidly in the sand below.

That seemed a promising solution to the support concerns, and the helical anchor had the added benefit of displacing relatively little material as it planted itself.

"The company had put out some information on using this method in environmentally sensitive areas," said Liles, "so I thought, wow, this could be perfect for us. Our biggest concern, of course, was stability, but the concept looked really promising so we thought it was well worth it to try it out."

Chance Anchors, the company supplying the product, also proposed an unexpected remedy to the problem of tractor access, a method that would leave not a single tractor track in the sensitive landscape. As the segments of the structure were built, a small tractor fitted with an auger would creep forward section by section and, from each newly built platform segment, auger in the next anchors to build the subsequent section.

In March 2008, the new boardwalk was complete. The project included enhancement of the trail to the site, the addition of interpretive signs and the construction of a parking area to accommodate individual vehicles and buses.

Recently the forest celebrated the success of the Sewee Shell Ring Trail restoration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and interpretive walk to the site. Approximately 35 visitors turned out to gather on the sturdy new boardwalk; about half of them at any given moment were taking in the ancient shell ring and its 4,000-year history while the other half were peering over the opposite edge to take in the natural beauty of the marsh and tidal creek.

"It's great when projects turn out so well," said Liles. "Environmentally and with regards to protecting the history here, I don't think we could have come up with a better solution."

Harrisburg, IL, October 7, 2008 - Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, is announcing that five individuals have been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award (Award), a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

The highest award, the Gold Award, was presented to Bob Wagner of Metropolis, Illinois. Mr. Wagner, the president of the Shawnee Backcountry Horseman, received his Award for volunteering 570 hours. His volunteer service is a combination of hours worked with the USDA - Forest Service, the Leave No Trace program, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other agencies.

Pamela Brandon, Diana Emmons and Joel Heidemann each received a Silver Award. Ms. Brandon, from Murphysboro, Illinois, is a community member who has been very involved in the developed recreation program as a volunteer. She received a Silver Award for 417 hours of volunteer service. Diana Emmons, a Southern Illinois University intern, worked with the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District this fall and received her Award for 315 hours of volunteer service. Joel Heidemann, an area teacher, commits much of his free time to volunteer programs and received a Silver Award for 262 hours of volunteer work.

The Bronze Award was presented to Brett Billings, a Southern Illinois University student, for his 191 volunteer hours working with the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District in the spring of 2008.

The Forest has a growing volunteer program, with more than 300 volunteers performing community service in 2008. Trail maintenance and construction, trash removal, adopt-a­trail/trailhead, conservation programs, the wilderness inventory analysis program and media productions are some of the activities of Forest volunteers.

The Shawnee National Forest reaches out to local volunteers such as the Sierra Club and equestrian groups; to regional volunteers such as Fieldcrest Middle School, Galesburg Baptist Church and the University of Illinois; and to national volunteers such as AmeriCorps. These volunteers work together for the benefit of the community.

"In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps, and called on every American to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals and families who have answered that call," said Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas. "America's volunteers work to make our communities stronger and safer. As a certifying organization for the Award program, the Shawnee National Forest is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives."

Established in 2003, the Award is presented on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of the thousands of certifying organizations participating in the Award program, the Shawnee National Forest confers the Award to recognize the achievements of outstanding volunteers.

The President's Volunteer Service Award, issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, is for volunteer service that every American, any age or walk of life, can work to achieve. The Council is comprised of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organization and community volunteering. To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating certifying organizations, such as the Shawnee National Forest, to verify the service and to present the Award.

"These recipients of the President's Volunteer Service Award are role models for all Americans," said Kelly Pearson, Forest volunteer coordinator. "Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others, and I encourage everyone to contribute to our community by volunteering. Volunteers bring us closer together as families, as communities and as a nation, through their commitment."

For information about volunteering for the Shawnee National Forest call Kelly Pearson or Jennifer Sublett at (618) 687-1731.

For more information about how to qualify for the President's Volunteer Service Award and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.

Nine Passport in Time volunteers, two National Trust for Historic Preservation employees, a large group of Conservative Anabaptist Service Program volunteers, three Mountain Heritage enterprise team preservation specialists and forst district personnel Oct-26-November 1, 2008 restored Sinking Creek's Fire Tower Lookout residence and garage.

Sinking Creek Lookout Tower is located just north of the Irish Wilderness between a National Scenic Riverway, the Current River, and the Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River.

The last week of October is also the peak time to see Missouri's fall color.

Sinking Creek Lookout Tower complex was one of many Forest Service administrative sites built 1933-1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Volunteers and historic preservation experts will restore the Sinking Creek Fire Tower Lookout residence and garage to their original appearance.

During restoration activities, numerous historic artifacts were discovered including children's toys stashed in walls and two letters from CCC laborers written on the bottoms of the kitchen cabinet drawers.

Sinking Creek will be available next year to the public for overnight stays as a recreation cabin rental.

St. Louis Post Dispatch has a slide show about the restoration: http://www.stltoday.com/mds/news/html/1923

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer joined several Region 10 and Tongass National Forest leadership and staff members at tribal ceremonies to rebury 10,000 year-old Alaskan Native remains on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska September 26 and 27.

Secretary Schafer was a keynote speaker for a ceremonial dinner and tribal dance to honor Shukaá Kaa, or "Man Ahead of Us," whose remains were found during paleontological investigations in a cave site on NFS lands in 1996. The repatriation and reburial of the remains were coordinated with the tribal governments by Tongass NF archaeologist Terry Fifield and Tribal Relations Program Manager John Autrey.

Their working relationship with the tribal governments and leaders of the Prince of Wales tribes was a key factor in the remains being identified through DNA testing, and their being repatriated in 2007 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.

"I am deeply honored to be with you this evening," Schafer commented in his remarks. "This is a historic and deeply meaningful ceremony and I am privileged to represent the Forest Service tonight."

Schafer went on to say that the deep and abiding respect that the agency has for the tribal governments and the culture of the recognized tribes in southeast Alaska is a special relationship that will lead to many more positive steps in planning and managing both cultural and heritage sites and the natural resources across the Tongass.

"The Forest Service and the Tongass National Forest have acted as the stewards for much of Southeast Alaska for more than 100 years," Schafer continued. "But tonight we pay tribute to you, the traditional stewards of these lands and your most ancient ancestor we honor tonight, Shukaá Kaa. As advanced as our country and society have become, it has taken a man more than 10,000 years old to bring true understanding and partnership to the cultural and resource management here on the Tongass National Forest."

Schafer concluded his remarks with 'thank you' ('gunalsch-cheessh' in Tlingit), repeated three times as a sign of deep and heartfelt thanks. His remarks and his attendance at the ceremony brought a standing ovation from about 400 tribal and community members who attended the ceremonial dinner.

Schafer was also invited to participate in the tribal dances later that evening, donning ceremonial and traditional garb and dancing with one of the native dance groups. The Secretary also attended the ceremonial Tribal Breakfast in Craig the following morning.

As part of his attendance at a Native Reburial Ceremony on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer covered some significant ground on the Tongass National Forest's Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts.

Schafer began his tour of the Tongass on September 26, flying over to northern Prince of Wales to tour and review the extensive karst structures and cave systems that are key to the rich vegetation and vibrant rainforest ecosystem of the northern part of the island. Led by Tongass Geologist Jim Baichtal and Recreation Planner Tory Houser, Schafer accompanied Region 10 Regional Forester Denny Bschor, Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole, and Deputy Supervisor Becky Nourse through the 600-plus foot El Capitan cave system that is open to guided tours.

Schafer was accompanied on the trip by USDA Tribal Relations Program Director Dawn Charging; USDA Special Assistant Yenie Tran from Undersecretary Mark Rey's office; and Fred Clark, the Forest Service's WO Tribal Relations Program Manager.

The Secretary experienced the challenges of travel and work on the Tongass, taking float planes from Ketchikan to El Capitan, and then flying along the west coast of Prince of Wales to Craig. He toured the city of Craig's centralized wood fired boiler facility, which provides heat and hot water for three municipal buildings: the local elementary and middle schools, and the community swimming pool and recreation facility.

Schafer also toured Viking Lumber in Klawock, the source of the woody biomass that powers the boiler in Craig. Owner and operator Kirk Dahlstrom explained the mill's operations, and talked timber with the Secretary during the 90-minute stop.

On Saturday, following the tribal breakfast, Schafer met with Master Totem Carver Jonathan Rowan, Jr., and toured the carving shed and clanhouse in Klawock. He followed this stop with a Forest Service work boat trip to one of the remote cabin locations on a small island 10 miles west of the Craig Ranger District offices. Overall the Tongass has about 150 cabins, mostly in remote locations, including Wilderness and National Monument areas.

Schafer has made numerous visits to locations all across Alaska, but this was his first visit to southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest.

What is large wood and why is it so important to streams? Large wood refers to trees that have fallen into rivers and form log jams by collecting other wood that floats downstream. Fish love it as they use it for hiding cover. And reptiles such as snakes and turtles use it for basking while riparian birds such as herons use it for perches.

Unfortunately, past development practices such as wholesale logging, wood removal ("river cleaning"), and dam construction reduced levels of instream large wood throughout the midwestern United States.

So why have trees been seen "flying" across the skyline near the Au Sable River on the Huron National Forest in northern Michigan? The Au Sable is one of Michigan's premier recreational assets, flowing through the heart of the Huron National Forest.

Since 1998, a unique approach has been used to restore large wood to this river, that being placement of whole trees with a heavy lift helicopter. Approximately 2,250 trees have been placed in 23 miles of the Au Sable, including an additional 130 in 2008. In addition, 175 trees have been placed on two large eroding "high banks" to complement vegetative plantings for stabilization. Average cost per tree placed is $425.

This large-scale habitat restoration has been accomplished through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the Forest Service, and Huron Pines Resource Conservation and Development Council (Huron Pines). The majority of funds have come from the MDNR's Habitat Improvement Account program.

The USFS has also been a significant contributor of funding, including a 2005 $100,000 Centennial of Service grant. Huron Pines primary contribution has been "in-kind" services, both for project planning and actual implementation.

The majority of placed trees have remained in place (approximately 80 percent). And it is important to note that those trees that have moved still remain in the river system. They have "weathered" and blend in well with the natural landscape. This large-scale tree placement is felt to be very important for aquatic ecosystem restoration in northern Michigan.

Even though site-specific fish population response to the treatments is inconclusive, there is a plethora of information regarding the importance of large wood in rivers. In fact, at a conference on large wood in world rivers in 2002, one aquatic scientist stated that the importance of wood for biological communities in rivers should focus on the restoration of all range of processes, not just simple wood - fish relationships.

So flying trees will continue to be an annual sight in the Au Sable River for a number of years to come.

Earlier this year, 3.1 miles of new trail were added to the Dead Horse Run ATV and snowmobile trail. The work took place in an area on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF near Clam Lake and the Stockfarm Campground. The new section of trail replaces one that was poorly constructed and located, creating problems with erosion, high water, and possible damage to watersheds. There was a need to minimize such impacts while at the same time providing a safe riding experience for Forest visitors on this very popular trail. Construction of the new section of trail includes new gravel, surfacing, and culverts, and was designed to resemble a mini high standard road.

This project is part of a comprehensive look at the entire Dead Horse Run ATV and Snowmobile Trail. Additionally, new trails will be added in 3 to 4 mile increments over the next 4 years, for a total of approximately 15 miles of new trail. The goals associated with these new trails also align their location within proper management areas as defined by the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest Plan, and reduce negative impacts to soil and water, while keeping in mind the desire to provide safe and enjoyable riding experiences for all who use the system.

Funding for the new trail was provided by a grant from the Wisconsin DNR ATV registration fund. Additional funding will also be provided by the DNR, along with cooperating with Sawyer County in future trail work.

(Contributed by Jim Mineau, Hydrologist, 715-762-5182)

In its second year, American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) population monitoring has been going smoothly on the Wayne National Forest. The monitoring project is intended to assess the impacts that wild harvesting and deer herbivory have on the Forest's ginseng populations and their viability.

Data will be used on Forest, and later provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for use in determining what regulations should be applied to the wild harvesting of the plant. This year we also had a new partner join the project, the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Discipline.

There are a total of 10 long-term monitoring sites on the Forest. Data collected within the plots includes the number of plants, the number of leaves (prongs) on the plants, maximum leaf width, reproductive status and plant height. The sites are visited once in the spring and again in the fall to observe population changes over the growing season.

The U.S. Geological Survey joined our effort with their Conservation Genetics mapping project. They collected genetic samples of all plants within monitoring plots to determine the genetic variability of our ginseng populations. The samples were collected by impregnating plant material on a paper card that preserves the genetic material to be analyzed later.

Funding for the USFS project comes from the recovered costs associated with sales of root permits on the Forest. These two projects combined will help to shed new light on the viability of the species under collection and herbivory pressures. Additional plot establishment and monitoring are planned for future years.

Reconstruction has begun on the new Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center in Marcell, Minnesota. On September 30, a special groundbreaking ceremony was held at the future site of this "one-stop-shop" for recreation, travel information and environmental education, to celebrate the project and to recognize the partners involved that have helped turn an idea into a reality.

The Discovery Center will be a transformation of the existing Chippewa NF Marcell District office, located on Highway 38, along the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. Buildings at the site will be remodeled, added on to, or enhanced to meet the needs of the new Center, and the grounds will be re-engineered to include an amphitheater, a self-guided tour of the historic 1940's ranger station located on site, a handicap-accessible fishing pier on Ranier Lake, and a driveway big enough to accommodate school busses.

The Discovery Center is intended to be the focal point for the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway, an attraction for tourists, students and other visitors that will have a positive impact on the local economy and will serve as a center for learning.

According to written information provided by project organizers, "after visiting the Discovery Center, individuals will have an increased appreciation for the lands, waters, and history" of the region. More specifically, the Center will offer natural resources educational programs (such as logging and forestry tours, wood products workshops, local wildlife programs or hiking trips), interactive interpretive displays on natural and cultural history of the region, information kiosks, a sales outlet and visitor amenities such as rest rooms and pay phones.

It will also allow for a continued presence of the U.S. Forest Service at the site, which had previously been decommissioned.

"This has really been a community project," said Joe Alexander, Deer River district ranger, at the groundbreaking. "We appreciate all the ongoing efforts and work that has been put into this...we're really happy with the results."

The USFS partnered with the Minnesota Highway 38 Leadership Board, Northern Itasca Joint Powers Board and Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Association to plan the Discovery Center and track down funding for the project. Phase I, which was officially kicked off Tuesday, is costing about $360,000, said Mike Martin, USFS public services team leader.

This includes reconstruction of the more modern, highway-facing station building, into what will be the main Discovery Center building. Grants are already being sought for Phase II, Martin said, which will include the construction of the amphitheater and fishing pier. If all goes as planned, Phase I should be complete by mid-May.

Funding for the project has been provided by federal grants, the Blandin Foundation, the Northern Itasca Joint Powers Board, Itasca County, USFS in-kind contributions, the Bigfork Lions Club, North Itasca Electric Cooperative, the Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Association and the Minnesota DNR.

The Challenge

During the week of September 8, 2008, employees of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas had their eyes on Hurricane Ike as it took aim at the Gulf Coast. Many preparations were being made as the hurricane gathered steam in the Caribbean.

One major concern of district wildlife biologists was the impact on the forest's primary endangered species, the Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). Currently, the RCW population across the southeastern United States is around 3 percent of what it once was. One of the most limiting factors for the RCW is the lack of suitable or usable cavities. The RCW is the only woodpecker that excavates its cavity in live pine trees.

From past experiences with hurricanes, biologists knew there likely would be damage to cavity trees due to their vulnerability and their propensity for breaking off at the cavity.

The Solution

Materials and supplies were replenished in preparation for damage assessment once Ike had passed. One of the most integral parts in RCW recovery efforts is the implementation of the artificial cavity (inserts) technique. The inserts are installed to supplement areas where a lack of suitable cavities is an issue. In this case, the cause of the lack of suitable cavities was wind-thrown and wind-snapped cavity trees from Hurricane Ike.

Only days after the hurricane, specialist crews from National Forests in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Florida assisted in the initial damage assessment and installation of the much-needed cavity inserts. In areas the RCW call home (clusters), there was extensive damage to cavity trees.

Winds caused damage to hundreds of cavity trees across the National Forests. And in two weeks, crews installed more than 300 inserts across the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests.

The Results

Within days, many of the inserts were being utilized by the RCW. A big 'thank you' goes to all the folks for the miles of traveling and many hours of hard work. Although many tasks are yet to be accomplished on the National Forests in Texas, we are one step closer to recovering from Hurricane Ike.

Due to the extra efforts of those involved, an event that could have been a tremendous set back in the population growth of this endangered species turned out to be another success story.

October 1, 2008 was a call for celebration as Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) member tribes and the USDA Forest Service commemorated the tenth-year anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding tribal-USDA Forest Service relations on National Forest lands within the territories ceded in treaties 1836, 1837, 1842.

Based on the principle of government-to-government relationsips, the MOU established a consensus-based consultation process between the tribes and the Forest Service. It recognized tribal treaty rights within the ceded territories, tribal sovereignty and tribal capacity for self-regulation. It also implements tribally regulated gathering on national forests.

Each year the tribes and the Forest Service meet to discuss MOU implementation. This year's agenda included a celebration highlighting accomplishments over the past ten years complete with a formal gift exchange.

Some of the ten-year highlights are as follows:

Under the MOU consultation was particularly successful regarding National Forest planning and decision making. During the recent Forest Plan revisions, tribal concerns and issues were carefully considered, discussed and appropriately resolved.

The tribes and the Forest Service collaborated on research and education projects including research on American marten and paper birch. Joint education projects included workshops in which tribal elders instructed kids on the traditional gathering and utilization of plant materials.

The MOU provides guidance for improved communication and increased coordination between GLIFWC wardens and Forest Service law enforcement officers including joint training and synchronization of radio frequencies. This has led to more efficient and effective law enforcement.

The MOU includes a provision that allows the tribes free use of National Forest campgrounds in the exercise of treaty rights. To camp under this provision, tribal members obtain tribally-issued permits.

Cultural training has been extremely important for maintaining and strengthening the intended purposes of the MOU. Forest Service employees have been afforded opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe culture and treaty rights. Likewise the tribes have been afforded opportunities to learn about the Forest Service.

The implementation of the MOU has been very successful because of the shared dedication of the tribes and the Forest Service. As the MOU enters its second decade, the parties look forward to following the same successful path.

By Yvonne Schmidt, LaCroix Ranger District

During the summer of 2008, the Superior National Forest hosted a six-person Youth Conservation Corps crew of three women and three men from the local community. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a national program that was established in 1971 to introduce teens to land management opportunities in national parks, national forests, and federal wildlife refuges.

This summer employment program permits young men and women to enjoy working, earning, and learning by doing projects that help to conserve our nation's natural resources. Participants are 15 to 18 years of age who typically work for eight weeks during the summer.

Under the leadership of Ben Feiro, timber technician on the LaCroix Ranger District, this year's YCC crew was challenged with a variety of projects on the LaCroix and Laurentian Ranger Districts. Crew members maintained wildlife openings by cutting brush around young oak trees; built water bars, cleaned ditches, and brushed along trails; cleaned campsites, painted outhouses, and stained fishing decks in campgrounds; and improved timber stands by releasing white pine and birch trees.

YCC crew members said that improving trails was a favorite project because hikers passing by could see the effort that goes into maintaining recreational trails - something the hikers probably hadn't thought about before. The crew also enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing the trails are in better condition because of their work.

A highlight of the YCC program is the environmental education aspect. In addition to work projects, the YCC crew helped to band migratory birds; tried orienteering; and toured the International Wolf Center in Ely, Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Soudan Underground Mine, and Boise Paper Mill in International Falls.

The crew finished their season by presenting a home safety PowerPoint lesson to district employees. In addition to learning about public speaking and computer skills, they researched information for the topic.

The perspectives of the young men and women on the crew changed about the world and about places right in their back yard that they had never visited before, like the falls and gorge on the Vermilion River. They learned a little of what it takes to manage the public lands around them, and perhaps this experience sparked a lifelong or career interest in some aspect of conservation or natural resource management.

For some of the YCC, it was their first work experience or opportunity to learn job skills and team building. For the Forest Service staff it was a rewarding opportunity to mentor local youth.

Overall, the summer 2008 YCC program was a successful and fun summer work experience that challenged and changed the perspectives of the crew and the Forest staff that worked with them. We look forward to hosting future crews.

The visitor information and interpretive area at the new Kawishiwi Ranger District office complex on the Superior National Forest is a wonderful example of partnership with numerous people and businesses teaming up to produce an outstanding result.

One example of pulling together contributions from various sources is an aquatics-themed exhibit that features a beaver dam with a "real" trickling stream backed by a mural depicting a scene along a northeastern Minnesota river complimented by an interpretive map. Sticks for the recreated beaver dam were donated by a lake shore owner who discovered the beginnings of an attempted beaver lodge in her boat house.

Students from the Vermilion Community College Natural Resource Class used the "beaver sticks" to help rebuild the dam in the interpretive area. The adjoining mural by local artist Scott Brennan captures the character of our water-rich forest. Adjacent to the mural is a large, interpretive wall map created by the Vermilion Community College GIS instructor and several students.

The mural and interpretive map were made possible through a generous donation in memory of a young man who loved coming to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. District biology technician Fred Ossman combined his carpentry and pond-building skills with his knowledge of water plants and animals to develop a model aquatic habitat which provides a transition between the mural and the beaver dam.

Carpentry work for the display units was provided through a unique federal program. The Forest Service has an agreement with the Federal Prison Bureau's Prison Camp in Duluth, Minnesota, which is set up to provide productive, skill-building work for inmates who earn their way into the program. The inmates, under the direction of their Forest Service crew supervisor, completed our projects using innovative, well thought-out plans. District staff explained what they needed and the inmates used their skills to figure out the best way to accomplish the task.

Several old and new photos in the video viewing area reveal the contrasts and similarities of camping in the past as compared to today. In addition to historic Forest Service photos pulled from the archives at Ironworld, Chisholm, Minnesota, District staff also worked with the Ely Winton Historical Society to locate and reproduce many of these pictures from their collection.

Throughout the displays and tying the various topic areas together is the graphic design work of Josh Hammari, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD). Hammari took on this project while completing his Master of Fine Arts degree.

The District has plans for additional collaborative interpretation. In continuation of a long-standing partnership, a Grey Wolf exhibit is being developed with assistance from our neighbors from across the road at the International Wolf Center. The District's exhibit will provide a wonderful sample of the interpretation available at the Center.

A black bear (who lost its life near the District Office when hit by a car) will be placed climbing up a post in the interpretive area reaching for a food pack as they like to do in the Wilderness. The bear was donated by the North American Bear Center located just west of Ely.

One year after the Ham Lake fire burned across land ownerships along the Superior National Forest's Gunflint Trail and over the border into Canada, the local community banded together and worked with the Forest Service to organize a tree planting event to speed recovery from the fire. They called it the Gunflint Green Up.

On May 3, 2008, as part of the Gunflint Green Up, more than 450 volunteers came together to make a difference for future generations and the land by planting over 50,000 trees on areas of federal land along the Gunflint Trail that were impacted by the fire. A mixture of red and white pine was planted, along with some white spruce and jack pine, on patches of national forest land outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

At the end of the day, there was a celebratory dinner and dance at the Gunflint Lodge. Positive energy from the day was in the air as the volunteers sang a song in harmony about planting the trees.

Volunteers from all walks of life participated in the Green Up. A Girl Scout troop, families, college students, and senior citizens cared for a piece of land that holds a special meaning to them. For some volunteers from Minneapolis or elsewhere, this is a treasured vacation spot. Other volunteers at the event live on the Gunflint Trail and tree planting was a way to recover from the loss of their or their neighbor's homes that accompanied the Ham Lake fire.

Along with the tree planting, several local businesses and organizations offered a full weekend of activities including informational presentations, music, a dance, interpretive nature walks led by Forest Service biologists, demonstrations by the Gunflint Volunteer Fire Department, and a half marathon.

The concept for the public Green Up event began with the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee approaching the Superior National Forest about the possibility for public participation in reforestation efforts along the Gunflint Trail. The Gunflint Green Up was made a reality through the shared vision and extensive cooperation between partners, including the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee, the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau, and the Gunflint Ranger District, Superior National Forest.

Travis Jones and Myra Theimer and other staff on the Gunflint District worked several months with Nancy Seaton, head of the Gunflint Green Up Committee, along with several devoted committee members to plan this event. Sponsors included a wide range of organizations such as the Quetico-Superior Foundation, Iron Range Resources, Hedstrom Lumber Company, and the Minnesota Sesquicentennial organization.

These organizations contributed key resources such as seedlings, equipment, and funds. The entire Gunflint Trail community poured their heart and soul into making the event especially meaningful. Following the Green Up event, the Forest Service planted and seeded an additional 720 acres in the Ham Lake fire area.

The Ham Lake fire began on May 5, 2007, and, by May 20 had burned 75,851 acres on the Gunflint Ranger District, Superior National Forest and in Canada. By creating young green tree stands, the planting will help reduce future fire risk. The planting will also help restore the historic abundance of these species to the forests of northeastern Minnesota.

Plans are being discussed to make the Green Up an annual event. Many volunteers will remember the experience they had from the 2008 Green Up and return to care for the trees they planted. This will leave a tradition and a legacy for future generations and the land. See www.gunflintgreenup.com for more details.

By Yvonne Schmidt, LaCroix Ranger District.

With its rocky shoreline and hundreds of islands, Lake Vermilion stretches 35 miles between Cook and Tower, Minnesota, within the Superior National Forest. There are resorts, homes, and cabins around the lake, with lots of small bays and large, open expanses of water for visitors to boat and fish, spend a day or stay a week.

As the numbers of resort guests and property owners using the lake have increased, so too has the demand for day use facilities with safe dockage for large watercraft. The public campsites on the lake do not have docks and are not intended for day use.

Over the past fifteen years, The Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion, Inc., has worked in partnership with the LaCroix Ranger District to install boat docks and picnic facilities at six scenic locations on national forest system land adjacent to the Lake. There are two sites on the east end of the lake, two centrally located, and two on the west end. The sites are for day use only, not for camping or houseboat mooring.

Volunteers from the Sportsmen's Club maintain the sites during the boating season and repair or replace docks as needed.

Ray Harris, a charter member of the club, said "It's been a real good partnership. The sites are well-distributed around the lake, and they get a lot of use by residents and resort guests for picnic lunches."

Each shore lunch site has a dock, picnic table, steel firegrate, and wilderness-style latrine. The public can safely dock their boats to enjoy a picnic, fish, swim and relax without occupying a campsite. The dock for the newest shore lunch site was funded through the generosity of a family in memory of a man who loved the lake and had a summer home there. They want others to be able to enjoy the beauty of Lake Vermilion for many years to come.

Two other day use sites are also memorials.

For more information about the Lake Vermilion Shore Lunch Sites including GPS coordinates, go to the following websites: Superior National Forest at www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior (look under "Recreational Opportunities") or The Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion at www.sportsmensclublakevermilion.org.

A 1977 Conservation Foundation Report stated, "The national forests of the east, in the main, were assembled from land that nobody wanted". However many years prior to the formation of the Hoosier National Forest, John Ploch wanted some of that land. He purchased 80 acres located in Tobin Township of Perry County, Indiana from George Porter in 1851.

One hundred fifty-seven years later two of his descendants, Shawn Brand and Bettina Schneider, while tracing their family genealogy, discovered an ancestor had owned land now a part of the Hoosier National Forest. They sent requests and a 1961 newspaper story to the Forest Service Washington Office and the Hoosier National Forest for any documents showing a land transfer from John Ploch to the US Forest Service in the German Ridge Recreation Area in Perry County. The newspaper story showed a photograph of the old Ploch home on German Ridge and history of the John Ploch families' immigration from Darmstadt, Germany in 1847 to Indiana byway of New York and Cincinnati. A search through the Forests' lands status atlas did not show a land purchase from John Ploch. However, a further search of the land acquisition microfiche records revealed the abstracts of title in the 1800's showing the Ploch and Plock names.

Meanwhile, members of the Forests' Lands team were discussing this request and the Ploch name. Their interests had been sparked and ideas were flowing. The topographic map covering the area showed Plock Knob one-half mile north of the German Ridge Recreation Area. Typically names of many features on the map come from prior landowners. A look at an 1880 county survey plat of that section revealed John Ploch to be a landowner in that section. Adjacent to his property is an old church and German Ridge Cemetery. A discussion with Forest Archeologist, Angier Krieger, produced several pages of headstone readings from the cemetery. Many of them were in German. Eight headstones had the Ploch name on them including John Ploch.

This information including copies of 1937 aerial photographs of German Ridge were sent to Shawn and Bettina. "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you…It will be a thrill for so many. John and Katrine had 15 children…you can imagine the huge number of descendents." was the reply Shawn and Bettina emailed to the Forest after receiving the information.

As a result of knowing the Forests' records and how the information might be helpful, the Hoosier National Forest was able to provide a unique public service.

Thanks go to the Forests' Lands team: Ross Taylor, Kelly Weigel, Ted Senior, Jackie Contreras and Bob Stone.

Completion of the Kawishiwi Ranger District office on the Superior National Forest involved many partnerships and creative solutions. The entire office complex incorporates "green principles" that emphasize recycling, reuse, and energy conservation.

Plans for the new complex began approximately 40 years ago when the land was purchased. Some of the initial planning and survey work for the site were used in the final construction of the facilities that were completed in 2007.

The complex includes offices, a multipurpose shop (for field-going operations such as recreation/ wilderness, fire, and timber), a Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit issuing station, interpretive displays, a garage, warehouse, employee housing, and offices for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The new office and multipurpose shop building are about 30,000 square feet. This is comparable to the total operations that were previously scattered at four separate facilities in the Ely area (leased office space, permit station at the Wolf Center, old warehouse facilities, and U.S. Customs).

Having district operations consolidated into one site facilitates better communication between employees and eliminates the need for duplicate phone and computer systems at separate locations. Approximately 65 full-time employees and an additional 40-50 seasonal employees or volunteers work out of these facilities.

The new site is more visible and accessible to the public and the visitor center at the front of the office provides information about things to see and do on the Superior National Forest and the Ely area.

Total costs for design and construction of site and facilities was approximately $8 million. Investment in the new facility demonstrates the strong commitment of the Forest Service to the Ely community. Many local and regional businesses were involved in construction of the facilities.

The design, construction and operation of the building are very environmentally friendly. We expect to receive a "silver" rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Efficient water use, recycled/recyclable materials, efficient electricity use, and storm water management are among the elements integrated into the site design. "Green" messages are posted through out the building pointing out demonstrations and techniques.

With completion of this updated facility, the Forest Service looks forward to continuing to build on past partnerships in the Ely community that span nearly 100 years.

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 Sept. 13. The celebration was held at the foot of Thundering Falls at the Appalachian Trail crossing of River Road in Killington, Vermont.

"This is an excellent addition to the diverse opportunities we offer on the Forest, it provides something for people of all abilities," said Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell.

"The Thundering Falls relocation is a great improvement in many ways. It gets rid of the dusty roadwalk on Thundering Brook Road, adds great views of the Ottauquechee Valley and the falls, protects the resource, and takes advantage of flat terrain to make a stretch of the AT accessible to people who use wheelchairs. It took a long time and a lot of work, but the result is worth it," said GMC Executive Director Ben Rose.

The new path descends from Thundering Brook Road through northern hardwood forest to the base of Thundering Falls and then passes through the open Ottauquechee River floodplain across 900 feet of boardwalk built by the Green Mountain Club.

The Green Mountain Club Long Trail Patrol, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service and Green Mountain National Forest have worked on this project since the mid 1980s when they acquired a property easement across the Ottauquechee flood plain. Major funding was secured by the ATC and the Green Mountain Club and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps began work in 2005.

Timeline:

2004: GMC and ATC finalized flagline of relocation with US Forest Service following completion of Environmental Assessment.

2005: Vermont Youth Conservation Corps crews built the hiking trail downhill from Thundering Brook Road to the bench above the floodplain where the universal accessible spur trail to the falls begins.

2006: VYCC crews built the accessible spur trail and switchback from the floodplain to the bench; GMC project crew and volunteer crew built bridge across the Ottauquechee River and began building the nearly 900-foot long boardwalk in accordance with plans developed by USFS engineer John Kamb with interpretation and direction by GMC's Matt Wels. GMC crews worked into November.

2007: VYCC crews built the hiking trail relocation from River Road north to the Appalachian Trail and helped with surfacing the accessible path between the boardwalk and Thundering Falls; GMC project crew, Long Trail Patrol and volunteer crew completed the boardwalk between the river and the switchback and moved the gravel for surfacing the pathway; the AT relocation was opened to hikers in September.

2008: GMC project crew and volunteer crew built the ramp from River Road to the bridge, finished the railings, and viewing platform.

The year 2008 has been a celebration of 100 years of service for the Chippewa National Forest. After establishment as the first national forest located east of the Mississippi River in 1908, one hundred years later we have the opportunity to look back on how we came to be here as well as where we're headed. We've told the Chippewa story this year at a wide range of events and through the Success Story reporting system, and we're pleased to end the centennial year with our 100th Success Story.

This year, the Success Story Reporting System (SSRS) has been a dynamic public affairs tool that has helped the Chippewa National Forest let people know about all the great things we do. Since 2002, when the system began and the Chippewa marked 100 years since it was a Forest Reserve, we have shared events that changed our lives such as the "GIS Teams Support to the World Trade Center Efforts" and "Hurricane Katrina Support".

We looked to the future in "It's All Green on the Chippewa" and linked them together as we wrote about "The Centennial Quilt" and "Partners Make Camp Rabideau National Historic Landmark Shine". We have shared many program accomplishments with the "Firefighters for Yellow Rails", "Chippewa Wetland Restoration Partnership" and "Chippewa National Forest Receives Hands on the Land Grant". The SSRS has given us the opportunity to share fun accomplishments of our employees in the "Local Indian Council Honors Chippewa Employee" story and proud moments such as "Chippewa Partnership Received 2007 Wings Across America".

In any given year, the Chippewa National Forest receives about 1.2 million visitors across our roughly million acre land base. Lands within the boundary are a quilt work of different ownerships, sometimes changing after each 40 acres. We chose to represent the attributes of our national forest in an employee-created centennial quilt that was exhibited at this year's MN State Fair during the State's 150th birthday. Approximately 1.5 million people visit the MN State Fair each year, nearly equal to a year's worth of Chippewa National Forest visitors. There were approximately 5,000 entries on display at the fair's Creative Activities competition, and the CNF Centennial Quilt was awarded Second Prize in the "Group Made Quilt" category. We also took Grand Championship honors at the Beltrami County Fair.

Our centennial year also included hosting a visit by former President Theodore Roosevelt, a highly visible moment interacting with the Tribal Council of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Senator Coleman, the Chippewa Centennial Triathalon organized by a Chippewa retiree and Regional Honor Award winner, and new adventures initiated by new employees such as hosting the North American Fishing TV Show.

We're pleased to have shared so many positive stories about celebrating our past, special events, and current projects. Our emphasis now shifts to stories of our next 100 years: embracing our diversity, finding our role in climate change and energy issues, making our work relevant to urban and younger people, and sustaining a great national forest. Everyday brings us a new story to tell. We hope you will continue to read all about it!

Mid-day, September 23, the weather was perfect when eight employees from a neighboring USDA office joined employees from the Forest Supervisor's office in Harrisburg, Illinois, for a tailgate luncheon. A tailgate committee, with support from the Shawnee Employees Association (SEA), planned and hosted the event.

The SEA provided the hot dogs and brats that their officers grilled. Forest employees brought home-made side dishes, relishes, and desserts and a variety of chips. The tailgate committee provided tea, door prizes, sport's trivia cards and organization.

To keep with the tailgate theme, everyone was encouraged to wear their favorite sports team shirt or hat and bring a lawn chair. All available trucks in the parking lot were backed into a circle with tailgates down ready to use for serving tea or covered with throws for extra seating.

The tailgate idea provided an informal setting for meeting and greeting fellow civil servants with whom we seldom have an opportunity to interact. Commonalities were discovered, both on a personal and professional level. Even though the Forest's guests were from sister agencies, the tailgate luncheon provided an opportunity for discussions to connect them to lands managed by the Forest Service.

It could be a dream come true - deep within Chippewa National Forest in the rolling hills and clear lakes of the Deer River Ranger District is the perfect getaway for a large group. If you were a civic or church-sponsored organization or a cultural or rehabilitation center, a place like this could be just what someone is looking for…..with a little work. Okay, maybe a lot of work. Mike Martin, Public Services Team Leader, Bruce Giersdorf, Fire Management Officer, and Dave Roerick Implementation Team Leader came up with a win-win-win idea.

Fuel Reduction Project + Biomass Operation = Kids in Back in the Woods!!!

The Ruby Lake Camp, located approximately 25 north of Grand Rapids, MN on beautiful Ruby Lake, was built in the later 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corp for use as an organizational camp. There are 25 structures associated with the camp, with 22 eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places.

For over fifty years it was operated as a seasonal residential camp by the Minneapolis Girl Scout Council, and other permit holders. Too many growing facility safety issues and numerous hazard trees resulted in an unused camp by 2007. With a goal of soliciting a new tenant to operate what (is) could be a prime site, the Deer River District has taken on the work to make the camp safe, and useful in multiple ways.

With no funding to restore the camp, district staff became creative by integrating disciplines to get results. By removing known hazard trees through a small-sale timber contact within Ruby Lake Camp, the site becomes a demonstration site for fuel reduction in Itasca County with a relatively new Community Wildfire Protection Plan. In planning for tree removal, the team has also planned to maintain a buffer strip along Ruby Lake and enlarge the ball field so the camp remains scenic and more useful for a new tenant.

Removing the slash generated through the implementation of the timber sale turned into utilizing slash and downed fuel for local biomass operations. The biomass generated though the project was used by Minnesota Power to create electrical power for the local community.

The team is currently soliciting a new tenant for the operation and maintenance of the Ruby Lake Camp. With new ideas for getting more kids in the woods, reconnecting urban people with natural resources, and sustaining rural communities with local opportunities the possibilities are exciting. It probably will be someone's dream come true.

"Naturally Meandering" doesn't initially strike one as something that can be easily engineered, but that may be because you haven't spoken with a fisheries technician lately.

Caring for the land, and water, where animals make their home is something wildlife biologists on the Green Mountain National Forest take seriously.

In a recent Rutland Herald Article, "Reading the Batten Kill," author Shelly Stiles, from the Bennington County Conservation District, interviewed Forest fisheries technician Scott Wixsom.

"Scott is a reader of rivers. The objects he's having placed in the Kill, and where, help me understand a little bit better what he sees and what this famous river of ours really wants to be," Stiles wrote.

Wixsom is designing a habitat restoration project for the Batten Kill where cover and shelter structures are installed to provide better fish habitat. The Batten Kill project has been in the works for two years and will mostly protect brook and brown trout.

Stiles continued: "Valley bottom rivers like the main stem Batten Kill are naturally meandering things. Wild valley bottom rivers meander wildly, accessing as much of the floodplain as they have water for. But even in the Batten Kill, where the stream channel has been lowered by people activities, there's a meandering quality to the water itself.

"Pools are good for trout - their waters are colder, their depths provide cover, so Scott likes pools. His restoration design promotes them, by enhancing the bouncing back and forth of the thalweg from one side of the river to the other."

Forest crews are installing boulders, root wads and whole trees to hasten the pace and increase the depth of the water where trout can spawn and thrive.

"Then there's the fine tuning of the design. Scott and his National Forest colleagues Chris Alexopoulis, Justin Myer, and Keith Sargent protect the banks from too much erosion by installing root wads and tying in whole trees along the edges…they will protect the banks and provide cover and shelter for fish," said Stiles.

The project will benefit anglers, who have better fishing holes and healthier fish populations, and the erosion controls help with flood abatement.

The project is sponsored by the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance. In addition to the Green Mountain National Forest, other participants this year include Southwestern Vermont Trout Unlimited, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.

This is another example of the Eastern Region's Courageous Conservation goal of "Protecting Ecosystems Across Boundaries."

Lights, Camera, Action…. Those were words heard on the Chippewa National Forest in August when the Fox Sports television show "North American Fishing" came to film on the Chippewa during our centennial year.

While working with the Urban Connections program at the MN State Fish Art Day, Todd Tisler, Chippewa Fish and Wildlife Program Manager, met Steve Pennaz host of the North American Fishing Show. Todd casually invited him to film on the Chippewa and when a cancellation occurred, the crew packed up and headed north!

At an undisclosed "area lake" on the Chippewa National Forest, several scenes were filmed for a program to be aired around April 2009. It's not about advertising a lake, the producers said, Its about encouraging the outdoor experience. The catch of the day was largemouth bass, along with a few northern pike and some panfish. Filming the fishing, said wildlife biologist Todd Tisler, was a lot more work than you'd think. Scenes needed several angles, underwater shots, background information, and of course, everyone showing their sponsor or Forest logo at the right time. The show's host, Steve Pennaz thought it was enjoyable and productive to film at a national forest. Reflecting on the experience, he noted that if all trips went as well as this one he would have the best job on the planet. Todd did a great job on camera, especially when it came to talking about the National Forest and its many facilities/features.

The show features a favorite species each week with nationally-known experts Steve Pennaz, Karen Savik, Buzz Ramsey and George Liddle. It also focuses on how to and where to fish, but likes to emphasize story-telling about an area so the show appeals to a wider audience.

The film crew also gathered information on Chippewa National Forest facts and during filming discussed the Chippewa's extensive water resources, concern for invasive species, and abundant recreation opportunities. There were plenty of out-takes that have made for great story telling around the office and everyone is anxious to see the final product.

The North American Fishing Show is picked up by several networks (Versus, Fox Sports, Lonestar Cable and Comcast) and airs nationally. They will also use information from the show in the North American Fisherman magazine which is distributed to 450,000 people. The Chippewa National Forest episode should be shown around April 2009 and you should, as they say in the fishing world, be sure to Catch It!

The Ottawa National Forest and the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) partnered together to host a successful environmental education event for 5th grade students at the CJ Sullivan Elementary School.

The students from the L'Anse, MI, school studied and surveyed plots in a Jack pine dominated ecosystem of the Ottawa National Forest. They will compare their results with plots they have taken at their hardwood school forest. The students were able to identify the trees and under-story plants within their plots. They also explored the invertebrate and vertebrate life in a Jack pine forest.

Forest Service employees from several disciplines were present to share different perspectives on the puzzle pieces that make up the Jack pine ecosystem including forestry, wildlife, and fire. The students also had a surprise visit from the Forest Supervisor, Susan Spear, who discussed the Forest Service and management of the forest.

It was an excellent opportunity for the students to experience place-based learning. Forest Service personnel enjoyed seeing more "kids in the woods" and hope to have other similar opportunities in the future.

On September 10, 2008, Shawnee National Forest Employer of Choice Champions, Marlene B. Rivero and Mary McCorvie, participated in the first of several Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C) outreach efforts at local community colleges. Entitled the 'SIU College to Careers Showcase Series' (Showcase) the College of Agriculture was the first college to participate. The series features professors from the various academic colleges and departments at SIU-C, such as the College of Agriculture, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, and the College of Business and Administration, to present information about careers in their respective fields. The goal of the Showcase is to attract students from surrounding local community colleges and enroll them at SIU-C.

The Shawnee National Forest set up an informational booth for outreach concerning post-baccalaureate career opportunities within the Forest Service. The Employer of Choice goal is to distribute information to students about possible Forest Service careers after graduation or even seasonal jobs as undergraduates. The idea is to raise the awareness of the community college students about other occupational choices, and to familiarize them with hiring programs such as the Student Career Employment Program (SCEP) and the Student Training Employment Program (STEP). Participating in the Showcase allowed us to reach those students interested in pursuing a career "working in the great outdoors."

The Shawnee Community College (SCC), the SIU-C College of Agriculture and the Shawnee National Forest worked together to provide information to undergraduate students at the first annual SIU-C College to Showcase on the SCC campus. The group in the attached photo is discussing student undergraduate opportunities at the SIU-C and Forest Service career opportunities with representatives and students from SCC.

The first interagency approach to mobilizing Mingo Job Corps students to learn to fight fires has been a success.

Six Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center student employees and one staff member returned August 6, 2008 from a challenging 14-day wildland fire assignment in Northern California on the Canyon Complex.

The six students joined personnel from Mark Twain National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Dept. of Conservation and the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources to form a 20-person Type 2 "Initial Attack Hand Crew."

According to Mark Twain National Forest liaison Russell Harris, this was the first interagency approach to mobilization for the Mingo Center.

"We are very pleased with the results of this new joint venture," Harris said. "Our Job Corps student firefighters received exceptional mentoring by experienced fire personnel which culminated in an excellent crew rating. We are optimistic that these Job Corps crew members will be an asset to fire operations on Mark Twain National Forest in the near future."

The crew was one of five initial attack hand crews dispatched summer 2008 by the Missouri-Iowa Coordination Center at Rolla.

Situated on the Plumas National Forest near Quincy, California, the Canyon Complex was a "mega fire" exceeding 37,000 acres. Lighting is attributed to the start of the fires on June 21.

The Canyon Complex was characterized by steep, rocky terrain, numerous historic mining sites, standing dead trees and unburned interior fuels.

A complex is a group of fires in one geographical area. Typically, complex fires are the result of a multitude of dry lighting strikes from a persistent, dry cold front moving through a region.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," said Job Corps student Marcus Sneen. "I couldn't have selected a better group of people from which to learn. They helped me to develop key safety awareness skills."

"I had a very positive experience working with the Job Corps firefighters," said Poplar Bluff Ranger District Timber Sales Administrator Clifford Smith, who served as crew boss trainee for the team.

"I believe this crew provided valuable hands-on training and exposure not easily simulated in the classroom environment."

"I think the experience was beneficial to both the students and the joint personnel from other agencies represented on the crew," said Mingo Fire Management Officer "Buddy" Clinton. "The Mingo students have a lot to offer and I think this joint venture may serve as a great first step in the direction we want to go with our fire program. What better resource do we have than our youth…we want to continue to be a valuable resource to the Mark Twain and our communities in time of need."

Over the last 40 yrs, Job Corps has built its reputation as the nation's largest and most successful residential and educational workforce training program for economically disadvantaged youth ages 16 to 24.

Job Corps serves nearly 65,000 young Americans every year and has trained and educated more than 2 million young people since the first center opened in 1965.

Job Corps is administered by the US Department of Labor.

In July 2008 the Forest Service signed a Challenge Cost Share agreement with the Ruffed Grouse Society to remove Autumn Olive, an invasive plant, from grass and shrubland ecosystems on the Athens Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest (WNF). This agreement facilitated the first agreement between the WNF and the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), forging a new partnership.

The equipment needed for this project is very expensive to purchase, therefore the WNF worked with RGS to use their equipment to remove the autumn olive. Removal of the woody species will provide more open habitat for wildlife to nest and forage in. The Henslow's sparrow, a declining species range-wide, will benefit from this activity. Likewise, more open habitat will benefit other game species such as grouse, bobwhite and turkey. The areas being treated previously provided Henslow's sparrow habitat, according to district Wildlife Biologist Lynda Andrews, but autumn olive establishment has since resulted in the sparrows leaving. By removing the woody invasive species, the Henslow's sparrow will again be able to use these areas for foraging and nesting.

The woody material is being removed with a Cat 297C skid steer with high flow hydraulics to run a mulcher. This machine, provided by RGS, is capable of removing autumn olive shrubs in seconds. These machines are being placed regionally by the RGS to use for habitat improvement. The machine used for this project was brought from Pennsylvania.

By using a mulcher, the bases of the autumn olive are fractured. By splitting the base of the plants instead of flush cutting with a chainsaw, the likelihood of resprouts are reduced. Additionally, the areas of treatment are part of prescribed burns areas, so Forest Botanist, Cheryl Coon, hopes that future burns of the areas will kill any root sprouts that do occur and continue to maintain these areas as early successional habitat.

Local Ruffed Grouse Society member and Forestry Technician, Art Martin worked to find a local operator that teaches heavy machinery classes at nearby Hocking College. "This is a great partnership for the Wayne and our local chapter, to have the RGS bring in regional equipment for habitat improvement in southeast Ohio." The win-win situation benefits the Forest Service by mechanically reducing fuels and changing the Fire Regime Condition Class towards its desired condition, restoring early successional habitat in the Grassland and Forest Mosaic Management areas (according to Forest Plan direction), removing non-native invasive autumn olive, and restoring habitat for wildlife and a Regional Forester Sensitive Species. RGS benefits by promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

This summer Hiawatha National Forest botanical staff, volunteers and partners transplanted 6,912 native wildflower and milkweed plugs in the "old farm field" on Grand Island NRA. All the native plugs were raised at the Forest greenhouse located in Marquette, Michigan and actually got their start from many of the same volunteers who came out to do the four day plantings on the island.

The intent of this project was to get youth and adults involoved with their National Forest by helping restore a degraded site currently infested with a suite of non-native invasive species and in turn create pollinator species habitat especially for Monarch butterflies.

In order to begin this project pre-planning included collecting native seed from the island during late summer of 2007, then raising nearly 7,000 plugs during the winter of 2008 at the Forest greenhouse; contacting Grand Island Association members prior to December of 2007 and staying in contact with them throughout the winter; contacting the many partners needed to make this project successful; and applying for grants needed to fund many facets of the project.

Site prep work began early in June and continued into early July as the first area for restoration selected was the SE corner of the old opening, and comprised approximately.25 acre. Because the site was so infested with weed species it needed two herbicide applications. Youth Conservation Corps members along with Michigan Works youth crew then spent three days removing the invasive species sod cap so native plants could eventually be transplanted.

Prior to the first plantings a Nishnaabe Spiritual Ceremony called a "smudging" was done at the site in order to cleanse it and all those who would participate. While the smoke rose towards the skies that day, local tribal elder Delores LeVeque requested from the spirits soft rain to nourish the new plantings.

On July 17th, the first plantings took place with nearly 100 volunteers from MSU Life of Lake Superior program. Within a few hours after we left the island, a soft rain fell on the thousands of newly-planted plugs. On July 21st the second planting occurred with 44 youth volunteers from Alger Parks and Recreation Day Kamp. Again shortly after we left the island a soft rain fell on the site. The final plantings for this year occurred on July 24th and 31st with volunteers from The Nature Conservancy, Moosewood Nature Center, Grand Island Association and native plant program volunteers from the Forest. Each time within a few hours of planting rain was bestowed to the island.

By the end of the July 31st, 6,912 native wildflower plugs including nearly 1,000 milkweed plants had been transplanted in this once degraded site. It was actually hard to believe that less than four weeks earlier the site had been fully occupied by spotted knapweed, St. Johnswort, orchard and timothy grasses and a myriad of other non-natives such as bladder campion, hawkweed, bindwind, and burdock. A "habitat area for Monarch butterflies" sign was put on the site in order to help island visitors interpret the restoration work being done. A "Go Wild" interpretive panel is already in production and will be placed on the site yet this fall.

Support for this project came primarily from the Washington Office through a native plant grant. These monies were used to purchase the "Go Wild" interpretive sign, to raise all 7,000 plants needed for this year, and to cover costs associated with greenhouse contracts, native seed collection and transportation to the island.

In addition, the Northern Research station of the Forest Service provided funding for materials such as equipment (planting trowels, a water holding tank and a pump)needed to complete this project. Their support also included participating on the site. On July 31st, Mark Twery, project leader at Northern Research Station program for Science, Technology, and Applied Results spent the day with us on the island transplanting native plugs of Evening Primrose and Black-eyed Susan. Mark also participated that day and evening at the final ceremony for MSU Extension's "Life of Lake Superior 2008" youth education program.

Alger Regional Community Foundation also awarded a grant to the project through MSU Extension in order to cover all transportation costs associated with ferry and bus travel on the island for Life of Lake Superior Grand Island experience.

The Grand Island native plant restoration project is an example of how creating engaging science based educational opportunities which promote land stewardship ethics and involving community support will in turn increase awareness and support of our National Forest system lands.

Over the course of the next five years we hope to fully restore native plants this once-degraded site.

Among the call of loons (and kids) at the lake, visitors to the Norway Beach Recreation Area this summer were also welcomed with the strum of acoustic guitar played by musicians Neil Dietrich and Nick Sanchez. The two were a part of the "Celebrating Arts" program this summer on the Chippewa National Forest.

In 2005, the Chippewa hosted the Smithsonian Exhibit "Inspirations from the Forest," a traveling display that explores ways our national forests serve as inspirations to artists. Each year since, the Norway Beach Visitor Center has brought in artists to highlight the natural and cultural resources of the area.

Along with musical programs, the Forest showcased pine needle and birch bark basket-makers, diamond willow carvers, quilters and watercolor artists this summer. Forest quilters put their skills on display with a three-day show that included the Chippewa National Forest Centennial quilt and the National Forest 2005 Centennial Quilt, part of the Smithsonian's "Inspirations" display.

In July, the Marcell Ranger District hosted the "Celebrating Birch" display, teaming up with the North House Folk School to highlight the "lore, art and craft of an ancient tree."

Naturalist programs held throughout the summer also provide inspiration for young artists, and include nature journaling workshops, painting, and traditional crafts of twining and cattail mats. With the Celebrating Birch Display, campers learned to make birchbark beads, canoes, and Scandanavian birch stars at summer programs. The summer arts season ends with a Forest Service booth at the 6th Annual "Goods from the Woods" Up North Marketplace, celebrating northern forests and promoting a vibrant forest-based economy.

The Chippewa National Forest has found a wonderful way to bring visitors closer to the land.

"It's an amazing way to connect with our visitors, share the outstanding talents of our permanent and seasonal staff, and highlight the natural and cultural resources of the area," according to Visitor Center coordinator Mary Nordeen. "We look forward to welcoming new artists and partners each season, and enjoy building this tradition on our Centennial forest!"

The WO's Conservation Education (CE) staff established an urban connection by forming a new Day Camp-Fieldtrips program that reached more than 260 students at the Anacostia National Park Urban Tree-House.

Every Friday from July 11 through August 15, 2008, a field trip was held involving students in very high quality environmental learning workshops that included an interactive boat ride and three other exciting environmental learning experiences. Each of these activities focused on aquatics and watershed information that ignited the interest of youth throughout several areas of Washington, D.C.

The CE staff was responsible for planning, organizing and managing this outreach program. In addition to the development of strong partnership alliances with extraordinary partners, they assisted in making these field trips possible.

The CE staff, along with partners, organized four workshop stations that reached students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The partners include the following; The National Park Service, the Student Conservation Association, Anacostia Watershed Society and D.C. Department of the Environment. All helped to make this field-trip program a success.

They were all very dedicated to working together to complete tasks and assignments, and for ensuring that more than 260 participating students and leaders were continually engaged in meaningful outdoor activities.

The students learned about watersheds, value of trees, environmental monitoring, habitats of birds and fish in the park, ecosystem management, the balance of the habitats, and how to conserve natural resources. This was done through hands-on nature experiences, games, and activities to make sure that learning was fun for students of all ages.

The program would not have operated as smoothly without the coordination of site coordinator Vicki Arthur and Sylvia Whitworth, who oversaw transporting students to the event. In addition, the hands-on assistance of Forest Service interns Kenya Richards and Wy'tosha Thacker proved to be a valuable asset.

The program was a great opportunity to reach diverse groups of students and raise their awareness of outdoor recreation and environmental issues.

Being able to offer environmental education to students that would not normally be exposed to these outdoor activities and programs is a great success. In addition to the forming of a wonderful partnership alliance, there are plans to work together in the future to develop many other environmental education programs to reach numerous urban youth in the Washington, D.C, area.

The Washington Office's Conservation Education (CE) staff recently brought on board a smart and enthusiastic Job Corps student by the name of Michaela D. Hall. Hall started her career with the Forest Service as an administrative assistant to CE Director Dr. Safiya Samman. Hall was chosen from a large pool of applicants for the position.

Hall is originally from Virginia Beach. She is one of the best and brightest of the Job Corps graduates who initially got started at the Potomac Job Corps Center with the ambition to add purpose and direction to her future plans. Her hard work, determination and excellent work ethic are pointing her in the right direction.

Her position in CE provided Hall with excellent training and knowledge that applies to any administrative support position. Her skills range from knowledge of Forest Service systems, correspondence databases, and FS filing protocol. She excels at navigating Fed Traveler, processing travel authorizations, arranging travel plans and completing travel vouchers. Hall also planned and participated in organizing a number of Forest Service outreach projects, activities and events.

The thing Hall values most in her experience with the CE program is her exposure to a vast amount of professional training and work experience which has led her to other opportunities. Due to her success in CE, she has moved to another position in the State and Private Forestry Deputy's office. This office, led by Deputy Chief Jim Hubbard, oversees and assists six staffs, including CE.

The experience that Hall said she received with the FS is like none other. The supervisor and staff have taught her a lot of benefical skills. This experience has had a positive influence on her life, and is one that she will always treasure.

She said she is very glad to have had an opportunity to be part of the CE program and to her enhance skills and aptitude. She has also increased her prospects for her future. Thanks to FS funding, she is presently enrolled in college for the fall semester where she plans to complete her degree and continue to work for the FS in a rewarding career. She is very mobile and looking forward to explore new and different opportunities in various regions within the Forest Service.

By: Mary McCorvie

September 10, 2008

Abraham Lincoln and Stephan Douglas are once again together "in a grove of trees north of town" in Jonesboro 150 years after their historic original meeting. To celebrate and commemorate the sesquicentennial, the citizens of Anna and Jonesboro, Illinois are hosting, along with the Shawnee National Forest, a celebration and commemoration of the Lincoln Douglas 1858 Sesquicentennial.

The people of Anna and Jonesboro have banded together to raise funds toward a lasting legacy of this historic event. The preservation committee commissioned local artist, Tom Allen, to create the new Lincoln and Douglas statues as part of the sesquicentennial celebration. These statues were paid for thanks to the generosity of the citizens of Anna and Jonesboro, $33,000 from Union County, and a $61,000 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission grant. Other improvements at the site include a visitor's plaza made with nineteenth century paving bricks surrounding the new statues, new benches and fencing, and "Looking Lincoln" Heritage coalition interpretative signs.

The 1858 debates catapulted Lincoln into national recognition. Even though he lost his bid to represent the people of Illinois as their senator, his name became recognized across the length and breath of the country for his stand on restricting the expansion on slavery into the new western territories. Jonesboro was the site of the third debate in a series of seven and was held "in a grove of trees north of town." That grove of trees is now the Lincoln Memorial Recreation Area, part of the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. The debate will be re-enacted the weekend of September 12-14, 2008.

After being on the Hoosier National Forest for four years, I am embarrassed to say that I have never attended an interpretative program offered by our seasonal interpreter. On August 9, 2008, Interpreter Becky Denoncour invited me to attend one of her sessions. Becky was the seasonal interpreter at the historical Rickenbaugh House on the Tell City Ranger District and I had heard great things about her programs. So, I packed up my daughter and we headed down to the lake to hear about bats.

The only thing I knew about bats was what I had learned from my mother when I was growing up. The first and most important thing my mother told me was that if you didn't cover up your head at night, you were sure to get a bat stuck in your hair and it would never, ever come out. The second thing she told me was that bats have fangs and if they bite you on the neck then you are going to get rabies and have to receive a lot of very painful shots.

Of course, those rumors where completely false and Becky did an outstanding job of dispelling those old "wives tales." Becky was assisted by Wildlife Biologist, Clark McCreedy, who actually caught a bat and let us all observe it up close. Becky and Clark worked as a team to both educate and entertain us. The comments I heard from the group were all positive and everyone appeared to be impressed with both the program and the employee's knowledge of bats.

During the program Clark put out a sonar device called ANAbat, allowing the participants to hear what bats sound like when they are communicating. He also lead the group on a "bat" hike to several pit toilets so we could see all the wonderful bat guano and to observe how the bats were able to squeeze themselves into tiny crevices to roost.

I left the program in total awe and have a new respect for bats and their ability to maneuver into extremely small crevices. Both Becky and Clark did an awesome job and I know I can speak for everyone when I say that it was an extremely enjoyable experience.

Saturday, June 7th, 25 volunteers gathered at the Chippewa National Forests Shingobee Recreation Area to Celebrate National Trails Day. Volunteers came out to enjoy a beautiful summer day and to participate in a variety of trail maintenance projects on the Shingobee Trail System and the North Country National Scenic Trail. Volunteers from the Itasca Moraine Chapter and the North Star Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA), Boy Scouts of America Troop 25 from Bemidji and U.S. Forest Service employees from the Walker Ranger District joined together to complete approximately seven miles of trail brushing, blazing and signing.

The day began with registration and fellowship enjoying coffee, juice and rolls provided by the Itasca Moraine Chapter of the NCTA. That was followed by a brief welcome from Carolyn Upton, Walker District Ranger. Chippewa's Forestry Technician Jon Hanson provided a review of potential safety hazards. Public Services Team Leader Mitch Bouchonville distributed door prizes to all volunteers present followed by Jerry Trout of the Itasca Moraine chapter of the NCTA who divided the volunteers into work groups, assigned work leaders and work areas, and provided specific instruction on proper trail blazing techniques. The groups then made up lunches to be enjoyed on the trail which were provided by Carter and Flo Hedeen of the Itasca Moraine Chapter of the NCTA. Then it was off to work at the various work areas.

At 3:00 P.M. the volunteers re-convened at Shingobee to join Beth Trout on a guided wildflower hike along the Shingobee Trail System. Over 30 different wildflowers were identified along the trail, including Wild Sarsaparilla, Wood Anemone, Downy Blue & Dog Violets, Early Meadow Pussy Toes, White Pea/Pale Vetching, Wild Columbine, Hoary Puccoon, Beach Plum, June Berry/Service Berry, Yarrow, Yellow Corydalis, Snake Grass, Prickly Gooseberry, Downy Yellow Violet, Cow Parsnip, Bracken, Sensitive, Interrupted, Cinnamon, and Northern Maidenhair Ferns, Small-flowered Crowfoot/ aborted Buttercup, Bellwort, Bird on the Wing/Gaywing/ Fringed Polygala, Wild Lily of the Valley, Wild Oats, Anice Root/Sweet Cicely, Blueberry, Wood/Common Strawberry, Marsh Marigold, Bastard Toadflax, Hoary Alyssum, Smooth Solomon's Seal, Wood Betony/Lousewort, Elder Berry, Blue Bead Lily/Clintonia, Lyre-leaved Rock Cress, and Grove Sandwort.

A special thank you goes out to the Itasca Moraine Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, The American Hiking Society, North Star Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and the Chippewa National Forest for a memorable day celebrating your National Trails!!!

On Tuesday, August 26, 2008, the Supervisor's Office of the Shawnee National Forest was the site for community outreach with Head Start. Early childhood education, conservation and fire safety education came together with the assistance of Shawnee National Forest employees.

Approximately 45 children and staff from the Head Start program of the Harrisburg Wabash Area Development, Inc. came to the Supervisor's Office for a conservation education and fire safety discussion, followed by a visit with Smokey Bear. Everyone was given the opportunity to shake hands and have their picture taken with Smokey. Each child was given their own packet, containing fire prevention materials, to take home and share with siblings. To complete their visit, the group moved outside where a Forest Service fire engine and two fire fighters were waiting. The children were allowed to look at the inside of the fire truck, to turn on the siren and lights and to spray an imaginary fire with the water hose.

The visit was a great success and the children received valuable fire safety and conservation education information, as well as learning that Smokey Bear is soft and not all fire engines are red.

It's hot in southern Illinois during the summer-time. Just plain hot. So where could you better learn about the history of the Shawnee Hills than from paddling a 34-foot Montreal voyager canoe?

The Shawnee National Forest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake, the U.S. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) all joined forces for one day to make some fun in the sun for local youngsters, and to celebrate our cultural heritage and the natural world in their own back yard.

Providing outdoors recreation opportunities across agency boundaries allowed the Shawnee National Forest to provide this experience at Lake Murphysboro State Park. IDNR provided the Montreal canoe; Tim Bischoff of the Corps of Engineers was the canoe's French guide; and the Shawnee National Forest provided the physical structure to the day-long event. Crab Orchard NWR provided a number of the campers, as did other local summer day camps.

About 60 kids from across the southern part of the state had the chance to learn all about the French heritage of southern Illinois. They also learned to identify local trees and fish and make a little music, all in one day of fun as they participated in the Shawnee National Forest's More Kids in the Woods conservation education program.

As children spend more and more time at home in front of computers and televisions, they are missing the great outdoors and are not making the connection between themselves and the natural world. This cooperative effort brought these kids out-of-doors for fun activities to begin to form a connection to the natural landscapes in which they live.

The Shawnee National Forest is proud to have been able to foster this connection.

In June, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) partnered with Wal-Mart, Cradle of Forestry of America and Island Run Sportsmen's Club to host the seventeenth annual Kids Fishing Derby at the Forest's Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The event, which had over 50 children in attendance, is sponsored each year as an avenue to connect citizens to the land.

The children, ranging from one to 16 years of age, were awarded prizes in four age categories. Prizes, donated by Wal-Mart, included items such as rods and reels, tackle boxes, sports chairs and other fishing gear. Cradle of Forestry, concessionaires for Twin Lakes, hosted the event. Island Run Sportsmen's Club has raised and stocked the fish for all 17 derbies. The club's dedication to promoting fishing, especially children's fishing, is commendable.

Joan Yohe, resource assistant with the ANF, has taken the lead for the Forest in planning the derby each year. Yohe started working on the derby when her children were little and now her grandchildren attend the event.

"As employees we have tasks that we must do and then there are the tasks we look forward to doing; for me it's the Kids Fishing Derby," Yohe said. "The derby is a family event that has allowed me to watch families grow. I've watched a child win a fishing pole and return the next year to carry on the fishing tradition with the pole won the previous year. Next year's event is already on my calendar."

Fishing can be a life-long hobby, a hobby the ANF and its partners hope to continue encouraging through the annual Kids Fishing Derby.

What is the most environmentally friendly, "Going Green," way to get to work and save money at the same time? Ride a mass transit bus. Thanks to the investigative talents of one enthusiastic employee, Monica Neal, that is what several Shawnee National Forest employees who live in or near Marion, Illinois, and work at the Supervisor's Office in Harrisburg, Illinois, began doing starting in June of this year.

When others heard about the availability of mass transit, they soon followed suit. Besides the route traveling east to west, there is a north south route that is being taken advantage of by employees who live between Harrisburg and Elizabethtown.

Aside from being environmentally friendly and "Going Green," mass transit has the additional benefits of saving pocket money, putting less wear and tear on your vehicle, and giving passengers the opportunity to relax and get to know co-workers and other passengers while traveling to and from work.

For a rider who travels 46 miles round trip per day, you can figure the average savings as:

46 miles per day

X 5 days per week

230 miles per week

X 4 weeks per month

920 miles per month / 26 miles per gallon = 35.4 gallons per mile

X $ 3.85 per gallon

$136.29 saved each month

In a year this totals over $1,600 savings and over 2,500 less miles on each vehicle in a year's time. Add to personal savings, the reduction of negative environmental impacts of using mass transit, and you have a win/win situation.

Those who ride are picked up at designated locations and dropped off in front of the office each morning. What a way to "Go Green" and at the same time have fun and save money.

With bridge safety being a concern nationally and locally, the Chippewa's Forest Engineer approached the GIS Team looking for a way for employees to easily access Forest bridge data and reports. The GIS Team went to work with this challenge. Their goal was to provide a tool that would answer employees questions and help solve problems by viewing data in a way that would be quickly understood and easily accessed and shared.

Using ArcIMS software the GIS Team built a web based application that any employee can use. No special training or software is needed for the user. Accessing it through the Chippewa's FSWeb, employees first view a map of the Forest. Then by either zooming in on a specific bridge on the map, or selecting that bridge via a drop down menu, users are brought directly to that bridge location on the map. Hyperlinks built into the program then provide access to photos of the selected bridge from different angles, bridge data and bridge reports, including sufficiency rating reports and old and current inspection reports. The GIS Team has bridged the gap! The next step is adding video!

To view the bridge web mapping go to: http://pcdegjwfh81.chippewa.r9.fs.fed.us/website/bridges/viewer.htm.

This summer, the Washington Office Conservation Education (CE) staff hosted and mentored another wonderful and very energetic Job Corps student.

Ja'Mielle Franklin is working as the administrative assistant to Conservation Education Director Dr. Safiya Samman in Washington, D.C.

Ja'Mielle is originally from Plainfield, New Jersey. She began her journey at the Job Corps Center in Washington, D.C., with aspirations to improve the future for herself and her son, Malachi. Ja'Mielle's hard work and determination were key elements in making these aspirations come true.

After excelling in the Job Corps program, Ja'Mielle was placed in an advanced program at the Job Corps Center called Transportation Communication International Union, or TCU.

Ja'Mielle's skills have allowed her to go further and be selected for training with the Forest Service. She has come to CE with several beneficial skills, including organization, administrative knowledge, customer service, phone etiquette and on top of that, a charming and down-to-earth personality.

CE staff members are putting these skills to good use! Ja'Mielle is adding to her skills with knowledge of specific Forest Service systems, as well as learning about correspondence databases, filing systems, navigating Fed Traveler, arranging travel plans, processing travel authorizations, and submitting travel vouchers. She has also participated in a number of Forest Service outreach activities and events.

When asked what she enjoys most about her job experience in CE, Ja'Mielle said, "I enjoy the supportive nature of my co-workers and the team atmosphere in CE. Also, working with an amazing supervisor that is a strong leader for the whole team to follow."

Ja'Mielle said that she feels this experience has had a great impact on her life,

"My supervisor has been a great mentor to me and other younger adults in the office," she said. "She has motivated me to want more and achieve more. I am glad that I was offered this opportunity to enhance my abilities through this program."

She is also very thankful to Dr. Samman for the opportunity. As a result, Ja'Mielle is now dreaming and planning to attend college sometime in the near future.

The skills Ja'Mielle has gained working in the Forest Service and Job Corps has prepared her for a successful future. Ja'Mielle's future is a lot brighter than before because of this experience.

When asked what she would take away from her experience with the Forest Service, she stated that "the Forest Service has shown me that you must love what you do and want to make a change, and I feel in my heart that is me, that's what I'm doing."

Ja'Mielle hopes to be placed in a permanent position within the Forest Service focusing on administrative services. She and her son, Malachi, are mobile and looking forward to exploring new and different opportunities in various regions within the Forest Service.

Story submitted by Autumn Jauck, Information Assistant

On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, artist Phyllis Northup guided 13 participants in an all-day workshop called THE ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL-LAKE SUPERIOR & THE NORTHWOODS. The day began at the Falling Rock Cafe with exercises in different types of drawing and an introduction to color. Northup provided nature quotes from John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, and others to give ideas and set the mood for the field work.

Bay Furnace Historic Site, located on the shores of Lake Superior, was the setting for the afternoon, where a stream of consciousness writing exercise with writing in circles and patterns started the participants in thinking artistically. Drawings in ink of wildflowers and bark followed practice in drawing plants. Northup taught attendees how to use a plexiglas square and markers to compose a landscape.

Writing about the sounds of the lake and forest followed, then, working in groups, the artists used different colors of paint chips to discover matching greens in the forest. They were encouraged to write about the changing nature of Lake Superior, and about the intimate landscapes around them.

The workshop, a quiet and spiritual experience enjoyed by all, was sponsored by the Hiawatha Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding and enjoyment of the Hiawatha National Forest. To learn more about the Association, visit their website http://hiawathainterpretive.com or contact Autumn Jauck at 906-387-2512 x11.

Most South Carolina residents probably associate the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) with standard images of concrete abutments, orange highway cones, road patches or freeway lane construction. But…fish?

On the Sumter National Forest, Forest Service fisheries biologists are joining forces with SCDOT far from any barricade or flagman to improve a travel way that has nothing at all to do with the flow of traffic.

It's a creek bed in what was, long ago, a bottomland hardwood forest -a once-meandering stream channel deeply damaged by forces completely unrelated to any of the transportation agency's construction projects.

Through a concept called mitigation banking, SCDOT engages in projects designed to restore or enhance a wetland, stream or other aquatic resource within a county as a compensatory measure for the unavoidable impacts to similar habitats resulting from road and bridge repairs or construction.

A mitigation bank project in Newberry County on Hunting Creek will convert some 16,000 linear feet of damaged and eroded creek bed into approximately 17,500 linear feet of stable stream habitat and associated wetlands. SCDOT bought the land specifically to restore the stream channel and establish mitigation bank credits in and around Newberry County.

Ron Ahle, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources employee, proposed the project to SCDOT after discussing prospective restoration projects with Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Jeanne Riley and Wildlife Biologist Gary Peters.

On site early this year for a monitoring project, Ahle described the stream bed issues as Riley and a team of students and employees prepared to survey the aquatic life in the stream. The crew would record fish species, size and weight range as well as the total number in each species to monitor diversity and reproduction in the population.

"If you look out here right now you see that the creek bed is a Grand Canyon, and that's not natural," said Ahle. "This should be a creek that you could jump across, maybe three feet wide instead of the 10 to 12 feet you see here."

The original hardwood wetland was cleared years ago and the land, at least at one time, was used for dairy farming. Perhaps as many as 80 years ago, Ahle speculated, the meandering stream was probably straightened into a channel, cut to a depth of about six feet and widened to about 12 feet.

The channel would likely have been used for irrigating crops and watering animals. Land on either side of the stream was completely cleared of its trees, shrubs and grasses, exposing the stream banks, which dramatically increased the erosion potential from storm runoff and the deposition of sediment input from the open fields.

"It completely destabilized the channel," explained Ahle. "That's when things started to go wrong. Now you can see where roots and whole trees are hanging down into the channel. The water just cuts at the toe and things start to collapse from the bank"

According to Riley, Enoree Ranger District Hydrologist Jay Swafford plans to restore five lower tributaries to the main channel that flow across Forest Service lands this fall. Swafford seized the opportunity to correct similar issues downstream of the main channel project as a natural complement to the mitigation repairs. The Forest Service tributaries, compensating for hydrologic anomalies on the damaged upper section of Hunting Creek, have developed headcuts and other notable erosional problems of their own.

Because of the extent of the damage, SCDOT will use heavy equipment to restore the stream channel to its original profile, Riley explained. A professional stream mitigation consulting firm designed the restoration projects at both the SCDOT mitigation bank site and the lower Forest Service locations. The firm compared the characteristics of less impacted reference streams within the local area to formulate its design for the restoration of Hunting Creek and its tributaries.

On their most recent visit, Riley, Enoree District personnel and employees from the Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer from the Blacksburg, Virginia branch of the Forest Service Southern Research Station sampled two stream segments of the main channel to compare those findings to earlier data gathered on species and populations.

"The Forest Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources set up one fish inventory site that was surveyed in 2001. An additional site sampled this year is located further downstream below stream restoration activities," said Riley. "We're really gathering baseline data so we can come in later and monitor any changes to the aquatic community that may occur with restoration implementation."

Riley fully expects to see some impacts during the restoration and for a period of time after its completion. But, she said, "We do expect improvements in the aquatic community with improvements in stream habitat. We'll be able to go back three or four years later and monitor how the population is doing after the streams have been fully restored."

The entire 306.4 acre Hunting Creek tract, which is bordered on three sides by Forest Service lands on the Enoree Ranger District, will likely come under Forest Service management and protection at the conclusion of the project.

IRONTON, OHIO - The U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), ODNR Division of Wildlife and forest users gathered Wednesday, August 13, 2008 to celebrate the successful completion of a partnership that has added 4,117 acres of land to the Wayne National Forest on the Ironton Ranger District in southeastern Ohio.

The Ohio Chapter of TNC transferred 1,665 acres in Lawrence County and 514 acres in Gallia County to the U.S. Forest Service. This 2,179 acre purchase completes a land protection project that began in 2004, when the Conservancy began buying the land from Mead-Westvaco Corp.

"This land is very diverse with numerous fishing ponds, open meadows, and young mixed hardwood and conifer trees. We are excited about the tremendous recreational opportunities that this additional acreage will offer the public, "said Jerri Marr, Acting Forest Supervisor, Wayne National Forest. The property has historic value as well; the historic Pioneer Iron Furnace stack is located on the property. These lands have been operated since 2005 as the Ironton Forest Wildlife Area, a public hunting and fishing area, through a cooperative agreement with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and TNC. The Wayne National Forest appreciates the important partnership with the ODNR Division of Wildlife and the Division of Forestry in the stewardship of private and public lands.

The 4,117 acres is now part of the Wayne National Forest. A portion was named Anderson Meadows Public Hunting and Viewing Area, by TNC, in honor of the late Ora E. Anderson, a former trustee of The Nature Conservancy, who supported the establishment and growth of the Wayne National Forest for decades. The property was purchased by the U.S. Forest Service in four acquisitions over 3 years, bringing the total acreage of the Ironton Ranger District to 104,257 acres and the Wayne National Forest to 240,979 acres.

Since 1989, the Ohio Chapter of TNC has worked with the Wayne National Forest to protect more than 5,475 acres of forest for the benefit of future generations and protect open space. Most of the land has been located in northern Lawrence County, one of the Conservancy's forest conservation priorities in Ohio.

"The U.S. Forest Service has been a great steward of some of Ohio's most iconic forests," said Josh Knights, Executive Director of the Conservancy in Ohio. "The Wayne National Forest is a tremendous resource for all Ohioans, providing recreational opportunities and timber while protecting clean water and wildlife habitat."

Ohio's Appalachian forest is part of the oldest and most biologically diverse forest system in North America. Both the Forest Service and TNC recognize that large contiguous blocks of forest under single ownership are extremely uncommon in Ohio. The greatest threat to Ohio's forest is fragmentation. Consolidating public ownership of these forest lands will help sustain viable populations of southern Ohio's plants, animals, and natural communities. Consolidation also makes it easier for the public to identify and enjoy their public land and improves the ability to manage the lands.

Pollinators are declining in numbers and even disappearing in some areas - and they are very important to life on earth as we know it. The contents on our dinner table lead us to the conclusion that, "All flesh is grass" (Isaiah 40.6-8). Indeed, with the exception of grasses, 80 percent of the earth's plants are reliant on insect pollination to get seed or produce fruits.

Zaagkii is an Ojibwa word meaning "the earth's gift of plants" according to Rev. Jon Magnuson, the Executive Director of the Cedar Tree Institute. The Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project is in the first phase of a three-year project sponsored by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; Cedar Tree Institute, the Marquette County Juvenile Court, and the Eastern Region.

Local youth have learned, accomplished, and contributed much during this first year: construction of 18 butterfly houses; learning visits to a local beekeeper; hand harvest of locally native seed resulting in 26,000 native plant plugs grown and outplanted to several acres at the KBIC's Sand Point Trail. (This section of Lake Superior shoreline was the first tribal Brownfield cleanup site in the Midwest.) Their combined efforts totaled 720 volunteer hours.

Youth were recognized for their fine work in pollinator awareness and protection at the 30th annual Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Maawanji'iding Pow- wow this past July. They were also honored in July at the Cedar Tree Institute annual barbecue. The group raised a six-foot monarch butterfly above the pavilion to represent the effort.

Indian Country Today, the largest Native American newspaper in the country, ran a two-part series on the Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project.

On August 5, Chippewa National Forest employees joined with community members from Walker Minnesota to celebrate National Night Out. The event, organized by the Boys and Girls Club of Leech Lake and Walker Police Department, was held at the Walker City Park. The Office of Justice Programs and the Boys & Girls Club of America share an excellent partnership to support a crime prevention initiative that strengthens and creates partnerships among youth, law enforcement and local agencies.

The free event included a community picnic, face painting, inflatable jumpers, other youth activities, a dunk tank and a flight ambulance display. The Walker Fire Department showcased a fire truck and hovercraft, the Cass County Sheriff's Office provided a K-9 handler and had their Boat and Water Patrol and Dive Team on displays and the Chippewa National Forest brought a Type 6 engine, fire gear and Smokey Bear!

National Night Out is the nation's night out against crime. It is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, local residents are encouraged to join with their neighbors to have an outdoor event to build neighborhood spirit and unity - which is the first defense against crime. Research shows that when neighbors know each other and look out for each other crime goes down. National Night Out has been celebrated in cities and towns across the nation on the first Tuesday in August. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the annual event.

By Brenda Whitaker

August 19, 2008

On August 6, 2008, the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District held a work day at the Murphysboro Work Center. Thirteen permanent employees, fourteen temporary employees, one partner and two volunteers participated in the work day. It took several hours to complete the pre-planning and pre-work necessary to successfully accomplish the goals planned for the day.

All non-native shrubs, bushes and trees immediately adjacent to the office building were removed and 28 tons of top soil was added to level the ground. Seven tons of medium pea gravel, plus landscape rock were hauled to the site. A border was constructed around the office using the landscape rock, weed fabric and pea gravel. The area in front of the office was cleaned and leveled then weed fabric and pea gravel were placed. Grass seed was sown on the lawn where there was bare soil, shrubs and trees were trimmed, windows were washed, the dumpster pad was reconstructed, and the concrete break area under the second story deck and the sidewalks around the office were pressure washed. The Golconda Job Corp contributed their skills by cutting limbs and some large hazard trees.

The Work Center is now ready for the planting of native plant species. This work meets the direction and intent of the Washington Office's emphasis in removing non-native plant species from our administration sites and replacing them with native plant and pollinator species. Once this phase of landscaping renovation is completed we anticipate creating a small interpretive trail with plant placards identifying many of the planted species.

After a safe and successful morning, everyone enjoyed a submarine sandwich lunch. This is another example of how the employees of the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District are protecting ecosystems across boundaries as well as connecting citizens to the land.

The Ottawa National Forest, Trust for Public Land (TPL), We Energies, and other partners gathered on August 15, 2008, to announce that the Forest Service has purchased 2,000 acres of land along the Sturgeon River. This property, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, includes undeveloped and pristine forest within the boundaries of the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area and Wild & Scenic River.

In addition to this unprecedented addition to the Wilderness, 6.6 miles of the Sturgeon River will remain preserved and protected as a Wild & Scenic River, thanks to the enactment of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, which celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2008. The property has now been added as part of the Forest for permanent protection.

The event was held at Bear's Den Overlook, which overlooks the newly protected property and the Sturgeon National Wild and Scenic River.

U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representative Bart Stupak sent representatives to the event on their behalf. The congressional delegation worked to secure federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund so that the Ottawa National Forest could acquire the land.

In August 2006, the integrity of the Wilderness area and the Wild & Scenic River corridor were in jeopardy due to the pending sale of 11,000 acres owned by We Energies in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Rather than sell the privately owned 2,000 acres to developers, We Energies sought to protect and add the property to the Ottawa National Forest. TPL secured the property from We Energies and held it until the Forest Service was able to acquire the land in its entirety.

The Sturgeon River Gorge is a distinctive landform and its unique geologic features are unduplicated elsewhere in the Lake States. Throughout this rugged, steep Wilderness, the Sturgeon and Little Silver Rivers and their tributaries have carved falls, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. With its rugged terrain, mature forests, and remote location, the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, offers outstanding recreational opportunities including hiking, primitive camping, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, hunting, and fishing. A ten mile portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail runs immediately adjacent to the wilderness and its eastern boundary.

"Wilderness plays such an important role in our ecosystems, communities, and hearts," said Susan J. Spear, Forest Supervisor for the Ottawa National Forest. "The opportunity for the Forest Service to work with our Michigan congressional delegation and partners such as We Energies and The Trust for Public Land to preserve this area is an honor. Not only does this acquisition preserve the unique character of the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, but it also provides for nearly 7 miles of the Sturgeon River to remain preserved and protected a s Wild and Scenic River. We are excited that this area will now be available for future generations to enjoy."

The day's events were a huge success, thanks to the support from the many partners who worked tirelessly to make this happen.

Several partners tested how to efficiently harvest MO round wood off Mark Twain National Forest during the summer 2008. One of several similar studies in southeastern US, it was the first on Midwestern/oak hickory hardwood forests.

The purpose of the study was to develop, test, and if successful, promote small scale, cost-effective harvest and transport of biomass off Midwestern hardwood forests.

The study was a collaborative effort between academia, government and industry including Missouri's Forest Products Association, Auburn University, University of Missouri, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station and Mark Twain National Forest.

A field demonstration was conducted July 19, 2008, the last day of the project, on Poplar Bluff Ranger District, Mark Twain National Forest. During the demonstration, small scale logging equipment was used to harvest 3-9 diameter trees, skidding trees to a landing where they were ground into chips and blown into tractor trailers.

There currently is a very limited market for these smaller diameter trees in Missouri or elsewhere in the Midwest.

"We hope that research and demonstrations such as this will promote more utilization of small diameter trees which need to be removed to meet conservation goals for healthy and sustainable forests in Missouri," said Mark Twain National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor Paul Strong.

Removal of woody biomass from Mark Twain National Forest, especially in strategic locations, would also reduce hazardous fuels build-up and improve wildlife habitat for species such as the federally-endangered Indiana Bat. In addition, it would contribute to the forest's long term management goals to restore the structure, composition, and function of distinctive Missouri natural communities.

The biomass demonstration study site was located in one of the highest priority restoration areas on the forest. Cane Ridge Pinery has been identified by the Nature Conservancy and Forest as a unique natural community in need of restoration. In the forest's 2005 Forest Management Plan, the area is designated for restoration to its historic conditions of shortleaf pine and pre-oak forest types.

"Combined with selective harvest treatments and periodic applications of prescribed burning, Cane Ridge and other ecosystem restoration areas can begin to move toward these desired conditions," Strong said. Mark Twain and other public and private forest lands require either restoration or stand-tending work. Strong said the high cost of mechanically removing woody biomass off public lands - anywhere from $300 to $1,000 dollars per acre - has been a serious impediment to performing needed forest restoration work.

"These costs, however, can be offset if markets for small diameter trees can be developed within a cost effective hauling distance from an area needing work," Strong said.

More project information can be found on the Mark Twain's web-site at www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain. For further information regarding Woody Biomass Utilization, visit www.fs.fed.us/woodybiomass.

Becky Dees of Bryant, Arkansas said her youngest son Matt is still talking about the "awesome" experience he had June 7-14, 2008 in Taney County near Ava, Mo.

Matt was one of the more than 500 Boy Scouts from across the country who participated in the Boy Scouts' largest national conservation project since World War II and the largest single volunteer project on Mark Twain National Forest.

"When my youngest son got home he said this was the best thing he's ever done in his Boy Scout career," Becky said.

Using bow saws, loppers and chainsaws more than 500 Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Honor Society members known as "Arrowmen" cleared encroaching red cedars from 134 acres of native dolomite glade ecosystem. Glades, mostly treeless natural communities, are in decline in Missouri due to a number of factors including red cedar encroachment, invasive exotic species, overgrazing, fire suppression and commercial and residential development.

Now that the cedars have been cut, the area will be treated in the future with prescribed burning to help limit new cedar encroachment and increase species diversity of native plants and animals such as yellow coneflowers, collared lizards and roadrunners.

Participants included Boy Scout support staff and Mingo Job Corps Center enrollees. Mark Twain and Shawnee National Forest employees provided oversight through an incident management team. The estimated value of the volunteer work is over $542,000.

"We were glad to be a part of this event and are very happy with the results of this first ever partnership project," said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor David Whittekiend.

"We really appreciate the help of the Arrowmen and our partners at Mingo Job Corps," said Ava District Ranger Jenny Farenbaugh. "This project is proof of how much can be accomplished working together as partners."

Farenbaugh, Timber Management Assistant Darla Rein, (former) Wilderness Ranger Kale Horton and Forest Staff Officer Kris Swanson were instrumental working on the project first proposed to the Boy Scouts in 2004.

"We also appreciate the support of local merchants and businesses including Branson, Springfield, Rogersville, Mansfield, Norwood, Seymour, and Ava," Farenbaugh said. "Taney County Commissioners and Taney County Road Commissioners and road crews played a very significant role improving the Bateman Road into the project site area."

Theresa Wooldridge, Mark Twain National Forest's Eleven Point Ranger District, Doniphan, MO was selected 2008 Administrative Professional of the Year for Ripley County.

The annual award was sponsored by Ripley County's Chamber of Commerce.

Theresa started her career as a secretary in 1970 for the United Farm Agency. She then joined the Forest Service, where she currently works as the district's support services specialist.

"My job is to support and help keep the office running as smoothly as possible by keeping abreast of new rules and regulation, office scheduling, staff and personnel support, purchasing, and supervision," Theresa said. "What a surprise and shock it was to hear my name called as the one chosen for the honor. I looked across the room at the many professionals, friends, coworkers, classmates and community supporters and realized how blessed I was to be in a community that would promote one of their own."

"We're all very proud and appreciative of Theresa Wooldridge and appreciate Ripley County's Chamber of Commerce honoring her with this award ," said Eleven Point District Ranger Tim Bond.

The group gathered in Corydon, Indiana on July 22 and 23, 2008 from across three states. Their common interest was the national Ohio River Scenic Byway (ORSB) which stretches 967 miles from the Pennsylvania/Ohio state line to its confluence with the Mississippi River. The long winding route is paved along the twists and turns of the Ohio River and its surrounding communities. It isn't one road, but a series of roads that roughly parallel the river, the route winding through an area steeped in history both natural and cultural, with many stories to tell.

The group that assembled had as little in common as the route they represented. Most had never previously met. Though the route is designated as a single national byway, it is currently operated as three separate byways with only minimal coordination between the executive directors of each of their boards. For the first time, each of the three boards and their volunteers and the national forests in each of the three states along the byway were able to see what the other states had done, and share accomplishments and frustrations. For most of two days they worked together on how they could develop and share a common vision and goals.

Mark Conley and Curt Pianalto from Americas Byway's Resource Center were both instrumental in planning and facilitating the workshop. Curt's dynamic facilitation and "sticky wall" technique was key in keeping the group motivated and engaged. Claudia Mielke from the Forest Service's Regional Office and Floyd Thompson from the Washington Office were also both involved and helped make the event a success. There were a few key presentations on the secrets of successful byways by Mark Conley, how the Forest Service works with byway communities by Floyd Thompson, and podcasting basics by Gary Chancey, but most of the workshop was focused on group interaction.

One of the revelations from the workshop was the lack of awareness by most participants that the national forests could be key players in byways. The possibilities of this new partnership between the Forests and communities were palpable as the group worked together on future goals. In fact one outcome was for the group to continue to meet quarterly, and hold at least half the meetings via the video-teleconferencing capabilities at the Forest Service offices across the three states.

In addition to the group seeing the advantages of working together, there were several instances of people having individual epiphanies. One was as the group dined overlooking a panoramic view of the Ohio River discussing the byway, Dick Thomas, co-executive director for the Ohio portion of the ORSB, said he'd always been focused on the roads. He'd never thought about the byway really being about the river! Another was when one group suggested the purchase of the Delta Queen, an aging river boat, to tour the river as a mini-cruise ship and roving visitor center, at first many thought it was joke. But soon, the group was on board and agreed it was one of the best ideas of the workshop.

Overall, people were excited and agreed the potential of what they envisioned working together to accomplish was huge. There were some key missing people that need to brought on board, and some of the tasks seemed overwhelming but an exercise Curt led the group through called underlying contradictions helped the group work through obstacles they perceived like "funding issues" to get at what the real issue was, and often helped them see that the obstacle was not insurmountable.

Although there wasn't enough time to accomplish everything the group wanted to do, it was a pivotal point that the group saw the value in continuing to work together and accomplish things as one cohesive tri-state byway. For the communities and byway board members - it was time well spent in reenergizing and focusing their efforts. For the Forest Service it was a monumental step. Claudia Mielke said it well, "I believe the future of the FS rests in communities that value and care about places in and near NFS lands that can then connect with the visiting public. Over the next few years I hope to use the byway program to make, build, and strengthen those connections to communities who in turn will reach out to urban audiences." Staff on the Shawnee, the Wayne, and the Hoosier National Forests agree and look forward to working with these partners in the years to come.

The chance of a person dying from being struck by lightning is far greater than contracting rabies from a bat. Yet people often associate bats with myths and negative connotations such as this one.

Contrary to popular belief, bats have numerous ecological roles as pollinators, seed dispersers and insect controllers. Their large consumption of insects contributes to healthy forests and agricultural crops; however, bat populations are globally declining mainly due to habitat destruction.

In 2000, to address this issue and the needs of land managers, researchers and scientists whose work affects or is affected by bats, the Southern Research Station initiated a comprehensive research program on the ecology and conservation of southern forest bats. Developed and led by Dr. Susan Loeb, Southern Research Station research ecologist, the outstanding research program conducted by the station and its partners received the 2008 Wings Across the Americas Award (WATA) for its efforts in bat conservation.

"Many benefits have been generated because of the research program including numerous publication and reports to federal and state agencies," said Loeb. "Other benefits include increased visibility and knowledge of bats and their importance, in-depth studies on the ecology of species of special concern, and the dispelling of many myths about bats."

Part of the Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Unit, the research program serves the needs of managers in a variety of ecosystems throughout the southeast. Three main areas of research focus on: the ecology and conservation of endangered and sensitive species; habitat associations of all southern forest bats and the effects of forest management practices on their habitat use and populations; and development and evaluation of robust methods for inventorying and monitoring forest bats.

Results of the work have been used in several biological assessments on the Sumter and Chatthoochee national forests. Additionally, the research program has funded many graduate research programs, summer internships and has provided volunteer opportunities.

Today, the Southern Research Station is continuing its research on bats in southern forests. Current projects include: the ecology and conservation of Rafinesque's big-eared bats in South Carolina; the effects of oak regeneration techniques on bat activity, habitat use, and the insect prey base; the use of stable isotopes to track migration of bats in the eastern US; and testing techniques to inventory and monitor forest bats.

Wings Across the Americas is a Forest Service program that represents an integrated and collaborative approach to bird conservation across agency program areas. The annual awards ceremony celebrates exceptional work that conserves birds, bats and butterflies and their habitats across the Americas. It recognizes the important roles that these sometimes overlooked species play in the environment and in relation to human concern.

The award was shared with the following national forests in Region 8: Sumter, Chattahoochee, Daniel Boone and Nantahala. The Congaree and Great Smoky Mountain National Parks; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Clemson University and MeadWestvaco also shared the award.

"One of the most rewarding experiences of this project is working with a large, diverse group of partners and cooperators," said Loeb. "I have never seen a more enthused group who shows genuine interest in results."

For more information about this story, please contact Michelle Burnett, public affairs staff officer, at michelleburnett@fs.fed.us or at (803) 561-4091.

Co-Author: Chris Peterson

August 7, 2008

The purpose of the cooperative fire agreements between the Shawnee National Forest and local fire departments and districts is to provide fire aid and coordination between the parties in order to more efficiently and effectively detect, prevent and suppress wildland fires within the jurisdictions of the participating agencies when resources are available. Fire departments or districts that have entered into such an agreement include: Equality, Shawneetown, Carrier Mills, Vienna, Goreville, Cypress, Campbell Hill, Carterville, Williamson County, Lake of Egypt and Carbondale Township. Agencies that have fire agreements with the Forest Service are the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U. S. National Park Service and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is mutually beneficial to the interests of the parties for the Forest Service to be responsible for prevention, protection and suppression of wildland fires on National Forest lands, and on adjacent State and private forested lands when identified in a written agreement. Fire departments and state and federal agencies that have the responsibility for prevention, protection and suppression of structure and wildland fires within their established fire protection district also derive a benefit. These agreements are in the public interest by providing a means for the Forest and local, state and federal agencies to coordinate their efforts in the prevention, detection and suppression of wildfires in and adjacent to the lands each agency manages or protects.

These agreements provide the criteria for the agencies to work together to coordinate their supporting roles, to establish jurisdiction, to furnish mutual aid, to plan prescribed

burns, to reduce and prevent wildfires and to work jointly to suppress fires once they are discovered. These fire agreements were made possible through the efforts of Shawnee

National Forest Fire Management Officer Chris Peterson, Forest Service Agreements Coordinator Mike Rogers and the cooperating agencies who have entered into them.

These cooperative fire agreements are a prime example of how the Forest is working with others to protect ecosystems across boundaries.

On June 28 and 29, Herb Clevenger, an employee on the Marienville Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest and Interpretative Park Ranger Brian Reedy of the National Park Service conducted a two-day living history encampment on the Clarion River.

The focus of the encampment was the French and Indian War period with an emphasis on the French fur trade that utilized the water ways of western Pennsylvania. Control of these water ways were essential to the French if they were to keep the English from gaining a foot hold in the Ohio country. The aggressive moves of the French on the Allegheny River starting in 1749 would lead to the French and Indian war, which quickly became a global conflict.

The encampment was held in conjunction with an archeology school that was also conducted by the Marienville Ranger District. The archeology school teamed local high school students with Forest Service archeologists for nearly two weeks. The students visited the living history encampment on June 29 and were treated to a variety of programs ranging from early fur trade to native life ways.

The students also spent a few hours being taught American Indian games by one of the historians. The encampment also had nearly 100 visitors from the local communities and canoe paddlers from the river itself. This encampment was a success due to a partnership with the National Park Service.

Success Story - Stream Improvement Project - Rappe Run, July 22, 2008

As part of his plan to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, Ray Gregg a fifteen year old scout from Marienville requested and received permission to do a stream improvement project on the Allegheny National Forest. Rappe Run was chosen as the site for the project. Rappe Run is a small tributary of Spring Creek located in the dissected plateau country of the Allegheny National Forest's Marienville Ranger District. Ray organized a group of his fellow scouts and a few adults to help with completion of the improvement project.

With the help of a chain saw operator and a technical adviser from the Marienville Ranger District, the scout and his party went to work at two previously selected sections of Rappe Run. Utilizing sound, dead trees where possible, the sawyers cut 10 to 15 foot sections of tree trunk to be used in the construction of the stream management structures. The scout and his friends used three sections cut from the trees to build each of two structures. First, a rough depression was scraped in the loose rocks and sediment in the stream channel and the first two sections of tree trunk were placed in the depression with the third section placed on top of the bottom two. Together, the three sections formed a triangular shape approximately 12 - 14 inches high. The scouts used rocks scattered along the banks of Rappe Run to hold the trunk sections in place.

The first structure was built on the downstream edge of a plunge pool formed by a small waterfall cascading over a few boulders in the stream channel. The effect of this structure was to deepen the plunge pool and enhance the habitat for native brook trout. A second site was selected several hundred feet downstream from the first at a point where sediment deposition had caused channel braiding, resulting in two channels. For this part of the project a triangular arrangement of tree sections was placed at the beginning of the braid, reducing the number of channels from two to one. In both cases the tree trunks were anchored to the stream channel and to each other by rocks, whose weight and careful placement should keep the structures anchored for several years. Both structures were located carefully to avoid the potential for stream bank erosion. In addition to deepening the stream channels, and improving fish habitat, the structures are also intended to serve as sediment traps. When overtopped by stream flows, a reduction in water velocity at the structure should cause sand and other sediment to drop out and be trapped in and immediately downstream from the structure.

After a busy morning of moving sections of tree trunk and stacking rocks, the scouts had accomplished quite a bit of useful stream improvement work within the Rappe Run channel. Ray and his buddies were tired, but the adults in their midst were even more tired!

By Michael Belcher

With high gas prices and smaller school budgets teachers looking to take students on field trips are finding it harder than ever. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL), in partnership with the Forest Service More Kids in the Woods Program, Land Between The Lakes Association, and Murray State University Center for Environmental Education have stepped up to the challenge by helping provide transportation grants for field trips to LBL.

The LBL Field Trip Grant Program provides funds for teachers and administrators to bring their students to LBL for a variety of environmental and conservation education activities linked with curriculum requirements from both Kentucky and Tennessee Departments of Education. Since its inception in 2001, the program has helped over 15,000 young people from five states reconnect with nature through the wide variety of programs and facilities provided at LBL. Just this past year it helped 2,443 students with grants averaging $670 per group.

The program offers kids a chance to enhance their classroom studies and reconnect with nature.

"LBL is a wonderful experience that can not be duplicated in the classroom," writes one teacher from McGavock Elementary in Nashville, TN. "Many of our students live in the city and have not experienced this hands-on study of nature."

Lylenel Harris, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, came to Blackwell about a year ago. Since his arrival, he has completed Constructions Craft Laborer vocational training, and is currently in Business Technology training and will be at the center for at least another two months. Lylenel came to Blackwell in pursuit of higher education and "wanted something that was more than just a job."

But, this is just one of the chapters of this young man's life. From the time he was born, he was the youngest in a family of five being raised by a single mother. When he was eight years old, his mother was unable to continue caring for the children, and for about 9 years, Lylenel and his siblings were in as many as ten different foster homes. "Living with many different families gave me the gift of understanding and welcoming diversity. I found it difficult to cope with going from one home to another not knowing where I would end up next. I believe that was the very thing that allowed me not only to accept change, but also gives me the ability to mentor others," he said.

Lylenel was not a stranger to Job Corps (1-800-733-JOBS) as his brother Wayman Harris graduated from a Job Corps Center in Indiana as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Lylenel decided to choose the Blackwell campus for his training because it was smaller, offered more one-on-one educational opportunities, and was closer to home. Now that he is close to completing the Business Technology training, he is again looking ahead into his future. He would like to transfer to Hubert Humphrey Job Corps in Minnesota and continue the training that will qualify him for employment under the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP), hopefully at a Forest Service office in Milwaukee or Albuquerque.

Lylenel's Business Technology instructor, Linda Kau, speaks highly of him. "He has a very professional demeanor and has what it takes to take advantage of what Job Corps has to offer. Being hired for the Forest Service under SCEP is an opportunity he probably wouldn't have anywhere else."

His skills in communicating and connecting with others were also noticed by the residential advisors in his dormitory. Within two months of his stay at Blackwell, he was placed in a leadership role, and eventually became the dormitory vice president. He is also an active volunteer for blood drives, highway clean-up, and helped to build a play set for a local children's park.

"Getting here was scary," he said, upon arriving at the Center, "but now it really feels like home. I'm glad I won't have to look back five to ten years from now and wish I had been more successful. Job Corps gave me that wish."

(Contributed by Cathy Fox, Public Affairs, Chequamegon-Nicolet NF)

email:

JCBLACKWELL@JOBCORPS.ORG

Website:

www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/blackwell

ABOUT BLACKWELL

Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National forest between Laona and Wabeno in Forest County. Blackwell offers federal scholarships for young adults under the age of 25. In addition to diversity training, students at Blackwell receive academic training that leads to completion of an HSED or High School Diploma as well as vocational training in Welding, Union Bricklaying and Tile Setting, Union Carpentry, Union Construction Craft Laborer, Union Painting, Health Occupations (CNA), Business Technologies, and Electrician Training. For information on Blackwell JCCCC or to arrange a tour, please call Penny McLaughlin at (715) 674-7654. To fill out a free application for a Blackwell scholarship, please call Joe Kovach at 920-435-1543.

The end of July marks the end of a busy summer season for five local youth conservation crew members and their leader on the Chippewa's Deer River District.

The crew is made up of local high school students: Gary Parrington, Amanda Strickland, Liz Anttila, Jessica Parise, and Dane Heig. Ara Anderson, who teaches and coaches at the Deer River High School, was the crews' fearless leader this summer.

Projects across the district ranging from brushing trails to archeological digs kept the crew busy in June and July.

The district silviculturalist and reforestation technician educated the crew about some of the logging practices and harvest chronology around the area. The crew participated in pathological pruning of White Pine in the Bena area-about 80 acres in total, which entailed removing the bottom one-third of the foliage of the trees-which reduces the risk of White Pine Blister Rust.

Corrective pruning of the tops of the trees was also done, which meant selecting the dominant bud chute from the plant to encourage better tree growth. Removal of slash off of seedlings and saplings in the unit was also incorporated into their activities, which gave established trees more room to grow.

The Ruby Lake Girl Scout camp had a harvest operation and was in need of some clean up to reduce hazard fuels and make the site more aesthetically pleasing after harvest, which the YCC crew dedicated two weeks of their time to accomplishing. The district fire crew and other district employees were also on site to help with chainsaw operations and wood chipping/debris removal, while the YCC crew did much of the ground work pulling, piling, and removing slash from the trails and around structures.

This was one of the June projects, and really the first field experience for the crew. The Ruby Lake camp looks wonderful once again as a tangible result of the crew's hard work.

The Simpson Creek Trail, located near the Cutfoot Sioux Visitors Center, received a much-needed brushing. West Seelye, North Deer, and Clubhouse campgrounds got help from the crew with rehabilitation of trails, retaining walls, campsite clearing for lake views and access, and general maintenance and upkeep.

The crew also spent a few days helping the fire crew pull slash from a logging operation away from mature Red Pine trees in preparation for a prescribed burn that will take place in the future. This process helps to prevent scorching and mortality of the large trees.

Special field visits and educational experiences that Ara and the YCC crew got to be a part of were the Forest History Center, Blandin's operation and tour, Cutfoot Sioux CCC camp, the Lost Forty, Camp Rabideau, and the Joyce Estates. The YCC crew also received safety training throughout the season.

Rainy day activities included making fire protection maps and wood duck and bluebird houses. The crew will be ending the productive and exciting season with a well-deserved cookout at one of the sites they helped to rehabilitate this summer.

Every year, the Huron-Manistee National Forest hosts three Kids Fishing Day Events to encourage kids to "Get In the Woods!" This year's events at Mio Pond, Nichols Lake, and Crystal Lake had a total of more than 300 participants. Starting early in the morning and ending in late afternoon, the children were provided with fishing poles, bait and instruction on how to use both. Attendees ranged from barely walking to 16 years old.

In addition to fishing, each location had an array of activities for the young anglers, including a live turtle tank, a casting contest, and a poster display. Food and prizes were donated at each event by partners. From new fishing poles to new tackle boxes, everyone had something to bring home.

Partners included: From the Baldwin Area: The National Wild Turkey Federation - Chapters: the White River Longbeards, the Bitely/Baldwin Chapter, the Fremont Area Chapter, the Newaygo Valley Gobblers, and the Grant Gobblers, the Newaygo County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the Bitely Better Conservation Club, Nichols Lake Association, Boy Scouts of America, and local business owners. From the Manistee Area: the Wellston Boosters Association. And from the Mio area partners included: the Mio Lions Club, Jigs Up Bait and Tackle, Glens Market, and McDonalds.

By Macky McClung

On April 16, 2008, R10 Regional Forester Denny Bschor and Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole acknowledged that the U.S. Forest Service removed traditional Native smoke houses, cabins and fish camps in Southeast Alaska from the 1930s through the 1960s. This acknowledgement took place at the 73rd General Assembly of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Central Council is the regional federally-recognized Tribe for Southeast Alaska.

There were about 300 elders and other tribal participants from all Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Native communities participating in the General Assembly. The assembly provided an excellent opportunity for Bschor and Cole, along with Thorne Bay District Ranger Jason Anderson, to express their sincere commitment to cooperatively work together and promote a government-to-government relationship as a model for all Southeast Tribes and other federal agencies.

Assembly delegates were given the opportunity to either respond orally during the event or through written comments on a survey. Fourteen of the delegates were interviewed by Valesha Patterson, a local high school student and recent Forest Service student employee.

Bschor and leaders from the Tongass National Forest recognized the importance of acknowledging the past while fostering respectful and honorable relationships. Their actions opened the door for interested Tribes and ranger districts to take substantive actions at the local level to further the healing process.

This is already happening on the Thorne Bay Ranger District on Prince of Wales Island. The Organized Village of Kasaan requested use of national forest land to re-establish a fish camp and smokehouse at the mouth of the Karta River. Anderson and OVP President Richard Peterson are working with Forest Service employees and Tribal staff members to explore ways to make this a reality.

The prior removal of traditional smoke houses, cabins and fish camps in Southeast Alaska was done in accordance with national laws and regulations during that time period. The Forest Service is not authorized to make reparations for actions taken under U.S. law. The Forest Service is responsible for managing national forests and for ensuring that current permittees are in compliance with permit requirements.

Under our current laws, policies and regulations, the region will focus on the relationship aspect of ensuring compliance by engaging in consultation and enlisting the Tribe's support in communicating to the permittee the need to work toward resolution or to remove personal gear. Forest and district staff will endeavor to keep Tribes informed about the processes and the outcomes.

More information about the Acknowledgement Ceremony and additional documents can be found at: http://fsweb/staffs/tgr/index.shtml under the subheading, "Destruction of Fish Camps."

By John Neary

Having no authority doesn't make us powerless in protecting the character of our Alaskan Wilderness areas. Juneau Ranger District wilderness rangers received a growing number of complaints over many years regarding noise, overcrowding, and air quality in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. They heard from ship captains and kayakers who felt crowded on the water and concerned for the future of these once-pristine fjords.

Huge increases in the numbers of ship visits, for example, seemed contrary to the intent of the Wilderness Act to preserve opportunities for solitude. Yet most visitors to Tracy Arm don't set foot on the national forest when they arrive on the larger ships to view tidewater glaciers from their floating deck. So what can be done about issues for which the Tongass National Forest has no jurisdiction?

Throwing up our hands was the easy answer but that didn't seem to be in the public interest. Considerable public complaints kept arriving on the doorstep (kayak-step) of the only visible public management agency in the Wilderness. Crew leader Tim Lydon developed partnerships with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor air quality, and with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and NOAA to study seals on icebergs, in an effort to draw interest to the changes occurring.

He worked with vessel captains to provide information aboard ships about their effect on wildlife and other wilderness values. Wilderness Program Manager Ed Grossman then proposed working with the cruise industry to develop voluntary practices that would benefit this Wilderness, similar to flight guidelines previously developed for a portion of Admiralty Island near Pack Creek.

A focused discussion began in April 2007, when Forest Service officials met with representatives of large cruise ship companies in Ketchikan to present a proposal for what became known as Wilderness Best Management Practices for Tracy Arm-Fords Terror.

The initial Forest Service proposal included the following:

* Avoid using external public address systems and unnecessary horn blasts.

* Burn the cleanest fuel at optimum engine conditions to minimize stack emissions.

* Keep away from seals on icebergs and move slowly to avoid wake disturbance.

* Schedule arrivals and destinations to avoid crowding.

At that meeting we began to understand some of the operating limitations the industry faces, while industry representatives learned of our concerns and provided feedback. They asked us to further develop guidelines for the program and to include small and mid-sized tour operators in the discussion.

In February 2008, the Forest Service hosted a much larger Seattle meeting of interested tour company representatives that also included the smaller vessel owners. This meeting was a work session, facilitated by Ed Grossman, John Neary, Tim Lydon, and Pete Griffin. Forest Service interest was in getting tour operators to agree on possible actions to help:

* Preserve quiet

* Curtail flightseeing tours

* Maintain clean air

* Protect wildlife

* Preserve solitude

The discussions were heartfelt. Those on opposite sides of issues were not only attentive and respectful, but willing to offer solutions as well. We wrote up the draft agreement and circulated it among the parties for comments. After a few tweaks, the result was a set of Wilderness Best Management Practices for vessel operations within Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. We intend to meet annually to discuss how well the parties are adhering to the principles and to fine tune the agreement.

In the beginning there was some skepticism that all the interested parties could work together, but we found that having no authority doesn't necessarily mean we are powerless to help protect the wilderness qualities the public expects when they visit Alaska.

By Eleanor Oman & Rodney Dell'Andrea

There is a new bridge on the Trail of Time, near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on the Juneau Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, Juneau, Alaska. The old trail bridge at the beginning of the trail had been damaged by floods and snow and repaired and rebuilt over the years.

Bridge inspectors finally recommended replacement of the bridge rather than making additional repairs. Landscape architects and engineers worked together to relocate the trail upstream where they found a perfect bridge site-bedrock on both sides of the stream with a crystal clear pool of water under the bridge. The new trail approach to the bridge is along a rock ledge, up out of the boggy stream bottom. The new bridge is single span, 24 feet long, on solid sills, and has nice views of Steep Creek.

This is a great improvement over the old bridge, which was 80 feet long in two spans, with the mid span support in the middle of the stream and the end supports in and out of the stream as the stream changed course.

The new bridge is an Alaska Region standard design, referred to as a nail-laminated slab bridge. This design was chosen because it is built entirely of dimensional sawn lumber in sizes that a local mill can produce. The bridge is unique because the deck is also the load bearing member of the bridge-there are no stringers.

The deck is built from 2"x12" boards nailed together in groups of eight to create a "beam" that is 12" wide by 12" deep. A total of five "beams" are assembled and all five are tied together with 5/8 inch diameter steel rods to make a five foot wide bridge. Nuts at the ends of the rods are tightened to squeeze the "beams" together, allowing them to work together to provide the bridge its strength.

Alaska Yellow Cedar was chosen for the wood because it is naturally durable, which means it does not need chemical treatment to keep it from deteriorating in Southeast Alaska's moist climate. The design also took advantage of strength values for Alaska Yellow Cedar developed by the Ketchikan Wood Technology Center and published in the National Design Standard in 2005.

These strength values place Alaska Yellow Cedar closer to Douglas fir at the high end of the chart, rather than with Western Cedars at the low end. The wood was obtained from D & L Woodworks in Hoonah, a local mill owned and operated by the Fanning family.

At one time, Blackwell student Darren Lenore had given up on himself. The youngest of six siblings, Darren experienced the unexpected death of his mother at a very young age. The impact of this led Darren down the wrong path. He found himself making poor choices, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and eventually dropped out of a Detroit high school. "I was doing things I wasn't proud of," he said.

Things started to change for him after he saw a TV commercial about Job Corps. About a month after applying for a Job Corps scholarship, he arrived at the Blackwell Job Corps CCC on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF in Wisconsin. Over the past 11 months, he has earned a High School Equivalency Diploma and will graduate from the Business Technologies trade in another two months. His future plans are to transfer to the Hubert Humphrey Job Corps in Minnesota for advanced training in the Transportation Communications Program.

Darren's life lessons at Blackwell go well beyond vocational and educational gains. Early on, staff at the Center recognized his ability to be a leader, mentor, and role model for other students at the Center. He started working as a Dorm Leader, and eventually became a Dorm President. These roles taught him how to work with a diverse group of people, and provide guidance and discipline in a team-like atmosphere. Currently, Darren is the President of the Blackwell's Student Government Association (SGA), where he was elected by a landslide of votes from his fellow students.

Darren would like to eventually return to Blackwell or another Forest Service Job Corps Center as a Residential Advisor (RA) in the dormitories. Tom Morgan, Residential Living Supervisor couldn't be more pleased. "This is the best student I've seen pass through our doors in my 15 years at Blackwell. Darren has been highly successful as the SGA president. He would make an excellent RA, and I would be very happy to see him return to Blackwell in that capacity once he finishes his advanced training."

As the SGA President, Darren has led the recent student "Green Team" at the Center, and is taking a hard look at ways to conserve energy, reduce waste, and recycle, particularly in the four dormitories at Blackwell.

Darren also has a real passion about helping others in the community. He has been very involved with volunteer activities, and would like to see the students become more involved with helping others in the area. "I learned about helping others from my mother. I think it's important for students to experience this here so they continue volunteering in their own home towns once they've left Blackwell."

His mother would be proud. Very proud.

ABOUT BLACKWELL

Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National forest between Laona and Wabeno in Forest County. Blackwell offers federal scholarships for young adults under the age of 25. In addition to diversity training, students at Blackwell receive academic training that leads to completion of an HSED or High School Diploma as well as vocational training in Welding, Union Bricklaying and Tile Setting, Union Carpentry, Union Construction Craft Laborer, Union Painting, Health Occupations (CNA), Business Technologies, and Electrician Training. For information on Blackwell JCCCC or to arrange a tour, please call Penny McLaughlin at (715) 674-7654. To fill out a free application for a Blackwell scholarship, please call Joe Kovach at 920-435-1543.

With the increased emphasis on renewable forms of energy nationally and in Minnesota, the Chippewa National Forest conducted a workshop for its employees on biomass. The session was designed to raise awareness of its employees and start a dialog on how the forest can produce biomass for the public.

The day started with a presentation on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council's (MFRC)guidelines for biomass harvesting. MFRC's guidelines serve as the states best management practices and are the first such guidelines in the nation. Dick Rossman, a Minnesota Department of National Resources employee and head of the team that developed the guidelines led the discussion. Forest Soil Scientist, Jim Barott then gave a presentation on areas in the Forest Plan that dealt with things to be aware of when considering biomass harvesting, such as retaining slash on certain soil types and maintaining species diversity.

The participants then went to the field. The sites visited consisted of one where the slash was piled and burned, a site where slash was left on site, and a site that had a broadcast burn. The first two sites were designed to show a possible before and after biomass harvest. The discussion centered on the pro and cons biomass harvesting including site impacts, how different harvesting prescriptions could aid in biomass harvesting and how the districts were documenting and providing biomass opportunities to purchasers. The last site was chosen to facilitate a discussion on where biomass harvesting could help with fuels reduction and where fire was still the best tool. There also a discussion on the differences between the amount of material needed to be left on site to meet the MFRC guidelines and whether that would that would meet fuel reduction guidelines.

At the last site the group was joined by Carl Bleiler, a local logger who also has a biomass grinder. Carl gave a good presentation on biomass harvesting from a producers perspective. He talked about the site conditions he looks for in a sale that would be necessary for economical biomass removal. These included the amount of material available, condition of the access road and proximity of the logging site to the delivery point. Carl has been running the grinder for about 15 months and he also spoke to the learning curve his crew went through to be most efficient in the production and some the challenges they overcame in developing his operation.

This summer a transformation begins at the Chippewa National Forest's Marcell Ranger District. The district office will remodeled and become the "Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center", thanks to the diligent work of a partnership involving the USDA Forest Service, MN Highway 38 Leadership Board, Northern Itasca Joint Powers Board and The Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Association. Funding for the project has come from Federal Highway Project Funds and Scenic Byway Grants, the Blandin Association and Itasca County.

The center is located off of Highway 38, in Marcell, Minnesota. Highway 38 earned national status as one of the first 20 National Scenic Byways and is now called the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. The office will be remodeled turning it into a destination point for tourists, locals, scenic byway visitors, local school children and other clubs and organizations. Activities at the "Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center" will focus on natural resource education, interpretation and customer service. Seasonal staff and volunteers will help run the center through a unique partnership that share in the management and maintenance responsibilities.

The partners anticipate the center will bring more tourists and visitors to the Edge of the Wilderness area, as well as enrich the local economy. The center will offer services to outdoor enthusiasts and visitors to increase their appreciation of the lands, waters and history of the Edge of the Wilderness region and National Scenic Byway. It compliments the Chippewa Adventure Tour, Laurentian Divide Wayside Rest, the Edge of the Wilderness Natural Scenic Byway Discovery Tour, and other area opportunities and attractions.

Future plans are to build a fishing pier and an amphitheater on Ranier Lake that is adjacent to the new center. Another special feature will be interpretive tours of the historic Civilian Conservation Corp structures on the property behind the center.

The project is becoming a reality because of a strong partnership that has been committed to the mission and the goals of the center.

"Wow, these beetles are big" exclaimed a volunteer and with that Forest Service personnel and partners from the Ohio State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Dept of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, The Wilds and the St. Louis Zoo placed 228 pairs of federally endangered American burying beetles (ABB), Nicrophorus americanus, on the Athens Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest.

This 1 to 1.5 inch red and black carrion feeder experienced a serious population decline after the 1920's. It has collapsed to less than 10% of its historic range. American burying beetles (ABB), Nicrophorus americanus, were listed as a federal endangered species on July 13, 1989- the first insect species to be so recognized.

Reintroduction efforts first began in 1998 by the State of Ohio on a wildlife area that bordered the Wayne National Forest. Since that time forest service biologist, Lynda Andrews and Hocking College intern Kelly Harness, identified potential reintroduction sites on the District based on soil and understory conditions. Surveys were conducted for two years prior to the placement of the beetles at two selected areas to determine that the habitat was currently unoccupied by the ABB and an environmental analysis was conducted which led to the project finally coming to fruition on June 25, 2008.

Male and female beetles were placed in excavated holes with a quail carcass. They were covered with a plastic plant pot and then secured with kennel fencing. Twelve days later biologists returned to the area and found that reproduction had taken place and larvae were thriving on several quail carcasses. Biologists will return in mid to late August to set non-lethal pitfall traps, baited with rotten chicken wings and hot sauce (to discourage predators) in an attempt to document newly emerged young and again next spring to document over-wintering success. The greatest impediment to past reintroduction efforts is the failure to recapture ABB's after winter.

"The ABB isn't a species that you consider cute and fuzzy but they are fascinating creatures and were once a part of the diverse historic fauna found in the Buckeye state." said Andrews. "It is wonderful to actively participate in the recovery of this endangered species. This partnership effort has been tremendous".

Kids Fishing Day is always a favorite outing for youngsters in the St. Ignace, MI, area, and this year was no exception! About 210 young anglers traveled to the Hiawatha's Castle Rock ponds to enjoy Kids Fishing Day activities including fishing from the holding tank, fishing from the ponds, and other activities. Raffles and refreshments added to the fun.

"We especially appreciate our sponsors," noted Lyn Hyslop, Acting Assistant Ranger for Recreation. "Their enthusiastic support is what makes the event so successful."

This year's list of sponsors includes the Straits Area Sportsman's Club, Chairman of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, MSU 4H Youth Program, and St. Ignace Kiwanis Club.

"In addition to a gift packet including Smokey Bear materials, a bobber, hooks, and a raffle ticket," adds Hyslop, "many children received one of the 193 donated prizes that were given out."

With so many children in attendance, the event was definitely a success, helping us in our ongoing effort to get kids into the woods!

If you've paid a visit to the Lakewood Ranger District office lately, it's likely you've been greeted by Holly Moore, who is working for the Forest Service as a full-time Information Receptionist. She was hired under the Student Temporary Employment Program. She is also a student at the Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, where she enrolled in the Business Technology training program.

"It's a pleasure to have Holly here," said Dale Harrison, her supervisor, "She's a smart young woman, a quick learner, and is pleasant and respectful to the many visitors who stop in or call the District office."

Holly came to Blackwell approximately one year ago. She was familiar with Job Corps and was looking to enhance her skills and become more employable, so she first called the Job Corps Hot Line (800-733-JOBS) and indicated an interest in attending a Job Corps Center in her home state of Wisconsin. She had been living in Milwaukee, and was also a student at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena, WI.

After meeting with a recruiter and supplying qualifying information such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, she was accepted into the program at Blackwell.

"Coming to Blackwell was an excellent way for me to learn structure and discipline and get away from the city and its distractions. I appreciate the opportunity I've been given to be a student at Job Corps because it has opened new and exciting doors for my future," she said.

According to Center Director Jay Lowe, "Holly is an exemplary example of a student who has truly benefited from all that the Job Corps program has to offer young men and women."

At Blackwell, Holly belongs to the Intergroup Relations Committee, helping to organize events for the Center such as a Veteran's Day recognition ceremony. She also volunteers for "Make a Difference Day" that included arts and crafts projects with local schools and daycare centers, and raking yards for elderly and disabled citizens. She enjoys reading, playing dominoes, bike riding, and participating in pool tournaments at the Center.

"We will continue building our partnership and connections with the Forest Service as we give students the opportunity to develop skills that are a good fit for the agency," Lowe said. "Holly's appointment to a position at the Lakewood office is a great start."

ABOUT BLACKWELL

Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National forest between Laona and Wabeno in Forest County. Blackwell offers federal scholarships for young adults under the age of 25. In addition to diversity training, students at Blackwell receive academic training that leads to completion of an HSED or High School Diploma as well as vocational training in Welding, Union Bricklaying and Tile Setting, Union Carpentry, Union Construction Craft Laborer, Union Painting, Health Occupations (CNA), Business Technologies, and Electrician Training. For information on Blackwell JCCCC or to arrange a tour, please call Penny McLaughlin at (715) 674-7654. To fill out a free application for a Blackwell scholarship, please call Joe Kovach at 920-435-1543.

The White Mountain National Forest Heritage Resources Program and the Swift Water Girl Scout Council conducted their ninth annual field school in historical archaeology from July 13 to July 16, 2008, as part of the "Linking Girls to the Land" partnership between the Girl Scouts of the USA and federal natural resource agencies.

Eight Girl Scouts were part of the "Dig the Past" program, and spent four days conducting archaeological test excavations at the Brickett Place in Stow, Maine. An additional eleven Girl Scouts in the "Challenge and Change" leadership training program participated in the field school on July 15. The Girl Scouts were between the ages of 11 and 17, and came from New Hampshire and Vermont.

The goal of the "Linking Girls to the Land" program is for girls to become involved in conservation and natural resource issues on a national and local level through environmental education, volunteer service, outdoor skills development, and career exploration.

The Brickett Place is a brick farm house built around 1830 by John Brickett. The purpose of the 2008 excavation was to determine the extent and condition of the archaeological remains near the foundation of the house in advance of foundation stabilization work, while introducing the Girl Scouts to archaeological excavation and recording techniques. This year's excavation located trash deposits which contained household artifacts such as fragments of ceramic dishes and glass bottles, and architectural materials such as brick, nails, and window glass.

An 1864 Indian Head penny was recovered from the front yard. All the artifacts from the site will be analyzed and curated by White Mountain National Forest archaeologists in partnership with Plymouth State University, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.

(Contributed by Mark Theisen, Forest Silviculturist, 715-362-1346)

Photo 1: A Spruce Decline area in the Forest

Photo 2: Black-backed woodpecker in a small reserve area

Between 2003 and 2004, employees on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest noticed that some white spruce plantations were looking unhealthy. Upon further investigation, it was determined that thousands of acres of white spruce on the Forest had substantial mortality or had very poor crown conditions. During the summer of 2004, field visits with forest health specialists from the State and Private branch of the Forest Service and from the University of Wisconsin, along with collaboration with State, County, Town and Tribal governments, confirmed we were dealing with an epidemic. The epidemic was called Spruce Decline which is caused by a combination of drought, insects and disease. The dead and dying spruce created a loss of habitat for Regional Forester Sensitive Species spruce grouse, a loss of productive forestland, and a huge hazardous fuel build-up. It also provided an opportunity to salvage a large volume of merchantable product.

In order to commercially salvage the spruce, the Forest needed to complete NEPA analysis and issue a decision in short order as they was deteriorating rapidly. These circumstances were ripe to test a new tool in the NEPA toolbox. Passed in December, 2003, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) provided the opportunity to expedite the salvage of this dead and dying resource. As the District staffs continued to do a rapid health assessment of their white spruce plantations, the Forest formed a NEPA team with the assignment of completing the analysis as quickly as possible, using the new HFRA authority.

Within 6 months, the Forest had gathered the site conditions on four districts, completed the analysis and signed the 2004 Spruce Decline decision. The decision called for approximately 4,500 acres of immediate salvage. However, the decision also called for over 3,100 acres of unhealthy spruce to be monitored. This adaptive decision allowed these monitored acres to be treated if they met damage thresholds established in the decision. This proved very useful as nearly all of the monitored acres did eventually meet the damage thresholds and were treated. Within the next year, another EA (Spruce Decline II) and decision was produced which called for another 1,500 acres of immediate treatment and another 5,700 acres of monitoring. We will continue to monitor these acres. In total, nearly one half of the white spruce acres on the Forest have been impacted. The Spruce Decline epidemic has slowed down as we have not had to treat all of monitored acres from the second EA.

The black-backed woodpecker, another Regional Forester Sensitive Species, actually benefits from these types of disturbances. They feed and nest in dead and dying conifer. The two decisions took this into account and left over 2,000 acres of dying spruce standing. This provided excellent habitat for the black-backed woodpeckers and other species dependent on dead and dying material. In addition to these un-salvaged stands, small reserve areas were left within stands that received treatment. These reserve areas also proved to be beneficial to black-backed woodpeckers.

As a result of the treatment, hazardous fuels have been reduced on approximately 11,000 acres. Of these, 3,500 were located in wildland urban interface areas. Spruce grouse habitat has been or will be restored on more than 1,700 acres. Healthy forest conditions have been restored on 11,000 acres. The commercial salvage operation generated approximately 120 million board feet of timber.

While the situation was something the Forest would have preferred to avoid, the Forest is proud of the lemonade it produced from the lemons it was handed.

For 23 years it's been a crowd pleaser. We adjust the lineup a bit to offer some variety but this years 25 hikes and activities all were well attended including the three on the Hoosier National Forest. The Wild Hyacinth Hike, led by Botanist Kirk Larson and Public Affairs Specialist Teena Ligman, is restricted to 20 people (10/group) since it's within the Wilderness boundary near Mitchell Cemetery and that particular hike maxes out every year. The hyacinths weren't quite in bloom this year this year since spring seemed to have been delayed by the rains and cooler temperature but the group saw other flowers which we rarely see on the hikes.

Teena was honored to have the well known Kay Yatskievych, author of the Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers attend her Waldrip Cabin Hike this year. This hike combines a historical hike to the old Waldrip Cabin site and a discussion of the old house sites and fields with wildflowers.

In addition to the Wild Hyacinth and Waldrip Cabin Hikes, volunteer naturalist Cathy Meyer leads a group on the Pate Hollow Trail to look at spring wildflowers and Forest Interpreter Stacy Duke assisted IDNR Biologist Rex Waters with a boat tour of the backwaters of Lake Monroe and looking riparian areas and wildflowers along the lakeshore. As part of each of the hikes, an inventory checklist is completed of all of the flowering plants the groups find which is kept as a monitoring tool.

The opening paragraph says it all. In the first lines of the newly created Monongahela National Forest Sustainability Action Plan, Forest Supervisor Clyde Thompson describes the importance of reducing environmental impacts.

"In this time of climate change and anemic budgets, we all must do what we can to reduce our environmental footprint, lower energy costs, and be conservation leaders."

Thompson then goes on to challenge the Forest units to reduce energy use by 5 percent a year over the next three years.

Making a difference on a problem as vast as global warming is a pretty daunting task, and all too many people question whether they cannot do anything of significance. By creating the sustainability action plan (SAP) it is hoped that employees will be able to employ small steps that cumulatively CAN make a difference, both at work and at home.

Thompson noted two areas in which he is particularly interested: 1) the Forest's ability to lower energy consumption and carbon emissions through better use of conference calls, car-pooling, and other means; and 2) the ability to provide opportunities for local participation in our projects, purchases, and management needs.

The latter goal provides opportunities to help stimulate local economies, while requiring less energy use and transportation costs for projects related to the National Forest.

The MNF environmental footprint team is a loosely organized group of interested employees led by Ecosystems group leader Jack Tribble. Regular conference calls are held and e-mails exchanged as team members share information and develop materials. The sustainability action plan is the first result of the team's efforts.

Forest planner David Ede took on the task of organizing the team's ideas into an easy to use document that can be readily updated. Some suggestions are simple, time-tested ideas such as installing heat-conserving blankets around hot water heaters. Other ideas, while also simple to incorporate, are less obvious, such as installing timers in vending machine outlets.

While the document includes the legal mandates under which the Monongahela is required to implement sustainable measures, it mostly focuses on seven key areas of conservation. For each area common sense guidance and recommendations are listed to make it easy for employees to actually see how they can be a part of the effort.

The seven areas are: energy use; fleet and fuel efficiency; water conservation; recycling and waste reduction; green purchasing; sustainability leadership; and a unique one - the Monongahela Internal Footprint Grant Program.

The internal footprint grant program was created with the idea of rewarding progress made towards the other goals in the plan. Details of actual implementation are still being worked out, but the concept is to create baseline information on energy use, then compare actual annual use. Using a portion of the hard money saved plus returns from recycling, a pool of money would be created to use for internal "green grants."

Examples of ideas that such funds could be used for include could replacement of older, less energy-efficient equipment with ENERGY STAR items; replacement of inefficient windows with double-paned ones, including reflective E-rated glazing on southern exposures; installation of solar panels; and/or vehicle conversions to electric hybrids.

The new action plan was shared with all employees in an e-mail from Supervisor Thompson, and will be updated and maintained by the footprint team. The document can be accessed via the MNF intranet and intranet sites, under the planning pages. The team placed the document in both places in the hope that many eyes reading it will not only mean many people using the recommendations but that others will be stimulated to offer suggestions for additions and improvements.

By Deidra McGee, Office of Communication and Leah Anderson, Region 9

On June 23-27, the Boy Scouts of America's National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow, in partnership with the James River and Warm Springs Ranger Districts of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (GW Jeff) in Virginia, conducted one of the five biggest service projects on national forests since the Civilian Conservation Corps

Approximately 685 members of the Order of the Arrow successfully completed the construction of six walk-in campsites at Lake Moomaw and over 8.2 miles of new trails on the James River District. These projects will significantly and positively affect the ability of the public to enjoy the areas the Arrowmen worked on, said Forest Supervisor Maureen Hyzer.

Representing 93 local councils (from over 25 states, Puerto Rico and individuals from the Transatlantic Council in Europe) the Arrowmen provided over 71,300 hours of service worth more than $1.3 million.

According to Hyzer, a legacy was left through this project which will benefit future visitors to the National Forests as well as the sense of accomplishment each of the participants gained through their service and leadership.

Earlier, from June 7-14, the Boy Scout National Conservation Project was completed on the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District on the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This was the largest volunteer project ever on the Forest.

Glade natural community types are in decline in Missouri due to a number of factors, including encroaching Eastern red cedar, invasive exotic species, overgrazing, fire suppression, and commercial and residential development.

Removing the cedars is an important step to restoring the glades. More than 500 participants removed Eastern red cedar to help restore native limestone glade ecosystems on an estimated 134 acres in the Glade Top trail area of Taney County in southwest Missouri. The estimated value of the volunteer work was over $542,000.

"We really appreciate the help of the Arrowmen and our partners at Mingo Job Corps," said Ava District Ranger Jenny Farenbaugh. "This project is proof of how much can be accomplished working together as partners."

Farenbaugh, Timber Management Assistant Darla Rein, Wilderness Ranger Kale Horton and Forest Staff Officer Kris Swanson were instrumental working on the project first proposed to the Boy Scouts in 2004. Employees on the Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs Ranger District were heavily involved in the onsite project pre-work, prep, and layout as well as other Mark Twain employees brought in to serve on the team during the event.

"We appreciate the support of local merchants and businesses including Branson, Springfield, Rogersville, Mansfield, Norwood, Seymour, and Ava," Farenbaugh said. "Taney County Commissioners and Taney County Road Commissioners and road crews played a very significant role improving the Bateman Road into the project site area."

Now that the cedars have been cut, the area will be treated sometime in the future with prescribed burning to help control the Eastern red cedar and increase species diversity

The Mark Twain in Missouri and the Manti-La Sal in Utah were the first two forests involved with the project. The GW Jeff was the third forest and in mid-to-late July the Shasta-Trinity (Calif.) and Bridger-Teton (Wyo.) will be the last two forests to take part in the project.

Story submitted by Janet Ekstrum, Wildlife Biologist.

The Monarch Conservation Techniques workshop was held on the Hiawatha National Forest June 3-5, 2008. This workshop, sponsored by the International Programs division of the Forest Service, was led by Forest Service biologist Janet Ekstrum and Forest Service plant ecologist Deb LeBlanc. The three-day workshop taught monarch larva monitoring and butterfly tagging techniques, native plant propagation and site restoration. The Hiawatha National Forest was chosen to host this workshop due to their nationally recognized monarch research project on the Stonington Peninsula and their native seed program and greenhouse in Marquette.

Twenty-five attendees included Forest Service personnel from the Wayne National Forest, Hoosier National Forest, Midewin Tallgrass Prairie, Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forests, Ouachita National Forest, National Park Service, Michigan State University Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy, Marquette and Schoolcraft County Conservation Districts, Michigan DNR, and educators from Houston Wilderness, El Valor, Monarch Sister School Program and The Cedar Tree Institute.

Presentations included the biology of monarch butterflies, presentation of the recently prepared Monarch Monitoring Handbook, the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, threats to pollinators and reasons for their decline, the upcoming Monarch Live webcast, restoration projects on the Midewin, local restoration projects, Monarch Butterfly Partnership with El Valor, Midewin Tallgrass Prairie, International Programs and Alternare, how-to-create a backyard greenhouse, plant propagation, how-to-create a native garden, how-to incorporate pollinators in your program of work and Monarchs in the Classroom.

Both classroom instruction and hands-on activities were a part of the workshop. The field visits included conducting larva monitoring at the Peninsula Point Larva Monitoring Program site where Dr. Karen Oberhauser demonstrated how to collect larva monitoring data. Groups then collected monitoring data along transects. A native plant restoration project followed the monitoring in the same location. Young milkweed, black-eyed susans and coreopsis that were propagated at the Forest Service greenhouse at the Marquette Interagency Conservation Center were planted. These plants will help provide a late season nectar source for monarchs and other pollinators in an area where St. John's wort, a non-native invasive is beginning to reduce the amount of native flowering plant

Visits were also made to Tressel Park Native Plant Garden Establishment project in downtown Marquette, the native plant garden at Northern Michigan University, the native plant garden at the Munising Forest Service office, and to the Hiawatha National Forest greenhouse at the Marquette Interagency Conservation Center and greenhouse at Northern Michigan University.

Presentations were given by Dr. Karen Oberhauser University of Minnesota, Dr. Ron Sundell of Northern Michigan University, Sue Rabitaille of Borealis Seed Company, Jennifer Durkin and Mike Rizzo of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Jim Chu International Programs Washington Office Forest Service, Pat Landry, volunteer with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Program, Gina Badgett, volunteer with Monarch Watch and the Monarch Migration Association of North American, Angie Lucas, greenhouse manager, Dan McConnell, seasonal Forest Service botanist and Forest Service workshop leaders LeBlanc and Ekstrum.

On June 26, a memorial WWII Interpretive panel was dedicated at the White Mountain National Forest, Beaver Brook Trailhead parking lot along Route 112 in Kinsman Notch. This project was the result of a partnership between the Kantner Foundation, the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society in Lincoln, NH, and the White Mountain National Forest.

During a blizzard on the night of January 14, 1942, a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Army Air Corps B-18A light bomber returning from hunting enemy submarines in the North Atlantic went off course and crashed into the south side of Mount Waternomee in the White Mountain National Forest. Co-pilot Woodrow Kantner, heroically directed the plane to lessen the impact of the crash, and his efforts saved the lives of five of the seven crew members. A rescue party from the towns of Lincoln and North Woodstock worked through the night to rescue the surviving crew members. It is an amazing account that has become part of the story of the north country of New Hampshire.

Several years ago Mr. Woodrow Kantner of Stuart, FL, contacted the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society and White Mountain National Forest with a proposal to commemorate the crash site. He wanted to honor his fellow crew members who survived the crash, as well as those who died. The crash site is in very rugged country with no trail to the site. The goal of the project was to preserve what remains at the site in honor of the crew. The interpretive panel, which tells the story, was located away from the site in the hope that this hallowed ground will remain intact for future generations. Visitors to the site are asked to tread lightly and leave things the way they find them.

The content, design and layout of the interpretive panel and its message was accomplished using a collaboration of the talents of Dick Dow, Clare Long, Karl Roenke, Sarah Jordan, and Alexis Jackson from the White Mountain National Forest. Review and photographs were provided by Rick Russack of the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society. The Pemigewasset Ranger District fabricated the panel's stand and frame and performed the site work for the panel installation.

Through this cooperative effort, the site will remain an important WWII site in New Hampshire. Additional information, photos, and artifacts can be found at the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society in Lincoln, NH.

Hurricane Hugo leveled more than 30,000 acres of the Francis Marion National Forest in 1989. Now, nearly 20 years later, an unanticipated benefit of the storm has emerged for the forest, for the state of South Carolina and potentially for the entire country.

Francis Marion and Sumter (FMS) Timber Sales Forester Jon Dent's practical solution to a daunting surge of vegetative regeneration after Hugo may ultimately help fuel a national movement toward the conversion of forest brush, slash and debris into natural energy sources.

Dog Hair Thicket

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the responsibility fell to Dent to develop a solution to a growing problem -literally a 'growing' problem. Hugo's sustained 130 mile per hour winds flattened about a third of the forest with damage lessening proportionally as the distance from the eye increased. In the hardest hit areas, only some cypress trees and a few hardwoods remained standing.

"For the first 10 years or so after the storm, we had nothing to do but sit and watch things grow," Dent explained. "It was all growing back at once, lots of pine but also lots of hardwood and heavy brush like wax myrtle."

The potential for catastrophic fire soared with such dense growth, exacerbated by the fact that pine needles cast by the young trees hung suspended in the underbrush, providing light fuels to carry fire rapidly from the ground to the canopy.

"Before Hugo, when young stands of pine in that area got up to a merchantable pulpwood size of five to ten inches in diameter, we'd come in for our regular first thinning," Dent said. "Typically we were able to thin about 7,800 acres of timber annually. Imagine 30,000-40,000 acres of that all coming up at once; it's a daunting predicament."

Also facing a new Hugo-related threat were the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker populations in the area, a species that makes its home in cavities in the boles of trees. Already depleted by nearly half when Hugo knocked down or snapped many of the birds' nest trees, the population now faced a heightened threat from predators as the developing understory of young trees reaching about 20 feet provided easy access to the nests.

"The birds won't live in a situation like that," Dent explained. "They'll simply move out."

Prescribed burning was out of the question to combat the problem because of smoke and the resulting visibility issue on roadways. In any case, the emerging buds of young Loblolly Pines in stands of trees less than about 15-20 feet could not withstand the impact of fire.

"So that meant the only option was to go in and mow the understory down with masticators," Dent explained. "Our idea was just to start in along the major highways and in places we knew to have a high potential for wildfire around communities or travel ways, and also in Red-Cockaded Woodpecker communities."

Meanwhile, the Santee Cooper electric utility was facing its own hurricane-induced mess with the emergence of whole floating trees from the lake bed of Lake Moultrie, the result of violent wave action on standing timber that had simply been submerged rather than cut when the lake was created. The churning waters created by the hurricane had uprooted the trees and littered them on the shoreline.

Plant managers at the Jefferies Generating Station near Moncks Corner, SC, hatched the idea to grind up the timber and burn it in their coal furnaces.

"They figured they could consume it that way as well as get a little bit of power out of it. So that's exactly what they did. Ultimately they discovered they could reduce their coal expenses by using a mix of 90% coal and 10% wood," Dent said.

A Natural Solution

So it was a perfectly reasonable that all these years later Santee Cooper would alert to the sudden potential availability of volumes of biomass, and they expressed an interest in buying the chipped material. Smaller companies in the wood industry took note of the potential market too, and began laying plans to provide a service grinding the debris and hauling it to the power company.

"That dovetailed nicely with stewardship," Dent said. "The program allows you to sell a product and buy a service all in the same contract. What we were selling, of course, was the chips, but we were buying the act of thinning; we hired them to thin the stand the way we needed it thinned. They used conventional logging equipment and thinned similarly to the way they would a pulpwood stand. They'd leave the dominant, best trees, then collect the rest and feed it into a chipper - all of it, the needles, branches, twigs and bark. Then they'd haul it to the mill to generate operating power."

That successful practice continues, generating more interest as enterprising loggers and equipment operators take note of its success.

What's next?

An increasing interest in the biomass program seems inevitable given the national spike in fuel costs, the impact of climate change on drought patterns and the potential for catastrophic weather events such as the broad inland reach of hurricanes like Hugo and Andrew. Dent sees the potential for widespread interest.

"There's always been a potential economic breaking point based on the price of a barrel of oil," he said. "They used to toss around the $80/barrel figure, after which they thought it'd be worthwhile to start using biomass other than just for energy. It'd make it economical to produce what they call green diesel and other kinds of fuel that you can burn in vehicles."

Local contractors haven't created anything on a large scale yet, Dent said, but in addition to working on a chip fuel contract for the paper companies, he's working on another contract to develop a process called torrefaction. A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and researchers from NC State associated with the process are working to find a way to make this process feasible on a large scale.

In essence, the process heats wood chips at a low temperature, driving off gases and water. The gases, in turn, are recaptured to continue the heating process.

"The end product is the chip, basically intact, but free of moisture so it comes out as sort of a charcoal substance still retaining nearly its original btu content," Dent explained. "Just like coal, it can be ground into a fine powder and burned in the ignition chambers in the plants. It's cheaper to use because of the haul costs. If you can get local wood to fuel a plant you don't have to ship coal from West Virginia down here. It's just a small thing right now, but it's an example of the kind of possibilities you can get into when you look into using biomass."

Despite the 10 billion dollars in damage caused by its winds in 1989, Hugo may now be contributing to infrastructure in the very areas it once devastated through the conversion to energy of the debris it left in its wake.

Dent remains humble concerning his role in all this, and is quick to point out the contribution of ideas from individuals at the regional and district levels and from the contractors themselves. Though his accomplishments in the biomass program and local stewardship recently earned him a national award as Stewardship Contracting Champion of the Year, Dent downplays his achievement.

"We just had to figure out how to get a mess cleaned up," he said, "and the chain of events naturally led us this way. When you work out on the forest, there are endless possibilities to improve things."

On April 30th, 2008 the Hoosier National Forest provided an all expense paid fieldtrip for local 5th and 6th graders, through a new outdoor program called Kids Unplugged. Kids Unplugged is a program initiated in 2008 that targets underserved, urban schools within the Hoosier's largest communities-Bedford and Bloomington. A total of 132 students, six teachers and numerous parent chaperones were bussed out to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area for a day of hands-on outdoor learning sessions.

Ten stations ranging from campfire cooking to outdoor games were offered, with each student participating in four of the stations. "My favorite station was the reptile one because we got to touch a snake. I never thought I would ever touch one but I did!" a student commented in a thank you letter to the Hoosier. In addition to free transportation, each participant received lunch and a backpack full of supplies to take home to help interest them in getting outside once the fieldtrip was over.

Teachers were pleased with the "well educated staff and the highly motivated students throughout the day." Feedback and evaluation was very positive and also useful in measuring the value of this program. The Kids Unplugged program was initiated in response to the Forest Services' initiative to get more kids outside.

In addition to the field trip during the school day for the two schools, free transportation was also offered from each school to two other Forest events - International Migratory Bird Day and the Hoosier Fishing Derby to encourage the kids and their families to attend each of these events as well. Kids from both schools with their families attended each of these events as well.

Several partners contributed to the program in various ways, in addition to Hoosier staff. Six of the ten sessions were lead by other agencies; Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Monroe County YMCA, Monroe County Parks & Recreation, The Adventure Center, and Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge. Others participated through donations; Wal-Mart, Indiana University Outdoor Adventures and Camp Maumee Boy Scout Camp.

Two pollinator gardens were planted in front of the Conifers Conference Building to improve pollinator habitat on an administrative site on the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District.

This project was widely supported by the District and 18 people from the timber, recreation, wildlife, fisheries, botany, administration, and fire programs assisted with preparing the flower beds, planting native grasses and wildflowers, and maintaining the gardens during the summer of 2008. Funding was provided through the Eastern Region Administrative Site Pollinator and Native Plant Garden Project.

The pollinator gardens will also be used for educational opportunities and will eventually be part of a walking trail through the grounds. Two signs will be posted at the site in spring 2009 to describe pollinator friendly practices and the benefits of native plants. Other signs and brochures are in the process of being developed to extol the value of using native plants for landscaping, the importance of pollinators, and the impact that non-native invasive plants have on ecosystems.

The pollinator gardens are part of a larger on-going project that is taking place at Chittenden, a historical tree nursery that has been uncultivated since the early 1970s. Since the fields have been taken out of production, they have been invaded by non-native invasive plants, such as spotted knapweed, hoary alyssum, smooth brome grass, common St. John's-wort, and others. Several of the nursery beds are being converted to fields of native grasses and wildflowers, not only to provide pollinator habitat, but also to produce seeds for restoring pollinator habitat in other areas of the Manistee National Forest.

Converting the fields to native species also addresses the Forest goal of reducing the presence of non-native invasive plants on administrative sites.

Submitted by Scott Posner (715-373-2667, ext. 240) and Dan Eklund (715-762-5194)

On July 2, 2008, the US Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed an observation of the Kirtland's Warbler on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) in Bayfield County, WI. "The presence of the Kirtland's Warbler is rewarding news for us. We have been planning for and working towards this outcome through our habitat management efforts. The goals in our Land and Resource Management Plan and the needs of the Kirtland's Warbler fit well together." said Jeanne Higgins, Forest Supervisor.

The Kirtland's Warbler, a Federally Endangered Species since 1967, was observed by a bird surveyor working under contract for the Forest. "The sighting of this bird and responses from a second bird are suggestive of breeding activity," said Linda Parker, CNNF Ecologist, who oversees the neotropical migrant bird program. In Wisconsin, there is only one other location known to have nesting Kirtland's Warblers. Dan Eklund, CNNF Wildlife Biologist, added, "This is a location where we will be sure to concentrate survey efforts next year."

Cooperative management efforts have restored the Kirtland's Warbler throughout much of its historic nesting range in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The presence of a healthy and expanding core population in this area has resulted in the dispersal and appearance of the birds in the Upper Peninsula, Canada and Wisconsin. On the CNNF, large blocks of jack pine (the Warbler's preferred habitat) began dying in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to insects and storm damage. During this period, these blocks were harvested and naturally regenerated. Today, the CNNF has many acres of young jack pine, less than 20 year old, which offer high quality habitat for the Warbler.

"The observation of the Kirtland's Warbler on the Forest is significant in that it is considered one of the rarest North American birds. We look forward to working cooperatively with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and other partners in recovery efforts that will continue to bring this bird back to Wisconsin," said Higgins.

In order to protect the species from disturbance, the US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are not disclosing the Kirtland's precise location. Attempting to find, approach or photograph the nest will disturb the Warbler. Anyone who disturbs protected birds, their eggs or active nests is violating the Endangered Species Act.

About the Kirtland's Warbler

· The Kirtland's Warbler was first described in Ohio in 1851

· It is commonly referred to as the jack pine warbler

· This songbird is one of 56 species of wood warblers found in North America

· Adult Kirtland's Warblers are lightweight birds, weighing 1/2 ounce, and are less than 6 inches long

· Breeding males have plumage of blue gray with black streaks

· Average life expectancy is two years

· Kirtland's Warblers build nests on the ground under living jack pine branches

· The birds migrate to the Bahamas where they stay for the fall and winter seasons

Story contributed by Don Mikel, Fire Ecologist.

The Soo District's 11th annual trash collection weekend was held May 17th and 18th. Despite the cold weather and a few snow flakes, 35 volunteers combed the forest for junk. As in the past, trash was found although not in the quantities of previous years.

According to Rudy Johnson, volunteer coordinator, "This year, you could drive for miles without finding enough trash to fill a pick up. In the past, it usually took less than a mile to fill your truck. We are starting to make a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of our National Forest. This year, only 63 tires were found. A few years ago, we found over 300."

In spite of the progress, enough trash was found to fill the dumpster donated by Waste Management, Inc of Sault Ste Marie. The scrap metal bin from A & L Iron and Metal of Kincheloe was also filled. Most of this scrap metal was in the form of replaced and discarded culverts.

Special thanks goes to:

* Furlong Logging Co. (Rudy Johnson, CEO) for organizing the event and providing the use of a log truck to haul and compact trash;

* Michigan Wheelers of Northern Michigan (www.michiganwheelers.com) and

The Boys and Girls Club of Bay Mills whose members came out in force to help with the clean up;

* Maple Ridge Restaurant of Eckerman for lunch on Saturday;

* Lumberjack Tavern of Strongs for lunch on Sunday; and

* Chippewa Township for the use of the town hall and parking lot for this year's event.

* Waste Management donated dumpster.

Bill Kabelman of Strong's, Mi. received the "Prestigious White Hat Award" for his years of volunteer service to the cleaning of the Hiawatha National Forest.

In the 11 years of trash collection, over 1,200 tires, 200 plus car batteries, several hundred (close to 1,000) appliances of all types and 1 piano (who throws away a piano?) have been removed from the Hiawatha National Forest by these dedicated volunteers.

In mid-April, the National Forest Foundation announced its first round of 2008 award recipients for its Matching Awards Program. The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) and has been awarded the grant in cooperation with the Hiawatha National Forest, US Forest Service. The SWP will utilize the grant conduct invasive inventory, mapping and eradication in the Forest's Rock River and Big Island Lake Wildernesses. The project will move forward this spring and summer.

The Superior Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rivers and watersheds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The mission of the Superior Watershed Partnership is to protect and improve the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on a watershed basis; by promoting responsible individual and community actions that ensure a sustainable environment, encourage a sustainable economy and help improve quality of life.

Carl Lindquist, Superior Watershed Partnership, expressed his enthusiasm for the cooperative project. The Forest Service is equally excited about this opportunity to get a jump on non-native, invasive species within two of its congressionally designated Wildernesses.

According to Ted Schiltz, Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager for the Hiawatha, "This is a great opportunity for the Forest to work with our partners to achieve the NNIS goals of the 10 year wilderness challenge."

Terry Miller, HNF Botanist notes, "We're also excited about this opportunity to make Rock River Canyon Wilderness our first 'invasive-free zone,' especially since it will involve gathering baseline invasives information in such a biologically significant area."

The NFF Matching Awards Program awards grants of all sizes to nonprofit organizations nationwide that perform on-the-ground conservation work to benefit our National Forests and Grasslands. Projects funded through these grants fall within one of four programmatic focus areas: community-based forestry, wildlife habitat improvement, watershed restoration or recreation.

As a matching awards program, recipients are required to raise non-federal dollars to match funds provided by the NFF. The Program effectively doubles the resources available to nonprofit partners to implement projects that directly benefit our 193-million-acre National Forest System.

The Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead, located on the White Mountain National Forest's Kancamagus Scenic Byway has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The homestead, located in the Passaconaway Valley, a once thriving community, is the former home of Ruth Priscilla Colbath, a strong and capable woman that lived all of her adult life in the house. She is best known for keeping a light in the window every night for some 40 years to guide her wayward husband home after he went out for the evening and didn't return.

Forest Service employees, volunteers, and a civilian contractor worked together to install a plaque identifying the Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead status as a National Register of Historic Places site.

On June 13 Bob Amidon, Saco Ranger District Visitor Information Specialist, and volunteer Ray Behnke, met with the local contractor and the work began. Rock saws, drills, chisels, and epoxy were used to mount the plaque permanently to a rock that has been placed on the path leading to the house. Three hours later the task was complete and White Mountain National Forest Construction & Maintenance Crew moved the rock into place and the developed recreation crew completed the installation.

Story contributed by Autumn Jauck, Information Assistant.

What is the Hiawatha Interpretive Association (HIA)? Many people may not realize that the Hiawatha National Forest has a dedicated board of volunteers that formed a non-profit group to assist the Forest with their mission. The purpose of HIA is to provide for visitors' enhanced enjoyment and understanding of the Hiawatha National Forest's Munising Ranger District, including Grand Island National Recreation Area, and the Rapid River Ranger District.

HIA assists the Forest Service by providing financial support to accomplish the following educational objectives:

1. Promoting wise stewardship of National Forest lands;

2. Interpreting natural and cultural heritage through education programs, publications and exhibits;

3. Encouraging no-trace camping; and

4. Enhancing forest visitor recreation opportunities and helping visitors learn about National Forest management.

In some areas, interpretive associations are known as "natural history associations;" whatever you call them, these groups play a critical role in helping land managers share improve the public's opportunity to enjoy and learn about the natural and cultural resources of a site.

For instance, in 2007 alone, the interpretive association contributed over $20,000 to a wide array of projects including: outstanding cultural performances in the Hiawatha National Forest funded in part by a CUPPAD Grant, an interagency visitor newspaper "Superior Wildlands", Signage for the Hiawatha National Forest Monument Project, the Artist in Residence Program,the Youth Archaeology Workshop, an educational visitor welcome video to be shown in the Visitor Center, and two Summer Visitor Services Interns on Hiawatha's Munising District.

In order to raise funds in support of its mission, HIA currently manages the bookstores at the Munising Ranger District Visitor Center and the Rapid River Ranger District.

District Ranger Teresa Chase, who has worked with HIA since its inception in 1995, sings praises to the groups volunteer board.

"The Forest greatly appreciates the dedication and hard work of every individual who has given their time and energy to the Association over the years," says Chase.

The current HIA board consists of Mary Snitgen, President; Lora Loope, Vice-President; Martin Pokela, Treasurer; Marcia Cox, Secretary; and Linda Thomasma, and Nancy Mathews, board members.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) recently announced awards of free paint for community fix-up and restoration projects and the "Make Rabideau Shine" project was a recipient of 60 gallons of paint. "Make Rabideau Shine" is a project that several partners have taken under their wings and with resources in short supply free paint is what they like to hear! Camp Rabideau National Historic Landmark, on the Chippewa National Forest, is one of three remaining Civilian Conservation Corp camps being preserved.

The free paint is a collaborative effort between the Valspar Corporation and the "Picture-It-Painted" program. The effort awards paint and other coating materials that are needed for rehabilitation projects in local towns and organizations. The community beautification projects picked add significant social and cultural value to places throughout the area.

Time to get the paint brushes out and "Make Rabideau Shine"!

On June 18, the Chippewa National Forest held its second annual Heritage Day. The day was planned to celebrate both the Chippewa National Forests Centennial and the intertwined history of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO)and the Chippewa.

Speakers included Leech Lake Tribal Chairman George Googleye, who spoke of his ties to the land as he grew up and learned the ways of the forest from his grandfather and how he is now passing this love of the outdoors to his grandchildren. He also spoke of how the Forest Service and the LLBO need to continue to work together to protect the Forest for future generations.

Tribal Elder Larry Aitken spoke about the history of the Ojibwe and how they came to Leech Lake. He wove stories of his life to teach lessons in tolerance of differences, respect of your fellow man, appreciation of life, and being a responsible adult.

Region 9 employee Jane Cliff joined the day and reminisced about her early years in the Forest Service spent as a new wildlife biologist on the Blackduck District. She spoke of the great people she worked with and all the lessons she was taught to be woods-wise.

Everyone enjoyed a walleye lunch and the afternoon was spent playing cultural bingo, planting a tree to commemorate the next 100 years of the forest and watching the Cass Lake-Bena native dance and drum group.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Eastern Region hosted its very successful regional Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) orientation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This year's theme, "Embracing Your Potential," had additional significance - this was the inaugural kick-off of including technical positions into our recruitment landscape through the Job Corps program.

The potential of the students involved was very evident, as their excitement grew by leaps and bounds each day with the interactions with employees and directors. Over the three-day period, 23 energized students, along with several supervisors, had the opportunity to share ideas and officially embark on their new journeys as public servants.

Earlier in December 2007, Eastern and Southern Region leaders each decided to recruit and place six students (12 total) from the advanced programs into the successful SCEP programs of both Regions 8 and 9 from the Schenck Job Corps Wildland Fire and Natural Resources program, renamed the Davidson River Initial Fire Attack Crew. This effort has been a resounding success in the recruitment and placement of top-notch individuals in the Forest Service.

Throughout the week, the SCEP students received very detailed training in Defensive Driving, Employee Benefits, and Ethics and Conduct. They also were briefed on Fire and Aviation, Urban Connections, Financial Accountability, How to Market Yourself to Employers, the National Federation of Federal Employees, and a lively presentation on Law Enforcement and Investigations.

Each year the program strives to "keep up with the times" by providing innovative ways to address current situations the students may face either as employees or citizens.

Margaret Henningsen, Senior Vice President of Legacy Bank in Milwaukee, spoke on the subject of "Managing Your Financial Future," offering the students sound advice in investments, credit worthiness, and potential financial pitfalls to avoid.

Louise Wyche, the CEO of Strategic Recruitment Solutions and a recent retiree of the Forest Service, was on hand to provide tips on how to become successful in school, work and life. The participants explored ways they could maximize their potential to become good students and even greater employees. They were challenged and encouraged to make that favorable and lasting first impression by becoming aware of the 'hidden rules' for professional appearance, communication skills and appropriate conduct in the workplace.

Retired Colonel Jim Paige of Pioneers in Education, Inc., and Carl Butler, President-Elect, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resource and Related Sciences (MANRRS), provided the students with an excellent opportunity to witness firsthand how a successful, interactive mentor/mentee relationship is developed and nurtured in a national network atmosphere.

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the SCEP orientation," Paige said. "It was truly enlightening by how well the SCEP students are being orientated. The warm inviting hospitality was very much appreciated. I look forward to working with you in the near future."

Butler was equal in his praise and appreciation "for allowing me to be a part of your program and the hospitality you and the folks in Region 9 extended during my brief visit. I appreciate the support you've been able to harness for the scholars program in Region 9. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Sharon Crittendon, Region 8 SCEP Program Manager, remarked that "this is a perfect opportunity to share ideas on enhancing both the Eastern and Southern Region programs and develop a model for the rest of Forest Service on collaboration and effective use of resources. Florence Pridgen, Region 9 SCEP Program Manager, and I will continue to bring our programs together in other ways to build the Forest Service of the future."

The Cambarus polychromatus, commonly known as the painted-hand mudbug, was recently identified on the Shawnee National Forest. This crawfish had never been documented on the Forest until it was found in two widely separated locations, Dog Creek in Pope County and a tributary to Cedar Lake in Jackson County.

Melissa Mead, Student Career Employment Program (SCEP) ecologist on the Forest, developed a sampling protocol for crayfish and began surveying in 2007. Crayfish are extremely difficult to identify in the field, therefore, Melissa entered into a partnership agreement with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois to identify species that are collected on the Forest. Under this agreement, Melissa has been working with the Illinois Natural History Survey to better document the locations of crayfish across the Forest.

Melissa's most recent survey effort yielded the discovery of this species of crayfish. The painted-hand mudbug was first recognized by researchers as a new species of crayfish in 2005. The painted-hand mudbug is not rare and is widely distributed throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. However, the identification of these specimens has documented the painted-hand mudbug for the first time on the Shawnee National Forest.

Melissa's efforts have also yielded critical information on the Indiana crayfish. She has documented the Indiana crayfish, a State of Illinois Endangered Species and Regional Forester Sensitive Species, at two new locations on the Forest, Eagle Creek and Clifty Creek in Saline County. The results of these surveys will play an important role in planning future Forest projects as we continue our efforts to manage and conserve these species of crayfish.

Melissa's partnership with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois is an effective and efficient method of working with partners to protect ecosystems across boundaries.

In mid-April, the National Forest Foundation announced its first round of 2008 award recipients for its Matching Awards Program. The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) and has been awarded the grant in cooperation with the Hiawatha National Forest, US Forest Service. The SWP will utilize the grant conduct invasive inventory, mapping and eradication in the Forest's Rock River and Big Island Lake Wildernesses. The project will move forward this spring and summer.

The Superior Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rivers and watersheds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The mission of the Superior Watershed Partnership is to protect and improve the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on a watershed basis; by promoting responsible individual and community actions that ensure a sustainable environment, encourage a sustainable economy and help improve quality of life.

Carl Lindquist, Superior Watershed Partnership, expressed his enthusiasm for the cooperative project. The Forest Service is also excited about this opportunity to get a jump on non-native, invasive species within two of its congressionally designated Wildernesses.

According to Ted Schiltz, Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager, Hiawatha NF, "This is a great opportunity for the forest to work with our partners to achieve the NNIS goals of the 10 year wilderness challenge."

"And furthermore," says Terry Miller, Hiawatha National Forest Botanist, "we really look forward to the day that our Wildernesses are also 'weed-free zones.'"

The NFF Matching Awards Program awards grants of all sizes to nonprofit organizations nationwide that perform on-the-ground conservation work to benefit our National Forests and Grasslands. Projects funded through these grants fall within one of four programmatic focus areas: community-based forestry, wildlife habitat improvement, watershed restoration or recreation.

As a matching awards program, recipients are required to raise non-federal dollars to match funds provided by the NFF. The Program effectively doubles the resources available to nonprofit partners to implement projects that directly benefit our 193-million-acre National Forest System.

While up at Minnetriesta Cultural Center for the State-wide Envirothon I ran into an old acquaintance. Stephanie Keevil, the on-site Interpreter for the facility was the Envirothon's contact for the State-wide contest. She came out to greet the Envirothon team and help us set up and when she saw me her face lit up and she asked if I remembered her. It took me a few minutes, but then it came back.

Stephanie had spent a summer providing interpretive summer programs at Hardin Ridge Recreation Area on the Hoosier National Forest a decade or so ago. At the time she was in high school working on her Gold Award for Girl Scouts. To achieve the Gold Award the scout is required to explore career options and spend a minimum of 65 hours developing and completing a project that has a lasting and positive impact on her community. Stephanie's project was to do environmental programs for children in the amphitheater several times over the summer. She did an excellent job. At the end of the summer she received the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.

Les Wadzinski, Recreation Program Manager remembers Stephanie well and recalls, "That girl had a real passion for interpretation and her mom was also very supportive by bringing her to Hardin Ridge for the programs. And, she was really good at it." Wadzinski reflects, "This one of those rare times where we touch somebody's life for real in a positive way, and can see a direct benefit from our efforts."

At the end of the summer when Stephanie volunteered on the Hoosier I was able to attend an event at her home, which was coincidently her birthday party. On behalf of the Forest I presented her a non-monetary gift for her work over the summer and saw her receive her Gold Award from her Girl Scout leader.

I marveled at the chances of running into her again and Stephanie said she had so much fun that summer volunteering for the Hoosier that she went to college and majored in natural resources. As a result of that summer giving programs, she wanted to became an interpreter for her career and that's what she did! Because of that opportunity we allowed her to pursue all those years ago, Stephanie Keevil is teaching people about natural resources in the Muncie area and still making an impact in children's lives.

"I learned more than I ever knew I could learn" said one seasonal employee who at the end of the session thanked those who hosted it for taking the time to put the session together. Another said "This was amazingly useful! I think now I know all. It was awesome."

The enthusiastic group spent one day learning about the Hoosier National Forest, its history, highlights of each program area, played games to learn about southern Indiana and Forest Service policy, safety, customer service, and what the GATE group was all about. They were also treated to a barbeque pitch-in luncheon by all employees. The second day they were given first aid training.

The evaluations were positive with upbeat comments thanking the Forest for taking the time to host the training and provide them lunch. One participant noted, "Having each department leader come in and lay out all that their staff accomplished really helped us understand what the Hoosier does."

Eric Sandeno, Brownstown District Outdoor Recreation Planner, believes the orientation has been invaluable to his seasonal employees. "This is the first year we've included the Youth Conservation Corp enrollees for the entire time - regardless of what these kids do with the rest of their lives, if they have a solid understanding of what the Forest Service does, we've done our job." Sandeno said too often seasonals work in one narrow field and may never be aware of the other areas the Forest Service is involved with. "In some cases, they end up working pretty much alone and have limited contact with other employees, so I see this as an opportunity for us to show them what we're about - and what they learn should have a ripple effect with their circle of friends and family."

Les Wadzinski, Recreation Program Manager, agrees, adding that the customer service aspect is also important. "The public is likely to cross paths with most of our seasonal employees. For those people the seasonal employee is the face of the Forest Service and we need to have them make a good impression and it benefits all of us if they know something about what's going on in the Forest, or what the rules are and are able to answer basic questions."

For those who attended, it just is good information to have. Leslie Thaxton, Budget and Finance SCEP Student, back for her second summer, attended again. "I learned so much the first time, I thought I wanted to see how much more I could learn going through it again!" she said with a wide grin.

The Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest has long struggled with problems of household trash being dumped randomly on Forest lands. Despite an aggressive plan to work with the county and correctional crews it's often hard to stay ahead of the problem. The District also stepped up law enforcement efforts and has shown some marked success.

Forest Technician Eddie Park took the time to look through some new trash that he'd observed added to an old dump on Aaron's Creek Road. Eddie found a name in the trash and turned over the evidence to Officer Doug Berringer. Berringer said, "The piece of trash had the name and address of a local person on it, and Eddie also provided a good map with directions to the site." Berringer commended Parks on taking the time to stop and find the evidence and encouraged more people to do the same. "This evidence can be gone quick with animals and weather, and it saves a lot of time if you look through it right when you find it and bring me anything with names, numbers, addresses, ect."

Berringer took a little different approach on this case. He worked with the Assistant US Attorney from Cincinnati and the manager of the local Rumpke dumping station (Ohio Valley Transfer) near Ironton. Rumpke agreed to charge $2/bag or $35/ ton to subjects that were cited for dumping if they provided the citation when they came to dump the trash. Then Rumpke would give a receipt of this to the subject to provide proof that they in fact cleaned up the trash and paid to have it dumped instead of just dumping it somewhere else.

The Assistant US Attorney agreed to reduce the fine amount by half - $150 instead of $300 - if the subject did go and clean up not only the trash they dumped, but an equal amount of trash from the National Forest Lands.

Berringer reports, "I just finished the first attempt at handling dumping in this manner and it was a success. The subject cleaned EVERYTHING up from this location, took it to Rumpke, paid to have it dumped properly, gave me the receipt, and paid his fine." He adds, "Thanks to Eddie stopping to find that evidence."

Berringer's creative solution to resolving the dumping issue may create a lasting difference in the values of local people - even if only one household at a time.

By Shane Schuelke

In today's world of video games and the Internet, many children appear to be losing touch with the outdoor traditions that have entertained residents of northern Wisconsin for generations. In order to revive some interest and curiosity of outdoor recreation, over 200 fifth grade students attended the Taylor County Youth Outdoor Expo on May 23, 2008. This event provided students an opportunity to explore the many forms of recreation that are available away from their television or computer.

Organized by the Taylor County Sportsman's Club (TCSC), this event brought together more than a dozen private organizations, outdoor clubs, and government entities such as the Ruffed Grouse Society and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Children were able to compete in a casting competition, shoot a bow and arrow, and see a live red-tailed hawk!

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest provided their interactive Stream Simulator along with several Forest professionals to provide stream flow education for the event. The hands-on practicum allowed students to visualize how human activities can alter natural stream flow. The students could introduce fish habitat or build culverts and watch how their actions could positively or negatively change the stream.

These students, most of whom enjoyed fishing, were better able to understand how seemingly minor changes can greatly alter their favorite fishing locations.

This event is planned to return in 2009. The TCSC hopes that through continued contributions of organizations such as the Chequamegon Bird Club, Wisconsin Trappers Association, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet, students across Taylor County will be able to get their "hands wet" with recreation opportunities once they turn off their television and computer and step outside.

This year's International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebration, "Habitats on the Hoosier," was a huge success with over 20 partners helping us to connect more than 150 citizens to the land. International Migratory Bird Day is an annual celebration of one of the most important events in the life of a migratory bird- the journey between its summer and winter homes. This important day was created to focus public attention on the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats through celebrations and education programs. Perhaps most importantly, IMBD is about making connections between people, birds, and the natural world.

The Hoosier's day-long event began with guided bird hikes at 7:30 and 8:30. Over thirty people arrived early to participate in these hikes, and they were rewarded with views of pileated woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, red-eyed vireos, a scarlet tanager, and many others. Public Affairs Officer, Frank Lograsso, was present to welcome the early birds and to kick off the days activities. Guest speakers presented workshops throughout the day on topics such as a mist-netting demonstration, landscaping for wildlife, sharing the wonder of birds with children, and much more.

The event was centered around a "Round Robin" - craft and game booths designed to provide children (as well as adults) with an enjoyable learning experience. Participants had the opportunity to build bird houses, create a variety of bird feeders, identify birds from a birding blind, learn how to make their backyards more appealing to birds, participate in a variety of games, and win great prizes. In addition, children 16 and under were able to decorate banners and to enter them into the Hoosier's downtown bird banner competition. Winning banners are currently on display in downtown Mitchell, Indiana for a month. "Art gives children a way to experience nature," said Cindy Sandeno, Wildlife Biologist on the Hoosier National Forest. "I think everyone will enjoy seeing the connection these children have made to the natural world."

"Habitats on the Hoosier" is designed to motivate people of all ages to get outdoors to learn about birds. The Hoosier National Forest feels that we have an important role in environmental education and in providing a healthy place for children to experience nature. American children now have fewer unstructured outdoor activities than previous generations, especially urban families who often lack opportunities, experiences, and the knowledge to allow them to participate in outdoor activities. For this reason, this year's IMBD celebration was expanded to include elementary students from "high needs" schools within the Hoosier's largest communities - Bedford and Bloomington. Transportation for these students and their families was provided to the event.

Several attendees of this year's event remarked on how much they learned during the IMBD celebration, and they thanked the Hoosier's personnel for putting together such a great event. "I am extremely grateful to the many Forest Service employees who were willing to donate their Saturday to this important event. Their energy and enthusiasm made learning about birds fun as well as educational," said Cindy Sandeno.

The celebration would not have been complete without the numerous partners that staffed booths and gave presentations. Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Celebrate Urban Birds, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Indiana Bluebird Society, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana University, Manchester College, Monroe County Parks and Recreation, Sassafras Audubon Society, Sycamore Land Trust, and Wild Turkey Federation were all represented at this event. Many other sponsors donated prizes, food, and beverages to assist with the event, and Bloomington Boy Scout Troop 136 cooked hotdogs and wonderful Dutch oven cobblers.

Cows no longer trample the riparian area of Big Run in the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest, nor do they have to negotiate the banks of the stream to get drinking water. In a classic "win-win" situation, both the natural resources and the cattle are better off as a result of a partnership between the Forest Service and Trout Unlimited.

Through a challenge cost-share agreement between the Forest and the Trout Unlimited Potomac Headwaters Home Rivers Initiative numerous improvements have taken place on Big Run as it meanders through a 248-acre grazing allotment.

Streams in the Big Run watershed support populations of wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) which is a management indicator species in the Forest Land Management Plan for the Monongahela. The Big Run watershed streams are further recognized as priority habitat by the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture and the West Virginia Brook Trout Conservation Strategy by virtue of the relatively intact populations of native "brookies" that they support.

With only 7,000 acres or so in grazing allotments in the entire Forest, the Big Run allotment is an important component to the grazing program and to the local farmer who holds the permit. Managing for both native trout and cattle simply isn't possible unless riparian areas can be effectively fenced off, and suitable water sources developed for the livestock.

That's where the partnership between Trout Unlimited and the Forest comes in. A decision memo was signed in 2006 to begin the process of implementing a multi-pronged project to restore riparian and stream channel conditions in Big Run. The ultimate goal of the project is to conserve and restore brook trout populations in the Big Run watershed.

Under the cost-share agreement, the Forest Service provided oversight of the project by watershed technican Lindsey Moore and watershed program manager Mike Owen; materials/supplies for off-channel watering troughs; and $10,000 for reimburseable cooperator costs to implement the items listed in the decision memo. Trout Unlimited provided the labor resources, materials other than watering troughs, and equipment required to do all of the work.

The project has been ambitious, involving 14,300 feet (nearly 3 miles) of fencing to protect 7,200 feet of stream and 37.4 acres of riparian area; planting 37.4 acres of spruce, willow, and silky dogwood in the riparian zone; construction of 5 elevated stream crossings to allow for movement of cattle throught the allotment; and devleopment of 3 new spring boxes and installation of 8 new watering troughs.

In addition both short and long term monitoring efforts have been instituted, including placement of temperature loggers, establishment of photo points, and collection of fish population and habitat data.

The trees, planted by volunteers, are still small and the fences and other improvements still obviously new, but there are no more fresh cattle tracks along the banks of Big Run. The fencing will prevent soiling and degradation of the water quality by cattle, while ensuring the stream banks are not eroded by their hooves.

Over time, as the trees grow tall, the shade will deepen along the stream, protecting the cool, oxygen-rich waters the trout depend on. The cattle still have access to the productive grazing areas, and thanks to the water troughs, have a source of easily accessible water. The permit holder still has pasture for their cattle.

It's easy to note that the net total project value is $69,462 and that the Forest Service achieved the project through a 15.85% match to the 84.15% contributed by Trout Unlimited. Far harder to quantify, but ultimately more satisfying, is the knowledge that the habitat of the Big Run watershed is indeed being conserved for the future.

The Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife has been an essential partner in managing fisheries on the Wayne National Forest. They stock our large fishing lakes, monitor fish populations, and annually assist the Forest with aquatic habitat improvement projects, such as dropping recycled Christmas trees into lakes to provide fish habitat.

This year, they took this partnership one step further. Upon learning that ODNR had scheduled Lake Vesuvius for creel surveys in 2008, Ironton District wildlife biologist Kari Kirschbaum saw an opportunity to educate local sportsmen about aquatic invasive species and how they can prevent their spread. Mike Greenlee of ODNR, agreed to allow the ODNR creel clerk at Lake Vesuvius to discuss aquatic invasives and distribute literature after each creel survey. Nick Schmal, Regional Fish & Aquatic Ecology Program Leader, provided approximately 500 "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers" pamphlets, as well as Zebra Mussel and Asian Carp Watch Cards for distribution. These are being distributed to each sportsperson interviewed for creel surveys.

"On a typical day, I interview about 35 fishermen. For the most part, they seem to know a little bit about aquatic invasives, and are very open to learning more, particularly about how they can avoid spreading them. I think this has been a really successful partnership that could be successful at other locations as well" stated Jake Emnett, ODNR creel clerk for Lake Vesuvius.

The annual Lake Vesuvius Kid's fishing derby was held on May 10 at the Lake Vesuvius boardwalk. Despite cool and rainy weather leading up to the event, the weather on the day of the derby turned out to be beautiful, with sunny skies, and highs in the 80's. Approximately 162 kids participated in the derby, which was sponsored by the Wayne National Forest, the Lawrence County Bass Club, and the Izaak Walton League. A free lunch of hot dogs, chips and soda was cooked and served by Texas Road House. Food and prizes were donated by several local businesses.

The Lake Vesuvius Derby was a long standing local tradition for many years until the lake was drained for repairs in 2001. The Fishing Derby was re-initiated in 2007, and is fast becoming a popular annual event again. One grandmother who brought her grandchildren to the derby this year remembers bringing her daughter, the children's mother, to the derby when she was a youngster. She expressed how pleased she was to see the derby reinstated, and how much her grandchildren enjoyed participating in the event.

Activities at this year's derby included fishing contests, casting instruction and contest, a visit by Smokey Bear, a snake show, and an informational booth by Ohio DNR wildlife officer, Darron Abbott. Prizes were awarded in each age group for the biggest (heaviest) fish, most fish caught, and the casting contest. Door prizes were also drawn for those participants who didn't catch any fish.

Jim Adkins, Lawrence County Bass Club member, observed, "I'm really pleased with how the Derby turned out this year. If we get kids to spend a day outside and they have a good time and maybe learn a thing or two about fishing, I'd say we were successful. By those criteria, this day was certainly a success."

Kari Kirschbaum, Ironton district biologist said, "We're very glad to see so many young people turn out for this event. I hope that we sparked an interest in fishing in some kids. Even if it doesn't become a lifelong hobby for most, I'm glad we got them outdoors for a day to enjoy and appreciate the national forest in their backyard."

Chippewa National Forest employee Mitch Bouchonville was recently honored by the Boy Lake/Kego Lake Local Indian Council (LIC) for his ten years of faithful service.

Bouchonville, who is the Public Services Team Leader on the Walker Ranger Districts, was invited to attend a meeting at the Kego Lake Community Center. Upon his arrival he was surprised with a potluck dinner that had been set up in his honor. Many members of the LIC along with others from the community were in attendance.

In honoring Bouchonville for his service he was presented with a stone sculpture, being told that the rock was solid and dependable like him. He was also presented with a magnet of a Bob Wakanabo (Leech Lake member) painting, titled "The Beginning", and a "Big Mouth Billy Bass" plaque! The gifts were all very special but Bouchonvilles favorite gift was a small plaque that read... In Honor of Mitch 'Zamidoon' Bouchonville, Honorary Member of the Boy Lake/ Kego Lake Tribe of Leech Lake Indians for his many years of faithful forestry service. Congratulations Mitch 'Zamidoon' Bouchonville!

The Chippewa works with 15 Local Indian Councils forestwide.

How to manage a large parcel of land once it was acquired by the Forest Service? That question was faced by the Monongahela National Forest when it acquired a 6,812 acre parcel from Mead-Westvaco in 2003.

Known as the Buskirk Tract, the area contained a relative rarity in the Forest today: habitat suitable for designation as a Ruffed Grouse Management Area. There have been significant population declines of grouse in areas where there is no longer a mix of early successional habitat.

The bird, with its distinctive "drumming" during mating season, has been declining throughout the Monongahela and the eastern United States in general. Having designated grouse management areas is one method biologists and land managers use in an effort to "keep common species common."

Designation of the Buskirk Tract as a Ruffed Grouse Management Area occurred during the Forest Planning process which culminated in a new Land Management Plan in 2006. This area was considered ideal for such designation as it had been intensively managed for timber production prior to acquisition by the Forest Service and contains not only a good mix of potential habitat, but also has good access. Grouse are an important game species in the Monongahela, and management to enhance habitat for them leads to recreational hunting opportunities and associated economic benefits.

Designation was only the beginning however, as the land must be actively managed to retain the characteristics desirable for grouse. The bird uses a variety of habitats. Young forests provide optimal habitat, especially when juxtaposed with older forests.

A step towards improving conditions optimal for grouse was taken by staff on Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District this spring when they joined forces with the West Virginia DNR and the local chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society to enhance habitat.

District employee Matt Edwards and local DNR area manager Jim Craft led the effort and performed the necessary chainsaw work. They were joined by local Ruffed Grouse Society members as they released 20 hawthorne trees and planted 50 chinkapin oak seedlings to enhance food sources for the grouse in the future. The chinkapin seedlings came from the NRCS Appalachian Plant Materials Center, a federal facility located in Alderson, WV.

A VISTA volunteer, Wendy Campbell, obtained these seedlings and other materials from the Alderson facility at no charge to the Forest Service, for use on multiple projects across the Forest.

The tree planting and hawthorn release day was the first of what is intended to be many projects with the Ruffed Grouse Society, WV DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation, and other partners to improve this Management Area and ensure the continued presence of the grouse in the Monongahela.

Pulling garlic mustard isn't particularly difficult in many locations since it often prefers moist, rich soils. Persistence is the key attribute to being able to make any headway against this non-native invasive plant. Efforts in the Monongahela National Forest appear to be having at least a small positive effect in a few areas due to repeated garlic mustard "pulls" being conducted in the same areas over time.

In early May of 2008, Forest ecologist Kent Karriker and NEPA coordinator Bill Shields spent a day pulling up the invasive plants at three locations in the Forest. This was the fourth consecutive year of garlic mustard control at Gaudineer Scenic Area, a well visited, high-elevation location with a thick cover of red spruce.

Plants were pulled from around the parking area, from a disturbed area along the loop trail, and from alongside a Forest Road nearby. It took two hours to pull all second year ("bolting") garlic mustard plants in sight. Removal of all second year plants is critical for successful control efforts because it eliminates seed production for that year. Removal of first year plants ("rosettes") is not necessary because they will not produce seed until the following year.

It is, however, critical that repeated years of visits take place in an area to ensure the seeding plants are removed over time. At Gaudineer, the repeated control efforts appear to be having a positive impact because the population is decreasing and it takes sucessively less effort and time to pull the second year plants here. Pulled plants filled approximately 1/3 of a 32 gallon garbage bag.

The team moved on to a second location, this one along Forest Road 27B. This was the third year garlic mustard has been pulled from this site and it only took a few minutes to pull the handful of second-year plants that were present.

This was the first attempt to control garlic mustard at Camp Pocahontas, the site of the team's third pull of the day. The infestation was simply too large for two people to pull all of it, so they focused their efforts on the edge of the woods to slow the spread of the invasive plant into the adjacent trees. After pulling for 2 1/2 hours, the pair had filled 1 1/2 32 gallon garbage bags with second-year plants.

Follow up site visits were conducted at the end of May by Karriker and seasonal employee Nick Redifer. From these visits it was determined that the initial May efforts were between 75-100% effective at removing all of the flowering garlic mustard in the areas pulled. The site with a very large adjacent infestation did not receive any additional efforts this year as it will require considerable time and people to make an impact.

Because the Gaudineer sites were found to be 90-95% free of flowering plants on the repeat visit, the remaining flowering plants were removed, thus completely clearing those areas for this year. The smallest site was found to already be 100% cleared of second-year plants.

Sadly, as is all too common, this field trip found two additional areas of garlic mustard not far from sites already under eradication efforts. Both patches were small (approximately several hundred square feet each) and dense and fully developed. All the flowering plants located in these areas were pulled and bagged, adding another full 32 gallon garbage bag to the season's count.

Although such eradication efforts are somewhat frustrating since the species is spreading rapidly through the Forest, it was rewarding to see that at least in some areas concentrated efforts can pay off.

On Saturday, June 9th Ottawa Fisheries Staff hosted their annual Henry Lake Kids Fishing Derby at the Henry Lake Campground and fishing pier on the Bessemer Ranger District, Ottawa National Forest. Sixteen local kids participated in the derby this year with parents, grandparents, and other family and friends joining the fun.

This year's derby featured nice weather and good fishing for all the participants. Awards were given to the lucky anglers that caught the largest bluegill, bass, and bullhead. Along with those awards, the prestigious "casting champion" took home a new rod and reel combo for her performance.

The derby closed with a prize drawing for everyone, which left all in attendance with big smiles.

With shouts of excitement and smiles on their faces, children across the Monongahela National forest have been reeling in fish, learning how to cast, and winning prizes at fishing derbies. The Forest has sponsored derbies for 18 years, with the event held at Bowden typically one of the largest such derbies in the nation.

It's safe to say that every possible combination of spring weather has been experienced at these events over the years, but they continue to draw devoted crowds, no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.

Four derbies were held in 2008, beginning with the Greenbrier Ranger District May 17 at Lake Buffalo, followed by derbies on May 31 at Summit Lake on the Gauley District and at Horseshoe Run on the Cheat-Potomac District, and ending with the derby at Bowden outside of Elkins on June 7.

While the energy and enthusiasm of the children and their families is the same across the derbies, each event has a character all its own. The Lake Buffalo derby, which takes place on a Forest Service impoundment, is strongly supported by local residents. An area family annually donates money to the event in memory of a member who was a stalwart derby supporter.

Now in its 17th year, this derby also includes a locally run concession stand with all proceeds going back into the derby for prizes and supplies the next year.

The Horseshoe Run derby is unusual in that it takes place along a flowing stream, which requires district staff to place nets above and below the fishing area to contain the fish. Celebrating its 18th year this year, the Horseshoe derby holds casting competitions, other fish related games, offers educational booths and concessions, and provides professional filleting services to those fortunate enough to catch fish.

The Summit Lake derby has been held for 8 years and offers the same fishing experiences and casting competitions as the others, but has the added attraction of an educational snake show. Roy Moose, from the Monongahela's Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, presented his Snakes of West Virginia" program, including live venomous and non-venomous species, to a fascinated audience.

The Bowden derby is unique in that it takes place at a fish hatchery. Formerly operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bowden Hatchery is now run by the the WV Division of Natural Resources. While the fish in the raceways can be viewed by folks at the derby, the only fishing allowed is in ponds specifically designated for that purpose. The Forest has been a derby sponsor at Bowden for 18 years, and currently runs the casting competition. This is a large event, with multiple casting lanes and plenty of prizes.

Fishing derbies continue to be a fun and effective way to connect children to the great outdoors. Many of the children who take part in the derbies on the Monongahela are already anglers, but for a significant part of the group, this is the first time they have been exposed to the sport.

Despite the work involved in putting on the derbies, the Forest employees who staff the booths, register kids, help them bait and cast, and answer questions will all agree that the work is worth the results.

Top photo: Glidden student Brent Beil learns to use a fire hose

Bottom photo: A student dons some loon attire while Biological Technician Kathy Moe talks about this unique wildlife species

Contrbuted by Nancy Borman, Business Management Assistant, Great Divide Ranger District

The Great Divide Ranger District on the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF recognizes the importance to expose children, our future conservationists, to nature and our forests. Kids must understand why forests are so valuable so they can grow into citizens who support conservation. The District set up different "stations" at the Glidden School Forest for elementary students to experience the great outdoors and be educated on how the Forest Service cares for the land that surrounds them and how they can care for the land, too.

At the wildlife station, Kathy Moe, Biological Technician, gave a fun presentation on loons. Students were fitted with "loony attire" to resemble the bird while Kathy educated them on the special and unique features loons possess.

Deb Proctor, a soil scientist, was on hand at the next station to talk to students about soils. This involved digging a small soil pit to show them what the soil looks like below the surface of the ground. She explained how forest soils form, how different soils influence what kind of forests will grow, and how they influence what types of forest management practices can occur and at what times of the year. They learned about soil horizons, soil nutrients, organisms in the soil, drainage, texture, and soil color. This was a hands-on presentation as the students handled the soils while they were discussed.

District timber staff Richard Strauss and Chris Lesch led a presentation at the third station and gave demonstrations on how to measure and "age" trees and educated them on the different tools used and also the identification of different tree species. They demonstrated how to plant a tree, and each student received a tree to take home.

At the fire station, Forestry Technicians Andrew Moffitt, Steve Kangas, and Chris Geidel, accompanied by the one and only Smokey Bear, set up an area at the entrance of the school forest with one of the Forest Service fire engines. They educated the students on the importance of fire safety at home and in the forest and also gave demonstrations on the different equipment and tools used to prevent and combat forest fires. The story of Smokey Bear was also read to each of the groups.

At the end of the day, everyone had a chance to meet Smokey and participated in a group photo. Being able to spend time educating youngsters on our forests and wildlife is always time well spent!

About Wisconsin's School Forests. . .

The 40 acre Glidden School Forest, established in the late 70's or early 80's, is one of 357 schools forests that can be found in Wisconsin. School forests are located in 66 of 72 Wisconsin counties and cover 25,000 acres. The parcels range in size from 3 to 740 acres.

The idea of school forests originated in Australia and was introduced to Wisconsin in 1925 by the late Dean Russell of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture. While visiting Australia, Russell watched school children planting trees on public tracts of land as an education project. By 1927, Russell's plan was on its way to becoming reality through legislation he spearheaded that permitted school districts to own land for forestry programs.

The oldest school forest and the first in the United States, is the Laona School Forest, located in Forest County. It began on a spring day in 1928 when a small number of school children near the northern Wisconsin lumber town of Laona marched out to a desolate and burnt over area to plant trees. Today, the Norway pines the students planted more than 70 years ago are stately giants.

Posted at an employee's desk was the quote "If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves" by Dale Carnegie. The phrase captured the essence of Earth Week on Chippewa National Forest, where activities on every district were adding up to something good.

Employees were challenged to Get to Work Differently on Earth Day. Leo Johnson, Blackduck District, who rides his bicycle to work every day despite rain, wind, snow, or sunshine, proved it was possible. Joyce Rairdon, Executive Assistant, made an extra effort on Earth Day to commute a 6 mile round trip on hers. Several employees telecommuted or used less fuel by commuting on a motorcycle or with a carpool. It seemed like a small thing when it happened, but for some of the carpoolers it became a new habit.

At the Supervisors Office and the Blackduck District, the local Ottertail Power and Beltrami Electric companies followed up on office energy studies conducted for us last year by presenting energy conservation options employees could use at home. It seemed like simple enough information when given, but the sessions went longer than planned with so many good employee questions.

The Chippewa Green Team partnered with the active Green Team at Grand Rapids High School to plant 500 white pine trees around their high school grounds. As thanks to the school and Forest Service staff, the local Walmart provided reuseable shopping totes and the city Public Works Department followed by helping with a Clean Up event.

Walker District organized a fun clean up day at Mable Lake Campground that drew employees from other offices, students and volunteers who wanted to help make a difference. In the spirit of doing a little job well, they hosted a big potluck complete with grilled turkeys and kept their workers inspired.

Inspiration grew during a conservation education visit to JW Smith Elementary. The biome garden envisioned for JW Smith Elementary School's vacant lot started to become a reality. Mary Nordeen, Public Affairs Specialist, led students through the process of inventorying the natural life existing on the property so students can track the changes as they plant the area for different habitats.

The big job of changing our habits and carbon footprint started to get done as many Chippewa employees gave their time and attention to little things before, during and after Earth Day.

The Chippewa National Forest had the honor of hosting the first national forest centennial in the Eastern Region on May 23, 2008. We were in good company, as the State of Minnesota celebrated 150 years and the Civilian Conservation Corps recognized 75 years.

The effort that formed the "Minnesota National Forest" started in 1897 when the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs launched a campaign to create a national park or forest reserve in pine-covered lands that were slated for sale to implement the Nelson Act. Unclaimed Ojibwe lands would be removed from tribal use and allowed for sale and to non-Indians or the federal government.

By 1908, the compromise plan was to create a national forest on these lands, one that practiced the "new science of forestry." Women, who did not yet have the right to vote, were influential in the plan's public acceptance. Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot and Minnesota's State Commissioner Christopher C. Andrews were among the few with the foresight to advocate good forestry practices.

At the time the Minnesota National Forest was formed it was the only one located in the eastern United States, a situation hard to envision today with 14 national forests and prairies near major U.S. population centers just in the northeast quarter.

At our Centennial year, we took the opportunity to look back on how we came to be here as well as focusing on where we're headed, the importance of working with partners, and opening the discussion of the challenging issues we face together.

With a series of public open houses May 20 - 22, our Guests of Honor were Forest Service retirees, partners, community and government officials. At the Deer River District, retiree Zig Zasada shared stories of his long life (he's now 99) and Forest Service career while current and recent employees presented historical changes of the land, wildlife, recreational use, and the lasting impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Melissa Roberts of Senator Norm Coleman's staff read a congratulatory letter from the Senator and a centennial tree was planted and watered by children of employees.

At the Walker District, the focus was on the future and hopeful plans for construction of a new office building to replace the 1937 structure. An 18-foot Smokey Bear invited people in to see a collection of photo exhibits and select their own centennial seedling for planting. Most of the community stopped in at the Blackduck District, to view a display of historic forest tools, pick up a bluebird kit for assembly or a centennial seedling to plant, and to visit around a campfire as they learned about current work projects. A commemorative centennial tree was planted at this administrative site also.

Historic photo exhibits and an employee-created Centennial Quilt rotated to all open houses and ended the week at the historic log Chippewa Supervisors Office. Forest Supervisor Rob Harper spoke about the opportunities and challenges as we begin our next 100 years. How will we help our forests adapt to a changing climate and an ever-increasing suite of invasive species? What role will the National Forest play in the unfolding exploration of alternative energy sources? How will we make National Forest resources relevant to an increasingly urban population often distant from the lands we manage?

The quilt work of ownerships within Chippewa National Forest provides one of our strengths. Since these are issues that we face across all public ownerships in Minnesota we see ourselves working in partnership with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, three counties, the state and the many other partners to be successful in the future.

These thoughts were echoed by a Centennial visit from Senator Norm Coleman and the Leech Lake Tribal Council as we spoke to employees and the media about our current strengths as governments working together.

With positive stories circulating about celebrating our past, our emphasis now shifts to embracing our diversity and our future goals. Chippewa National Forest will recognize that transition with an Employee Heritage Day in June, and some pride in our work during our centennial year.

The America's Outdoors Center--a unique urban outreach effort staffed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management--hosted the annual Great American Cleanup event April 19 at Milwaukee's Urban Treehouse Site at Lynden Hill.

Key partners such as Neighborhood House and the Lynden Hill Garden Club played key roles in assisting with the event.

A large crowd of more than 200 neighborhood volunteers turned out to assist with the cleanup, filling dozens of large trash bags with litter and debris that had accumulated over the winter months. The younger participants were given Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl gift bags that included coloring books, informational brochures, and free admissions to the Milwaukee County Zoo and other local attractions.

This was another example of the Eastern Region's ongoing effort to better connect citizens to the land.

The Shawnee National Forest's Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District and the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association co-hosted a trails workday on Saturday, May 3, 2008. This dedicated group of volunteers completed re-alignment work on the Cove Hollow Trail in Jackson County, Illinois.

The realignment project was on the north end of the multiple use hiker/equestrian Cove Hollow Trail. The volunteers included members of the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, the Shawnee Sierra Club, the Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts, Southern Illinois University - Saluki Volunteer Corps and families who adopted a trail or a trailhead and Mississippi Bluffs' volunteer coordinator, Kelly Pearson. The 17 volunteers worked together for four hours to construct approximately 200 feet of new trail, re-routing it from a vertical steep slope to a more horizontal side trail location.

If you are in southern Illinois and want to take advantage of the work completed by this dedicated group of volunteers, go south from Murphysboro on State Route 127 in Jackson County, then east on Dutch Ridge Trail until you reach the Cove Hollow Trailhead.

The volunteer programs to maintain and construct trails on the Shawnee National Forest help connect citizens to the land.

The Shawnee National Forest's Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District and the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association co-hosted a trails workday on Saturday, May 3, 2008. This dedicated group of volunteers completed re-alignment work on the Cove Hollow Trail in Jackson County, Illinois.

The realignment project was on the north end of the multiple use hiker/equestrian Cove Hollow Trail. The volunteers included members of the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, the Shawnee Sierra Club, the Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts, Southern Illinois University - Saluki Volunteer Corps and families who adopted a trail or a trailhead and Mississippi Bluffs' volunteer coordinator, Kelly Pearson. The 17 volunteers worked together for four hours to construct approximately 200 feet of new trail, re-routing it from a vertical steep slope to a more horizontal side trail location.

If you are in southern Illinois and want to take advantage of the work completed by this dedicated group of volunteers, go south from Murphysboro on State Route 127 in Jackson County, then east on Dutch Ridge Trail until you reach the Cove Hollow Trailhead.

The volunteer programs to maintain and construct trails on the Shawnee National Forest help connect citizens to the land.

For the past several years, with the help of many volunteers, the Heritage program on the Shawnee National Forest has been making landscape quilts to celebrate and draw attention to the many layers of history present here in Southern Illinois. Recently, four of our quilts were included in a quilt show in Anna, Illinois sponsored by Promoting Appreciation of Structural Treasure (P.A.S.T.). The quilt show was one of several events planned to honor the sesquicentennial celebration of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates that were held in Jonesboro, Illinois in 1858. The debate site is located on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial Picnic Area, which also happens to be the site of the Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Station.

The Shawnee National Forest quilts included in the show were two Underground Railroad sampler quilts, a landscape quilt depicting fugitive slaves traveling on the Underground Railroad, and a quilt depicting the cemetery at Miller Grove. Miller Grove was a free community of African Americans founded in 1844-1845 and now exists only archaeologically within the boundaries of the Shawnee National Forest.

These same quilts were included in a quilt show in Eldorado, Illinois this past March. The creation of these picturesque quilts depicting the history of the Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois and then exhibiting them at different locations and events is an artistic way of connecting citizens to the land.

Archaeologists Mary McCorvie and Ann Cramer, from the Shawnee National Forest and the Wayne National Forest, participated in the 7th Annual "To Bridge a Gap" Conference held this year in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There were a wide variety of presentations, some from tribal leaders and others from Forest Service employees. A number of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO) gave presentations on their programs and discussed many of the projects in which they have been involved. Many presenters spoke about initiatives to locate or relocate and clean up nineteenth century cemeteries where tribal members have been interred. One session was devoted to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and included a number of speakers such as Bambi Krauss, President of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Lee Walters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other law enforcement officers and tribal NAGPRA coordinators.

The Forest Service also gave a presentation on their infrastructure corporate database information and security system (INFRA) that has the capacity to allow tribal leaders to access information stored in the heritage database. Evening entertainment included a group of Choctaw/Chickasaw fancy dancers directed by Michael Roberts, Tim Tingle, a Choctaw storyteller, and key note speaker Ivan Batun, a native Mayan archaeologist.

Partners involved in the three-day conference included the Caddo Nation, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation, and the U. S. D. A. Forest Service. Working together with partners "To Bridge a Gap" is one way to connect citizens to the land.

Monongahela National Forest biologists and 21 volunteers gathered on a raw, wet Saturday to search for one of the most beautiful birds on the Regional Forester Sensitive Species list-the northern goshawk. Never known to be abundant in the Forest, despite the availability of suitable habitat, the species is shy and elusive. A handful of historic nesting sites are known and biologists have been monitoring those areas plus other suitable habitat for several years to determine the current distribution of the species.

This year's northern goshawk field search day was coordinated as a student project by Davis and Elkins College student and former MNF seasonal wildlife employee Jennifer Hempel with the assistance of Forest staff. Gauley Ranger District biologist Jay Martin is the MNF goshawk program lead, and he and District bio-tech Cheryl Tanner spent the day with the group in addition to other Forest biologists.

The search group included 21 volunteers ranging from students to retirees, and included people working on master naturalist certifications. Gathering in the drizzle at the Supervisor's Office in Elkins, they first had a tailgate safety session before dividing into groups and trekking to the top of Cheat Mountain, and into prime northern goshawk territory where more rain and colder conditions awaited them.

Focus was on the area around Gaudineer Knob where the birds, or evidence of their presence, had been previously found. Groups fanned out from this area to nearby likely sites. Team members were on the lookout for feathers, nests, and calls from the goshawk as well as the birds themselves.

While no goshawks were observed, a nest was located which represents a new record for the Forest. It appeared to be an active goshawk nest. Goshawks often have numerous nests in a general area, and appear to rotate among using them, perhaps as an area is depleted of prey, so it is difficult to tell if a given nest will actually contain young in a given year.

Once a nest is located, repeat visits are made over the breeding season in an attempt to find breeding birds. While this is a bit of a "needle in a haystack" exercise given the difficulty in even finding nests, it has proven successful in the past on the Monongahela.

In 2007 biologists on the Forest located the first recent known successful nest and banded the young birds. It's hoped that efforts such as the 2008 volunteer northern goshawk field search day will eventually lead to more known successful nests.

Story submitted by Sharon Hagstrom, Lands Program Manager

A private tract in the heart of the Mackinac Wilderness on the Hiawatha National Forest was recently acquired bringing total federal ownership within the wilderness boundaries 41 acres closer. Approximately 80 acres of private ownership remain within the Mackinac Wilderness, located along its west boundary.

Acquisition of the Vogt parcel, held for several generations by the same family, meet Forest Plan and wilderness consolidation goals, eliminating the need for non-federal inholding boundary line, providing for more efficient wilderness management, and eliminating a special use permit for access within the wilderness which was protected because it existed prior to designation of the Mackinac Wilderness.

This is another example of the Eastern Region's Courageous Conservation goal of Protecting Ecosystems Across Boundaries.

Most gardeners prize color of flower and foliage, its form and fragrance, and sometimes the edible nature of plants. Many rely upon their local garden center or super center to provide them with an array of plants to add to their gardens. Others glean plants from a friend's garden.

Unfortunately these choices often result in the addition of non-native plants to home gardens simply because people are unaware of the inherent beauty of native plants. A surprising number of plant and flower lovers also do not realize that many of the plants they prize were developed from native plants.

As part of a much larger project to increase awareness of native plants and their value to the world around us, Wendy Campbell, a VISTA volunteer working on the Greenbrier Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest, put together a simple but effective one sheet handout listing some choices for those gardeners who would like to reduce their reliance on hybrids and non-natives.

Titled "Go Native!" the handout lists "selected native plants for showiness, edibles, and pollinators from elevations above 2400 feet in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia and Virginia." Adapted, with permission, from lists provided by the West Virginia Heritage Program of the WV DNR, the handout lists 30 wildflowers and herbs, 9 shrubs, 19 trees, 8 sedges, 3 grasses, and 8 edibles for humans that also feed or host pollinators. The next version will include bloom times to increase the usefulness of the information.

Not intended to take the place of any of the excellent field guides that are available, this information sheet can serve as a guide for someone wishing to incorporate native plants into their own gardens. The WV Heritage Program web site contains links to WV plant nurseries that stock many of these native plants since neither the Forest Service nor the WV DNR wish to encourage collection of native plants from public lands.

Once plants mature at the two native plant gardens currently being developed in 2008 on the Monongahela, visitors will be able to easily see for themselves just how beautiful many of the native mountain plants are.

Administrative staff members from across the Monongahela National Forest gathered in early April 2008 for a fast-paced, information-filled three-day workshop aimed at keeping them on top of all the changes coming at them in their jobs. While a little fun wasn't mandatory, they all seemed to get that into the session too.

Speakers included Forest subject matter experts,along with invited guests from the Albuquerque Service Center, the ISO, and the employee assistance program. As would be expected, topics were wide ranging. Paycheck issues, safety issues, Lincpass, training protocols,claims issues, timber permits, temporary and permanent hiring processes, management of personal property, awards procedures, volunteer management, computer programs and many others all were covered during the workshop.

Forest employees turn to the members of the administrative staff for help and answers on topics that often need a quick response for the employee to continue to be able to do their own work. Maintaining a high level of knowledge and customer service is important to the Monongahela admininstrative personnel and the only way they can do this is by taking concentrated time to learn new processes and procedures together.

Because their knowledge and leadership in this arena is so important to keeping the Forest operating, the Forest leadership team supported having ALL administrative personnel attend the workshop for the full session. That meant having offices staffed by people who did not ordinarily work the phones or front desks. More than half of the leadership team members took on at least part of these tasks themselves...probably gaining additional appreciation for the multi-tasking required of frontliners!

In addition to learning new skills and refining old ones, the workshop participants were encouraged to hone their leadership abilities. The session ended with a recogition ceremony before the group disbanded to head home to their units.

Monongahela National Forest firefighters crossed the artifical boundaries separating both forests and regions in the spring of 2008 as they provided assistance on numerous prescribed and wildfires. Located mostly in Virginia, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests also contain small acreages in West Virginia.

Partly because the boundaries adjoin in some places, and partly because there are ecologicial similarities to parts of the two Forests, staff from the Monongahela and the GW-Jeff have cooperated over the years on many projects.

The GW-Jeff has a much larger prescribed fire program than the Monongahela, and tends to have more and larger wildfires, so having MNF firefighters available to assist is valuable. In addition, Monongahela firefighters gained experience without having to travel great distances.

Firefighters from all over the Monongahela assisted the GW-Jeff on 4 wildfires, totalling 9,400 acres. The fire assignments ranged from overhead staff only to a full 20 person crew plus engine and ARGO. Overhead positions provided to the GW-Jeff included Safety Officer (SOF2), Incident Information Officer (PIOFt), Staging Area Manager (STAM), Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3t), and three members of the Southern Area Type 2 Team: an Ordering Manager (ORDM),an Incident Information Officer (PIO2t), and an Equipment Manager (EQPM).

A request for an additional 20 person crew had to be turned down as the mountains in West Virginia were receiving heavy snow and travel in those conditions was deemed too dangerous.

Firefighters from the Monongahela were able to provide their neighbors to the east with assistance on 4 prescribed fires in the GW-Jeff this spring. Sixteen MNF people provided a total of 28 person days on 6,255 acres of controlled burns. One of these was of particular interest as it was the first time the GW-Jeff had a prescribed fire that involved private lands and structures inside the burn area. All burns were deemed successful by the GW-Jeff staff and they were quick to thank and recognize the help from the Monongahela.

Given the increasing training requirements in the fire organization and reduced funding for travel and training, these assignments were just as valuable for Monongahela folks as they were for the recipient Forests who were able to stretch their own resources.

Story submitted by Sharon Hagstrom, Lands Program Manager.

The East Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest added the final piece to the Horseshoe Bay Wilderness (HBW) puzzle with acquisition of the last non-federal tract within the wilderness boundary. Acquisition of the 25.8-acre tract meets Forest Plan and HBW consolidation goals, provides contiguous federal land ownership within the HBW, acquires .25 mile of Lake Huron frontage, connects miles of contiguous federal shoreline frontage which defines the eastern edge of the HBW, eliminates the need for non-federal inholding boundary line, and provides for more efficient wilderness management.

This new partnership allowed the Forest to acquire a highly desirable tract in the Horseshoe Bay Wilderness while contributing to Little Traverse Conservancy's goals for the St. Mary's River Bird Migration Corridor. LTC's willingness to hold the property allowed the Forest to obtain funding with Critical Inholding money (Land & Water Conservation Fund).

Cooperation amd information sharing between members of the Forest Service's Law Enforcement and Investigations branch and the National Forest System branch were evident recently by the rapid alerting of employees of the physical and vehicle descriptions of a wanted fugitive believed to be headed for the Monongahela National Forest.

A holiday weekend, in a popular location, is one of the worst times for such incidents to occur, given that many more people visit the Forest and there are often fewer employees around to keep an eye out for trouble. Fortunately this time the issue was resolved quickly.

On Thursday, May 29, 2008, Forest Service officers were notified that a wanted fugitive from Delaware was believed to be travelling to the Cranberry Glades area of the Forest. Information indicated that the man was suicidal, and considered to be armed and dangerous; possibly in possession of bomb making materials and/or explosives. Forest employees were alerted to avoid contact with the suspect.

The drama was resolved after a family friend located the man in the Cranberry Backcountry and encouraged the fugitive to turn himself in to authorities. He did so to the Pocahontas County 911 center. His vehicle was located in a remote parking area of the Cranberry Glades.

Units of the WV State Police Bomb Squad, and Marlinton Detachment personnel along with Pocahontas County Sheriff's Office and US Forest Service LE&I closed and secured the area. A specialized remote robot was used to approach the vehicle and search for explosives.

No explosives were found but an arsenal of weapons and ammunition along with camping and survival gear was seized. Law enforcement officials were able to reopen the Glades area to the public shortly before midnight.

A gently curving, wide, modern bridge now allows passenger vehicles, motor homes, and log trucks safe passage over the Williams River in the Gauley District of the Monongahela National Forest. Several years of work on both sides of the crossing had brought the Williams River road, and associated campsites, up to a level that increased visitor satisfaction and protected nearby river values. Paving and culvert work had reduced the amount of silt reaching the river, while campsites and sanitation had been improved. The bridge however, remained a bottleneck.

Built in an era when it was acceptable to have one lane bridges and when there was little commerce or recreation activity in the area, the old bridge was located in a sharp curve. The combination of the narrow 12' width and poor approach geometry meant that large trucks or long loads were more than the bridge could handle. With increased traffic in the area, including planned Forest Service timber sales, the old bridge was no longer functional, and concerns were raised about its structural integrity.

The new bridge is 220' long, with two spans supported on 35' columns rising 12' above the stream. With a 24' wide deck and a new alignment, the bridge is safe for log trucks and passenger traffic, and allows for a free flow of the Williams River beneath it. Built mostly by West Virginia contractors, the new bridge came in under contract cost by more than $22,000. Almost without exception the entire process went as smoothly as could be expected of such a large project.

A big success with local residents and visitors alike, the new Williams River bridge attracted sightseers and positive comments even when under construction. The bridge was the next-to-the-last piece of work to be done to complete a multi-year, multi-project undertaking in the area which, when complete in 2008, will have vastly improved Forest Service facilities for many years to come.

With the distinctive odor of wild ramps cooking on open grills in the lunch area, volunteers from the Monongahela National Forest joined dozens of others on Earth Day 2008 to restore an old farm to a native red spruce forest.

The work, done on a steep, scenic mountainside was hard, but very rewarding. Operating under a cooperative agreement between the Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the West Virginia DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and others the project involved 60 members of these groups, along with high school students and members of the landowners' family.

Prior to the massive turn of the century logging in the area, many high elevation ridges in the Monongahela were crowned by dark patches of red spruce, which covered approximately half a million acres. Today only about 50,000 acres of red spruce remain.

Some of these areas still retain seed sources, and from them the red spruce is slowly regaining a foothold in the forest. In others it takes some human intervention to get the process moving. Red spruce habitat is important for several species of threatened or endangered wildlife, including the Virginia northern flying squirrel and the Cheat Mountain salamander.

In an effort to restore at least a portion of the former range, the various signatories to the cooperative agreement have been working on mapping existing areas of red spurce, working with private landowners to encourage planting on their lands, and identifying locations on the Monongahela itself to reintroduce the species.

The Earth Day 2008 red spruce planting effort utilized seedlings grown from native seed to plant about 25 acres of a 350 acre parcel which is surrounded by National forest system lands. By planting spruce on the private land, volunteers were not only recreating a missing habitat, but also connecting it to suitable red spruce habitat on public land, providing connectivity over time for both the spruce and the species which inhabit it.

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 around the Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary. By posting Loda Lake as an Invasive Free Zone and using it as an area for volunteer invasive removal days, the HMNF plans on using the weed free zones as a tool to increase invasive plant awareness in the private sector.

Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary is a special place in many ways, not the least of which is that it is the only designated wildflower sanctuary in the National Forest system, and is home to over 200 species of plants and wildflowers native to Michigan. But a number of those plants are not native to the area. Species such as autumn olive and purple loosestrife have found their way into the Sanctuary, and as they are prone to do, are trying to take over the area.

Initially, the Forests plans to work on removing the invasive species within the Wildflower Sanctuary and expanding outreach focus to include neighboring private properties that are adjacent to the Sanctuary. Currently many species are pulled by hand, bagged and removed from the property. Some species are removed using a hand spray application of glyphosate or a cut stem application to kill the species.

The Garden Clubs of Michigan have been the primary partner to-date in this new effort, however, the Forest has begun an outreach program to find additional members of the local community who would like to assist in this effort.

The Forest has planted over 90 species at Loda since 2005 restoration efforts began. Much of that planting selection is to enhance diversity; however, the greatest volume of seed that has been sown is for creation of a native savanna habitat that would eventually be vigorous enough to withstand or prevent very much non-native invasive species perturbation.

Loda Lake has an interesting and storied history, including a partnership between the Forest Service and the Garden Clubs of Michigan that dates back to the 1930s. In 1937, the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan and the local Newaygo Chapter suggested the need for a wildflower refuge. It was designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a Wildflower Sanctuary on December 15, 1949.

The Garden Clubs of Michigan continue their support to this day and assist in planning and management of Loda Lake.

In 2006 the Huron-Manistee National Forests and the Freemont Area Community Foundation signed an agreement that has enhanced the restoration of and interpretation materials for the Wildflower Sanctuary.

This is another example of the Eastern Region's Courageous Conservation goal of "Protecting Ecosystems Across Boundaries."

On a chilly, partly sunny and windy Sunday in April, the Forest Service Huron Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team held a fire simulation in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Iosco and Alcona County's Emergency Management, city police, sheriff's departments, and volunteer fire departments.

This was an opportunity for the agencies that would be involved in a real wildfire incident to work together and discover where strong and weak areas are in preparation for the real event.

The simulation lasted three hours with approximately 150 participants. The scenario included a wildfire, traffic accident, evacuation responses, dispatching resources, team deployment, training with the Volunteer Fire Departments during the simulation, and an after action review.

The scenario's strong points were how well all agencies meshed with the Incident Command System. All agreed that communications were the weak point. Some suggestions regarding communications were discussed at the after action review and will be looked at and worked on by our radio personnel. A local TV and radio station were present to capture the action.

A tumbling mountain stream, with the enigmatic name of Barrenshe, is lined with hemlock and rhododendron. A Forest Service road curves into the narrow valley and crosses over the stream. Nothing unusual at all for the remote country of the Monongahela National Forest's Gauley Ranger District.

However, the Forest Service road that crosses Barrenshe over a high culvert with a steep drop off on the downhill side is pretty much the only through road in that part of the Forest, so it is well used by local traffic as well as by the Forest Service. When newly arrived Zone Engineer Jay Chapman first saw how poorly marked the approaches were and how easy it was for someone to miss the curve in a fog or other bad weather he was alarmed.

Why were there no guard rails, he asked. What would it take to get them placed? Where could the money come from?

Chapman's persistence, along with strong support from District Ranger Jay Lowe, Zone Engineering Tech Lois Mamak, and Forest Engineer Randall Biller led to the installation of guard rails that now make this crossing highly visible and much safer. Biller advised Chapman to get the project ready to go while funds could be located. By being ready to go, the Forest was able to successfully utilize year-end funding to get the project into contracting.

Originally estimated at $25,000 the project was contracted and built for $22,788, even after a change order became necessary. At a pre-work meeting, Mamak discovered that standard WVDOT details for post-to-structure connections would require modifications for the site due to super elevation of the aggregate surface. Chapman then determined the new specifications and Mamak completed the change order.

Although a small project both in terms of size and cost, the project has big ramifications to overall safety. While no fatalities are known to have occurred at the site, there have been numerous accidents over the years. In only a day and a half of actual construction time following the advance work, the Barrenshe guard rail project has greatly increased the safety of all who travel this quiet corner of the Forest.

Two Chippewa National Forest Employees from the Blackduck Ranger District recently partnered with the Minnesota DNR, Itasca County and Dixon Lake Association in a collaborative effort to eradicate the invasive aquatic plant Curly Leaf Pondweed on Dixon Lake.

Forest Service representatives Jeff Allison and Jason Popowski worked with the Minnesota DNR gathering data in an intensive survey of the plant on Dixon Lake. Over 200 GPS points were layed out in a grid pattern covering the entire lake with vegetation samples taken at each location. With the data collected, the DNR can now better gage the location of the herbicide application process which will begin this spring.

This spring, the Chippewa National Forest's Boy River Prescribed Burn partnership completed one cycle of burning! The prescribed burns occurred each spring for the last five years (2004-2008). The Boy River Prescribed Burn partnership was selected for the 2008 national Wings Across the Americas "Habitat and Partnership" award for habitat improvement affecting the Yellow Rail and for the unique partnership that was developed to implement this fire regime. Partners include the Chippewa National Forest, Leech Lake Division of Resource Management, Cass County, two DNR Regions, and multiple private partners.

There is approximately 7000 acres of land type (LT) 70 (fire dependent wet meadow) within the entire Boy River RX burn boundaries. Each year fire has been applied to several of the 18 different units, usually burning somewhere around 1500 acres per year. The most recent burn to the Boy River Wet Meadows was on completed April 19, 2008, and culminated the first of many fire regime applications to this LT 70. This fire dependent wet meadow has now seen at least one rotation of fire to each part of that ecosystem during the past five spring fire seasons. Some of the primary objectives of this prescribed burn were to reduce the opportunities for arson that threaten the interspersed ownership and adjacent structures, and better protect the Boy River community (on national list of Communities at Risk). The burn also helped restore and maintain large wet meadow communities in their desired open condition, thus restoring/maintaining habitat conditions for sedge meadow associated wildlife species, including Yellow Rail, several species of Sparrow, and Ring necked ducks. The Boy River Wet Meadow ecosystem has been determined to have the highest population of Yellow Rail (listed on the Regional Foresters Sensitive Species list) within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and in the State of Minnesota as stated by the Wildlife experts from both agencies.

The Boy River burn was one of three prescribed burns on the Chippewa this spring for a total of 2619 acres. Prescribed burns have proven to be a great pre-fire season equipment readiness opportunity. Each year the burns have provided an opportunity for several employees to work on task books to meet some of their training needs and requirements.

The 2009 season will start a new rotation of fire application as determined by all agency partners at a summer 2008 partnership meeting.

Ron Doyle, Program Support Clerk and Noah Williams, Office Automation Clerk, on the Hoosier National Forest volunteered to organize the Forest's recycling efforts. In short order the two former Navy men had the chaos that was the recycling program on the Hoosier whipped into order and what had been a laborious task was streamlined.

After a few weeks on the job Doyle came up with an innovative idea. On a weekly basis 6-8 large plastic bags were filled with paper and taken to the recycle center. They were usually too torn and stretched to reuse so were then recycled. The cost of the plastic bags on average was about $37.00 per hundred. Doyle thought there had to be a better solution to get the Forest's paper to the recycling center.

Thinking back to his days as a Navy Chief he recalled the large canvas laundry bags the Navy used. After some research he was able to purchase two of the canvas re-usable bags for $17.49 each. The bags have a life of several years of use and if they get too dirty, Doyle said he's happy to take them home to wash them. He's now working on a way to mount one of the bags in the copy room so people can throw recyclable paper directly into the bag which would save him transferring the paper from the large trashcan currently in the room.

Doyle grins happily, "It's just one more way of reducing cost and waste."

Contributed by Mark Bruhy, Chequamegon-Nicolet NF

Top Photo: A view of Hidden Lakes Trail

Bottom Photo: Interpretive team members, from left, Rainey Kreis, giiwe Martin, and Theresa Ford

The Butternut-Franklin lakes area, located east of Eagle River in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, is distinguished by its scenic beauty and ecological diversity. Increasingly, hikers have been drawn to the area and to accommodate access, the Hidden Lakes Trail was developed in the 1990's. The 13 mile trail encircles the Butternut-Franklin lakes area and passes through numerous scenic vistas. Though largely unknown to trail users, it also crosses through or nearby 20 archaeological sites that represent a 4,000 year continuum of Native American settlement and history.

A concentration of inter-related and undisturbed archaeological resources of this nature is rare, and consequently, its importance was recently recognized through designation as the Butternut-Franklin Lakes Area National Register of Historic Places Archaeological District. The numerous investigations that led to this designation were conducted over a 30 year period and a variety of partners participated. They include Nicolet College, Northland College, Beloit College, Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group, Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, Butternut-Franklin Lakes Foundation, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Further, hundreds of individuals were recruited to participate in these investigations through the Forest Service's Passport in Time volunteer program.

While the success of the archaeological research was based on collaboration, so too was the Hidden Lakes Trail born of a broad spectrum of partnerships. Those who helped build the trail include Wheaton College's Honey Rock Camp, who provided student labor in trail construction. Inmates from McNaughton Correctional Center, assigned to community service projects, were important contributors. The Wisconsin Conservation Corps also lent a hand as did members of the John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club. Today volunteers from the Butternut-Franklin lakes area continue to help maintain the trail.

With the trail established and well-used, and the District's historic significance affirmed, there was an obvious need to bring the remarkable story of Native settlement to the attention of trail users. To do so the Forest Service turned to yet another partner, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), for help with the development of interpretative media. UWSP Department of Environmental Education and Interpretation faculty enthusiastically accepted our request for help and handed the task to two graduate students. To ensure the Native perspective was accurately and respectfully reflected in the interpretive media, the Forest Service approached Ms. giiwegiizhigookway Martin, Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, and she graciously agreed to serve as project consultant.

With Ms. Martin's advice and suggestions, students Theresa Ford and Rainey Kreis completed an interpretive plan in 2007. And, with funding provided by the Butternut-Franklin Lakes Foundation and the Eastern National Forest Interpretive Association, three interpretive panels were recently fabricated and have been placed in a trailside kiosk. Trail users will continue to enjoy the scenic beauty of this remarkable area, and they will now also better understand how Native peoples call this area their home for thousands of years.

To celebrate the popularity of the trail as well as the establishment of the National Register District, a ceremony and celebration is scheduled to take place on June 7th, National Trails Day. It will be hosted by the Butternut-Franklin Lake Foundation and the Forest Service.

In 1908, Minnesota women did not have the right to vote - yet they successfully campaigned for the Act of May 23, 1908 signed by President Theodore Roosevelt to create the Minnesota National Forest, the first located in the eastern United States.

Sixteen employees of current day Chippewa National Forest (renamed in 1928) fashioned the Cetennial quilt. Located in northern Minnesota, many of the 130 employees donated fabric, money, ideas and provided support to this project. Over 300 voluntary hours were dedicated in 6 weeks to complete the quilt.

The Design

Ojibwe beadwork inspired the handstitched velvet blocks. The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation are the only place in the nation where a national forest and reservation overlay each other almost completely.

The U.S. Forest Service shield, green uniform shirts and pants, and yellow fire-fighting Nomex fabrics represent our work and workers.

Historic photos show traditional Ojibwe forest activities, unique places on Chippewa National Forest, and the log headquarters office still in use today.

Fish, Soil, Water, Wildlife, Trees, and Recreation are pieces of our 100 years of natural resource management. Representative fabrics are from Emily's Quilt Shop, Bemidji, MN. Machine quilting by Jill Mistic of Bemidji, MN.

Thanks to the dedicated work of Chippewa National Forest employees and the early campaign of the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs for starting the Chippewa National Forest on our next 100 years!

It has been several years since the Allegheny National Forest conducted prescribed burning of warm season grass fields in the Buzzard Swamp Management area and the Hall Barn site.

Buzzard swamp is an approximately 4,000 acre management area for waterfowl and other species dependant on aquatic ecosystems. Approximately 300 acres is kept in cool season and warms season grasses with assistance from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

This spring 25 acres of the fields were burned. The primary objective of this project was to burn a specific area of warm season grasses that were starting to decline and revert to other vegetation due to lack of management. This field was planted 8 years ago and has never been burned or mowed which allowed woody plants to start invading. Through the use of fire the Marienville Ranger District was able to set back the woody vegetation interference and reinvigorate the warm season grasses.

In addition to Buzzard Swamp, the Allegheny National Forest burned several acres in an area known as the Hall Barn. This area consists of several acres of Big Blue Stem and switch grass for wildlife habitat adjacent to a large old barn that houses several thousand bats, including maternity colonies.

This area has been planned for over 5 years to have the warm season grass units burned. Due to the small burn windows on the ANF when weather conditions are right, crews and equipment are available and a burn boss is on staff, regular maintenance of these much needed habitats is very difficult.

More prescribed burning is planned for the future on the Allegheny National Forest to improve wildlife habitat and promote growth of native Forbes and Grasses. In addition to the burning, the militia fire fighters got a chance to participate in prescribed burns and gained some valuable experience. For some people, this was the first fire experience they have had on or off forest.

A special thanks goes to Peter To, an FMO from the Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie, for taking the time to come to the Allegheny National Forest to help us with the burns.

It is not unusual to see Huron National Forest fire personnel conducting prescribed burns. In fact, during the 2008 spring season, crews have safely accomplished 14 prescribed burns to date, encompassing approximately 3500 acres of Forest Service lands.

However, the prescribed burn that occurred on April 29 was unusual in that it took place on the 26 acres of Forest Service land around the brand new Mio District Ranger Station complex. The new facility was completed in 2006 and prior to the burn, was surrounded by land containing high levels of hazardous fuels.

If a wildfire event were to occur, both the new Forest Service buildings as well as the neighboring residences and businesses would be at an elevated risk of potential damage.

"We always talk the talk about the value of prescribed burns in reducing hazardous levels of fuel loading," said Huron NF Fire Management Officer Chris Johnson. "It was time for us to walk the walk."

April 29 was chosen as the day to conduct the prescribed burn because of the specific weather conditions that were present. Temperatures were cool and helped to keep the fire at a low intensity. Also, the winds were slight and were moving in a direction that kept the majority of the smoke away from populated areas.

When the decision was made to conduct the prescribed burn on the morning of the 29th, fire personnel went door-to-door informing businesses and adjacent residents of the plans for the day. The burn was ignited at noon and was completed by 4:00 PM.

The fire was ignited slowly and in sections that were staffed and observed by fire personnel. The smoke column drifted away from the site to the southeast. During the burn, visibility along the adjacent highway was fine. Fire personnel directed traffic on a secondary road for a short time to ensure public safety. During the burn, the Mio District office remained open for business as usual.

Employees continued with their duties and customers were able to come in and do business. Following the burn, fire personnel worked onsite to monitor the smoke and to ensure that the fire was completely out.

Planning for this prescribed burn took more than a year and involved site analysis and examination of the anticipated environmental effects. Concerns were raised by members of the public during the planning phases which were taken into consideration in the development of the project.

The primary concerns were regarding the effects of smoke in town and the potential for the fire to escape from the prescribed area. By choosing the right day and the right weather conditions, the possibility for either to happen was greatly decreased.

Assistant Fire Management Officer Charlie Patterson was very pleased with the end results of the prescribed burn.

"All aspects of the prescribed burn went smoothly and there was a minimum disturbance to the community," Patterson explained. "We met our objectives of reducing fuels and re-introducing fire into the environment."

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 public lands. The focus of their efforts this year included clean-up of a former dump site near Luzerne and removal of scrap materials from a site near the Bull Gap trailhead south of Mio.

Work at the former dump site will continue later this year when trees will be planted to help revegetate and naturalize the area.

Two large dumpsters were filled as a result of the clean-up efforts. One ten-yard dumpster was completely filled with scrap steel that will be recycled locally. The total revenue from recycling the metal was $562 and these funds will help to offset the cost of disposal.

The dumpsters for the project were secured through a partnership with the Adopt-a-Forest program of the Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests. To find out more about efforts to help keep Michigan forests clean, visit their website at: www.cleanforests.org

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced today the protection of 1,135 acres of natural land located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.

Large contiguous parcels, like the 1,055-acre Moose Lake property, are relatively uncommon within the CNNF. The tract contains two small lakes and 50 acres of wetlands. An additional 80 acres includes frontage on Little Cranberry Lake and adjoins the 1,040-acre Venison Creek parcel protected last year.

"Wisconsin is losing lakefront and forest properties like this at an alarming rate, and this is a particularly special place," said Shaun Hamilton, TPL's Northwoods Initiative Director. "Thanks to the leadership of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, TPL, working with the Forest Service and Plum Creek Timber Company, who was willing to be a partner is this effort, was able to move quickly to protect this shoreline for the public."

The property and the national forest share a common eight-mile boundary. TPL secured the property from Plum Creek Timber Company using its Northwoods Land Protection Fund, a capital revolving fund established to support high-priority conservation projects. The CNNF then purchased the land from TPL through an appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), with the strong support of Wisconsin's congressional delegation including U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative David R. Obey (WI-7), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

"The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is one of the most magnificent areas of our state, and I'm pleased that these conservation efforts are moving forward to protect this land for generations to come," Sen. Kohl said. "It's a proud and important Wisconsin tradition to preserve these valued wildlife and recreation areas, and I applaud The Trust for Public Land and the U.S. Forest Service for their dedication to this project."

"Like most of the public lands east of the Mississippi River, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest was protected in fits and starts, as donors and willing sellers offered their land to the government to create a patchwork of forestland," said Rep. Obey. "This process continues today, and because the government isn't always ready to buy when the landowner is willing to sell, TPL provides an important bridge to make the process work so the character of the Northwoods is protected for our children and we can all enjoy these special places."

Large in holdings, such as the Moose Lake tract are essential to maintaining quality recreation for the public, providing watershed protection and viable habitat for wide-ranging animals. The CNNF is home to gray wolf, elk, fisher and a variety of other game and non-game animals. The recreational demands on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which receives 2.5 million visitors annually, are steadily increasing due to the influx of second home development.

The action announced today was the result of a strong partnership among the Forest Service, TPL and Plum Creek Timber Company who worked together in a conservation solution instead of subdividing the land. Subdividing of forest lands creates a kind of "Swiss cheese effect," with pockets of different types of ownership scattered throughout the forest. This type of fragmented development raises the very real threat of less accessible land for hunting and public recreation, greater degradation of lakes, streams and forests, more loss of timber jobs, and a dramatic decline in wildlife habitat and wildlife.

"The US Forest Service recognizes the unique attributes of Wisconsin's Northwoods. On the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest we believe supporting a land acquisition program that is focused on acquisition of undeveloped lakefront properties and the consolidation of publicly owned land will enhance public benefits such as additional recreation opportunities, continued public access and the conservation of open spaces. We are pleased this property near Moose Lake will become a part of the CNNF and be available for current and future generations of forest users." says Forest Supervisor, Jeanne Higgins.

"We are extremely pleased to be a partner in helping conserve this unique part of Wisconsin," said Lynn Wilson, General Manager for Plum Creek's Lake States Region. "We recognize that many of our lands have special qualities that make them truly one of a kind treasures, and we commend the hard work, cooperation and foresight of all the partners to make this conservation project a reality."

The Wisconsin Wild Waterways program has been supported through annual funding through the Land and Water Conservation fund and over the last ten years has completed the protection of more than 10,000 acres and more than 10 miles of undeveloped shoreline along critical lakes and streams.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), established in 1972, is a national nonprofit land conservation organization specializing in conservation real estate, applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Across the nation, TPL has helped protect more than 2.2 million acres. Through its Northwoods Initiative, a regional conservation program focused on northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, TPL is assisting communities and public agencies in identifying and protecting sensitive and threatened lands. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its land for people mission. For more information about TPL visit www.tpl.org.

By: Monica Neal

This year was the 19th annual environmental educational program hosted by the University of Illinois, in partnership with the Shawnee National Forest, at the University's Resource Center in Pope County, Illinois.

This four-day program has over 35 activity stations set up around their facility grounds that children, kindergarten through 6th grade, can attend to learn about the environment. The stations' topics included environmental education games, the weather, caves (a temporary mock cave was built on the site), nature hikes, fire prevention and much more. This year the program hosted 3,188 students, bringing the 19-year total to over 55,000 students who have experienced this hands-on environmental education adventure. For the first time this year a "second generation" child attended Stewardship Week. What a great feeling this must have been for event coordinator, University of Illinois Forest Resource Center Interim Director, Diane Murphy.

The Stewardship Week program has won regional awards in the past and continues to maintain excellent educational standards. The Forest is only one of the several agencies and partners from southern Illinois who donate time, money or both to this worthwhile program that reaches so many children each year. Besides the hosting Forest Resource Center and the Forest, other agencies and organizations that participate each year include the Trees Forever, the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the University of Illinois Extension Office, the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Southern 7 Health Department, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Southeastern Illinois Electric Coop, the Southern Illinois Electric Coop, the USDI - Fish and Wildlife Service - Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area, 12 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Quail Unlimited River Oaks Chapter, the National Wild Turkey Federation Shawnee Hills Longbeards Chapter, the Pope County Sportsman Club, WSIL - Channel 3 TV and WSPD - Channel 6 TV.

This is definitely a program that connects children to the land and teaches them about protecting ecosystems across boundaries.

By: Monica Neal

The Shawnee National Forest's Green Team purchased recyclable shopping bags to sell to employees, family and friends as a green project to help reduce the amount of plastic used to bag purchases from grocery stores, discount stores or anywhere else they might shop.

The Shawnee's cloth bags are in several colors with the Forest logo and "Go Green, Shawnee National Forest" printed on them. Forest employees support has been excellent and after only being available to purchase for a week, a re-order is already being discussed. The idea for using cloth bags for shopping is common, but other uses have been suggested. One or two employees are buying them to use as gift bags. Not only do you avoid using wrapping paper or paper gift bags that end up in land-fills, but you are also including a reusable shopping bag as part of the gift, and at little to no additional cost.

The commonly used plastic shopping bags are made from polyethylene, a petroleum product and can take as long as 500 years to degrade. Meantime the discarded plastic bags hang from trees, catch on power lines, float on oceans and lakes and clog storm drains, killing birds, fish, turtles and sea mammals unfortunate enough to ingest them or become entangled in them. According to the Worldwatch Institute, an environmental research and advocacy group in Washington, D. C., less than 1 percent of the 100 billion plastic bags Americans throw away each year are recycled.

This is just another step in the Shawnee's quest to support the Forest Service's "Green" mission by walking the talk for sustainability.

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, the Marienville Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest hosted an Open House for the general public showcasing management practices for natural resource stewardship. Sixty-three members of the public enjoyed information and displays related to specific areas of resource management, including archaeology, recreation, silviculture, timber marking, and wildlife.

A highlight of the afternoon was Bob Zumstein, Field Team Leader for Site Assessment and Inventory Project for Pennsylvania Timber Rattlesnakes with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Bob provided information on timber rattlesnakes and included a display of live snakes during the Open House.

The real estate advertisement read: "This tremendous piece of real estate includes a bar, living quarters, and a large garage on approximately 33.51 acres with 900+/- feet of shoreline on Picket Lake. Property directly adjoins the BWCAW and features a beautiful creek that flows into Mudro Lake. This secluded location is one of the most popular entry points into the BWCAW. This setting is truly one-of-a-kind and the possibilities are endless!"

Despite the glowing description, no serious buyers responded.

Since 1988, two sisters owned and operated the popular establishment known as the Chainsaw Sisters Saloon located approximately 18 miles from Ely, Minnesota, off of the Echo Trail on the Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. The name came from the fact that, earlier in their careers, Michele Richards and Marlene Zorman had worked with chainsaws doing stand thinning work for the Forest Service.

In 2006, they decided to sell their business, including the property, and move on.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and the Forest Service were keenly aware how "tremendous" this opportunity was to establish permanent and free public access to a beautiful setting and to Boundary Waters Canoe Aarea Wilderness Entry point number 23 into Mudro Lake and the area beyond.

TPL joined with the "Friends" to work out a deal to secure and hold the property until the U.S. Forest Service would be able to purchase the land and add it to the Superior National Forest. Nationally, the Trust for Public Land often leverages funds and facilitates transfer of properties to public agencies. In this case, the owners were glad to negotiate an agreement that met their financial goals while allowing the Forest Service to obtain the property and manage it for the public good.

TPL has an interim agreement with the Forest Service to maintain and operate the parking lot and they are working to salvage and remove the buildings prior to deeding the land to the Forest Service. Memorabilia that once decorated the saloon, including photos, old chainsaws, etc., have been saved and moved to an informal museum of sorts in Ely.

TPL plans to auction some unique pieces, such as the 18-foot long bar top, with proceeds to go to the Edge of the Wilderness Funds which will be used to help purchase other important properties adjacent to the BWCAW.

The saloon was a favorite stop for visitors including people on their way in or out of the BWCAW. Many will miss the cold drinks and comfortable atmosphere the Chainsaw Sisters provided for 18 years. However, in the long run, this is one real estate deal that makes the public a winner.

In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey and R9 Regional Forester Kent Connaughton teamed up with Detroit Urban Connections to plant a sugar maple tree at The Henry Ford's Greenfield Village on April 29.

They were assisted by students from The Henry Ford Academy in planting the large sugar maple. The tree was planted on the Village Green and will provide shade and beauty for millions of THF visitors to enjoy. The planting was also attended by THF's mounted historic ranger.

Following the planting Rey and Connaughton took time to tour THF and learn more about the many facets of the Region's long standing partnership with The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village.

"This was a splendid opportunity for me to get a first-hand look at our partnership with The Henry Ford, and it gave the Undersecretary a chance to examine some larger connections for the Department of Agriculture," Connaughton said.