Voices from the Trail
Category: Stewardship
In good company
Trailwork is teamwork. Just about every stone step I placed this summer weighs more than I do. I learned this lesson early on, after an attempt to move a stone solo deposited the rock in the opposite direction of where…
135,000 pounds
135,000 pounds. That’s my calculation of how many pounds of stone, timber, and gravel our stewardship crew and its partners moved, installed, and fretted over this summer. Physics tells us that work is “a measure of energy transfer that occurs…
Grateful for landowners who support public access
Some of the best outdoor adventures rely on the right mix of public and private lands. The board and staff of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail are eternally grateful to our landowner partners in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New…
Vermont welcomes input on outdoor recreation planning
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail urges its partners to participate in the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s online surveys to gather input on the next Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). An open host will be held Tuesday,…
Relying on determination, support and humor
My forearms were burning as I swung the double-jack down on the rebar. We were nearing the end of a 10- hour day on the Missisquoi River in northern Vermont. It was our second week of training in early June,…
A waterway work trip at Raquette Falls
In 2011 I was searching “Google” and discovered the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and immediately I was enamored. I spent several days reading about the organization and decided to become a member. Seriously what could be better: a 740 mile…
2017 Stewardship Season Recap
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail field season is always a whirlwind, and this year was no exception. NFCT staff, interns, and volunteers completed a myriad of projects across the Northern Forest. Get a glimpse in the following video recap: Highlights…
Stewardship Intern Reflects On Rewarding Summer
Working as a stewardship intern for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail was at times a whirlwind of activity and at other times a peaceful experience. This reflects the rivers that NFCT follows, often slow and meandering, yet occasionally they become…
In Praise of Tent Life
The Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius once suggested that, from time to time, we spend a few nights sleeping on the ground. It didn’t really matter where it was – it could even be right next to the bed we usually…
Life On The Trail
The question I received most frequently this summer was “Wisconsin, eh, how’d you end up all the way out here?” The answer to that is simple. I was sitting in my grimy college house living room exploring options for what…