By Noah Pollock, Trail Director
Another successful stewardship season is in the books! We were fortunate to have Nick Hall and Ethan Israel return to lead our roving and Allagash crews this summer. Their experience and passion for the waterways and trails are tremendous assets to the NFCT. A huge thank-you also goes to our stewardship interns—Sam Cockerham, Erin Dooley, Molly Laughton, Grace Brazee, Brodie Bard, and Regan Anderson—who poured their hearts into our projects. We were also joined by an incredible group of 65 volunteers on our waterway work trips. It was truly a community effort!
The season began along the Ammonoosuc River, where our team built two river access points, including setting more than 30 stone steps. Our roving crew then headed to New York to revitalize the Deerland Carry, spruce up Valcour Island campsites, and improve the McCasland Bridge access and Union Falls North campsite. Next, the team tackled two access projects along Vermont’s Missisquoi River before heading to New Hampshire to improve accessibility at two Umbagog Lake campsites. In Maine, the crew constructed a 170-foot boardwalk along the Gull Pond Stream Carry and partnered with the Allagash crew to build an accessible privy and access trail at Pump Handle Campsite on Eagle Lake.
Our Allagash crew focused on addressing stewardship needs along a series of campsites on Eagle Lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. In partnership with the Maine Conservation Corps, the crew constructed stone steps, tent pads, improved access trails, privy trails, and accessibility. They also built two timber staircases at the Big Brook North and South campsites along the river.
The NFCT’s work is made possible through strong partnerships, and this season was no exception. Thank you to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, the Upper Missisquoi and Trout River Committee, the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the Maine Forestry Museum, and New Hampshire State Parks for their support and collaboration.
It’s hard to believe this was my 20th season involved with the NFCT stewardship program! The satisfying projects and camaraderie of this summer remind me why I love this work. Our program has grown and evolved over the years, but its heart remains the same: engaging students and community members in meaningful, hands-on service to care for the waterways. I hope you have been out there to enjoy the product of our labors!
