By Bryn Tiernan
2025 Stewardship Intern
This summer pushed me in many challenging ways, but it also became one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. While I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors, my experiences were usually limited to simple day hikes or swimming in oceans with friends. The Allagash offered me a whole new perspective on wilderness, giving me the chance to truly connect with nature while being able to explore and work in a beautiful, remote place alongside amazing people.
Arriving at base camp, I didn’t know what to expect. After meeting everyone and learning more about our work, I became more excited. Through spending every day together, we formed a very close bond. I think this also helped us when it came to the work aspect, too. There were times we were overly tired from the heat and just wanted to go swim in the lake, but we kept pushing and motivating each other. There was a special level of trust that was formed between us all. We could count on each other to do great, meaningful work in the time given. We also knew that at the end of the day, we could come together and have a great time, share life stories, go on a little paddle trip, or just cook a good meal.
It was incredibly rewarding to witness the tangible results of our completed projects. I gained knowledge of stone work, erosion control, trail maintenance, and the art of tent pad creation that I would never have thought of without the NFCT. My favorite project was building the accessible privy alongside the roving crew at the end of the summer. It was rewarding to know that what we created together is able to allow so many people to enjoy such an amazing place. We also got to interact with the community on the Allagash, from the rangers, various summer camps, and paddling experts. These people helped emphasize the importance of the Allagash as a whole and our work. Knowing that they appreciate the new stone steps or a comfortable tent pad is rewarding. Seeing the community interacting with everything was so special!
The NFCT has introduced me to an amazing community. Though I was able to learn immensely from the hands-on experiences every day, the people I met taught me the most. Tana, Brett, the volunteers, and our fearless crew leader, Nick, represented the collection of many different passions, experiences, and knowledge into one amazing, hard-working, driven team. Despite crazy winds, extremely hot days, and the days with no mint Oreos, they all taught me how to be more resilient and think creatively. The experience on the Allagash and the NFCT allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and more fully appreciate the importance of nature and its preservation, alongside my own passions.
