Welcome! The NCTA’s Insight blog is your source for extended coverage and inside information on what’s happening on and around the North Country Trail.
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Nominations for NCTA Annual Awards are now being accepted through May 10, 2010. Any current NCTA member may nominate someone for an award. The nominees themselves need not be current members of the NCTA. Award nominations should include the following:
- Nominee’s Name
- Award for which nomination is being made
- A brief description of the nominee’s service and/or your reason for the nomination.
- A picture of the nominee
- Your name (so we know who made the nomination)
Nominations can be submitted several ways:
- By mail: NCTA, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331
- By FAX: (616) 897-6605
- Online:
VANGUARD AWARD
Theme: Legislator or public servant
Number per year: up to 2
Criteria: A legislator or other public official whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the North Country Trail.
Presentation: Preferably at a public event by an official of the NCTA
FRIEND OF THE TRAIL AWARD
Theme: Employee of a partner agency or organization
Number per year: Up to 2
Criteria: An employee of a unit of government or an organization whose leadership, Accommodation and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail.
Presentation: at the NCTA Annual Conference
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Theme: Significant commitment and accomplishments over ten or more years
Number per year: 1
Criteria: An individual, in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Service may be performed in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Presentation: At the Annual Conference
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Theme: Significant commitment and accomplishments over three or more years
Number per year: 1-3
Criteria: An individual, in recognition of exceptional volunteer service in furthering the goals of the NCTA, and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Not more than one of these awards may be granted each year to an individual who is not a member of the NCTA or an Affiliate.
Presentation: At the Annual Conference
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Theme: Corporation or Foundation contributor
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A business or foundation for far-sighted vision and support, demonstrated by significant contribution(s) to the NCT or the NCTA.
Presentation: Preferably at a public event by an official of the NCTA
TRAIL BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Theme: Trail or facilities construction
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer, whose work in NCT construction, planning, or negotiations have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
TRAIL MAINTAINER OF THE YEAR
Theme: Trail or facilities maintenance
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements over the past year in maintaining or restoring pre-existing North Country Trail segment(s).
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Theme: Leadership
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership leading to significant local achievements or highly successful events.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
OUTREACH AWARD
Theme: Building support and partnerships
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer, whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the North Country Trail.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Theme: Communications or Promotion
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer, for exemplary work in promoting the North Country Trail or the NCTA through a communications medium (newsletter, website, brochure, etc.) or personal contacts.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
RISING STAR AWARD
Theme: Youth
Number per year: 1
Criteria: A volunteer between the ages of 8 and 18, who has made significant contributions to the North Country Trail, and whose dedication to the NCT and the NCTA sets an example to other youths and shows exceptional promise.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
SWEEP AWARD
Theme: Working behind the scenes
Number presented: 1 – 3
Criteria: A volunteer, for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the North Country Trail or the NCTA.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
BLUE BLAZES BENEFACTOR AWARD
Theme: Individual or household benefactor
Number per year: 1
Nominees sought from: Development Committee, NCTA staff
Criteria: An individual or household demonstrating vision and generosity through significant monetary or in-kind contribution(s) to the NCT or the NCTA.
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference
CHAPTER HONOR AWARD
Theme: Outstanding Chapter/Affiliate Volunteer
Number presented: 1 per Chapter/Affiliate
Nominees sought from: Chapter leaders, NCTA members
Criteria: An individual or household who demonstrates loyalty, commitment and hard work annually to the local organization’s chosen activities
Presentation: Announced at NCTA Annual Conference with presentation given at Chapter/Affiliate level event
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Yes, it’s true…the NCT turns the big 3-0 today. It was on March 5, 1980 that Congress amended the National Trails System Act to officially designate the North Country National Scenic Trail!
Thanks go to Tom Gilbert of the National Park Service, all the trail partners across the 7-states, and all the current and former North Country Trail volunteers for making the last 30 years so memorable.
Everybody sing “Happy Birthday” in the Trail’s honor…
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Picture of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC
On March 17th, the Arrowhead Re-route bill will be discussed in a hearing of the Senate’s Energy & Natural Resources Committee’s National Parks subcomittee. The bill’s (S. 553) official title is “The North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act of 2009” was introduced on 3-9-09 by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Al Franken, Minnesota’s junior senator, just recently joined the list of co-sponsors. Thanks again go to Senators Klobuchar and Franken for their leadership!
The NCTA and NPS will be offering written testimony supporting S. 553.
Details:
- Wednesday, March 17 @ 2:30pm in the Energy Committee’s hearing room (SD-366).
- It is not know at this time if this hearing will be webcast or not. Check the Committee’s web page closer to the 17th. More info is available online at the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee’s hearing schedule website.
What can folks do to help out?
- NCTA members and friends from ND should contact Sen. Byron Dorgan and ask for his support. He has yet to sign onto S. 553 as a co-sponsor.
- NCTA members and friends from VT could contact Sen. Bernie Sanders and ask for his support.
- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who also sits on the National Parks subcommittee, has already publicly supported S. 553. NCTA members and friends from MI can thank her for her continued support.
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Sporting custom hike t-shirts and enjoying the hike's namesake: cherry pie!
Those who opted for the long hike got first dibs on pie, listening to their presentation at the Old Stone House before setting out on the hike.
Each year, the Butler Chapter of the NCTA, along with NCTA affiliate Butler Outdoor Club, the Slippery Rock University Old Stone House, and the North Country Brewing Co. hold the Cherry Pie Hike on the Saturday closest to George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22). A multi-faceted program, the event consists of a history presentation at the Old Stone House, a hike on the North Country Trail commemorating Washington’s 1753 journey through Western Pennsylvania, and a cherry pie reception paying homage to the legendary “George Washington and the Cherry Tree” story we’ve all heard since childhood. Hikers also have the option of joining the Butler Chapter for dinner at North Country Brewing after the hike.
Because of amplified promotion and communications efforts, this year’s Cherry Pie Hike, held on February 20, 2010, drew an incredible public response, with over 80 hike attendees calling to RSVP in the weeks before the event, and additional walk-in hikers on the day of the hike! Because of the large numbers, the Butler Chapter divided the group based on hiking preference, sending one-mile and two-mile hikers out on their hikes while long-hikers listened to their presentation at the Old Stone House.
Dr. Aaron Cowan at the Old Stone House
Slippery Rock University history professor and Old Stone House curator Dr. Aaron Cowan gave a presentation, titled “Beyond the Cherry Tree: George Washington and Early Americans’ Complicated Relationship with Nature,” in which he entertained visitors with a dramatic reading of the tale of George Washington and the cherry tree and enlightened them about Washington and his contemporaries’ perspectives on “wilderness.”
Snowshoeing at Jennings Environmental Center
Additionally, on this sunny day, with temperatures just below freezing and plenty of snow on the ground, this year’s Cherry Pie Hike provided a perfect opportunity for snowshoeing at neighboring Jennings Environmental Center. Here, hikers could try out snowshoeing and cross-country skiing free of charge thanks to the friendly and dedicated staff at Jennings.
Many hikers took advantage of the opportunity to order Cherry Pie Hike t-shirts, which were custom designed and offered for the first time this year as a way to promote the Cherry Pie Hike and the NCTA Butler Chapter.
Overall, the day was a tremendous success, providing diverse options that catered to novice and experienced hikers alike!
To see more pictures from this year’s Cherry Pie Hike, visit: The NCTA Facebook Album, The Butler Outdoor Club Photojournal, and Dave Brewer (Wampum Chapter)’s Album
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SNEWS - Backpacker 2010 Outdoor Retailer of the Year
Photo of the iconic Midwest Mountaineering storefront
The North Country Trail Association would like to congratulate the fine folks at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, MN for their selection as SNEWS-Backpacker Magazine’s 2010 Outdoor Retailer of the Year. Midwest, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010, was nominated by over 100 people…many of them, no doubt, satisfied Midwest customers.
They have supported many trail groups and outdoor non-profits in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the North Country Trail Association. Their motto is “Sharing Passion for the Outdoors.” They certainly do that during their biannual Outdoor Adventure Expos. Be sure to check out the 50th Expo this April 23-25 and tell them CONGRATS!!!
On their website, they say…
“That’s right folks – we’ve just been selected as the Outdoor Retailer of the Year by Backpacker Magazine and SNEWS. A big huge THANK YOU to you – OUR CUSTOMERS – for your support over the past year(s). We enjoy working for you!”
We certainly enjoy having Midwest Mountaineering as a friend of the North Country Trail. They are a fantastic company and are well deserving of the Outdoor Retailer of the Year recognition!
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Part of the group at the 2010 NCTA Sled Riding Party at Chapman State Park
Considering all the snow we’ve had in Pennsylvania since the start of 2010, last Saturday was the perfect timing for the Allegheny National Forest Chapter’s annual sled riding party! Around 17 people, including members from all four PA chapters, traveled to Chapman State Park in Clarendon, PA for the party. The blustery conditions that made for poor driving conditions also guaranteed that the sled riding hill would be in the best form for winter fun!
Chapman Dam Road: Feb. 13, 2010- When you drive a non-4WD vehicle, and you find yourself on this road, sharing the lane with snomobiles, your GPS might be attempting to kill you...
Joyce & Paul- Trying out sled #2... Sled #1 held its ground, crawling along (when it moved at all), being left in the snow-dust of all the sleds whizzing by it. Sled #2 wasn't much better, so Joyce and Paul took to their skis!
Jason & Julie of the ANF Chapter with their awesome tie-dyed sleds
Heading back to the warming hut for fireside snacks and conversation
Sled riding and cross-country skiing were speckled with trips to the warming hut, which enticed visitors with its toasty fire, hot chocolate, and cornucopia of dishes. From hot dogs, beans, and soup, to pumpkin spice bread, apple streusel, even ice cream sandwiches- Both NCTA members and new friends converged on the warming hut for good food and good conversation. A fun-filled day was had by all!
This year has brought plenty of snow trail-wide, and it has to melt away to Spring sooner or later (right?), so make the most of it! Get out and have fun in the snow it while it lasts!
A silly picture outside the warming hut at the 2010 ANF Chapter Sled Riding Party
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Complied by Tana Turonie, Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association
Invasive species of plants, animals and pathogens are on the landscape and thus our trails. The following Best Management Practices (BMP) are intended to:
a)help reduce the likelihood of invasive species introductions, and, b)help control the effects of invasive species when they do arrive.
BMP-1 Learn to recognize invasive species common to the area you are in. Very helpful Internet sources are: Invasive Plants Association of WI at www.ipaw.org , Midwest Invasive Plant Network at www.mipn.org , Wisconsin DNR at http://.dnr.wi.gov/invasives, plus brochures and trail signage.
BMP-2 Wear outer clothing layers and footwear that is less conducive to collecting seeds or other plant parts.
BMP-3 Inspect and clean hair, clothing, footwear and gear before and after recreating. Do this at a trailhead, road or parking lot. Do NOT do this in or near a waterway.
BMP-4 Inspect and clean off coat and feet of animals and their clothing/gear before and after recreating. Do this at a trailhead, road or parking lot. Do NOT do this in or near a waterway.
BMP-5 Place materials found during inspection and cleaning in a bag and dispose of properly.
BMP-6 Avoid picking any plants or plant parts unless you have a permit.
BMP-7 Use local firewood ONLY.
BMP-8 Stay on designated trails, roads and other developed areas(ex. Tent pads).
BMP-9 Report invasive species infestations to the trail chairperson, property owner or land manager.
More complete details of these BMP’s are on the Wisconsin Forestry website at www.council.wisconsinforestry.org
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Photo of the NCT's western terminus with Lake Sakakwea in the background
In an effort to share what’s happening with North Dakota members and to promote some upcoming events in North Dakota, we put together the Prairie Hiker (nd-newsletter-winter-2010, PDF – 1.1MB) – a statewide newsletter that will be mailed out this week to current & recently lapsed members living in North Dakota.
Inside the issue, you’ll find info on:
1. Lonetree & Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapters’ Event Details
You’re invited to a couple of snowshoe hikes on the NCT to be hosted by the Lonetree and Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapters. They will be held at the Sheyenne National Grassland near Kindred on Saturday, February 20th and at the Lonetree WMA near Harvey on Sunday, February 21st.
Shortly after the hikes, the chapters will host chapter meetings at which their futures will be discussed. The two chapters have been stagnant for years and don’t currently serve the NCTA well in moving the NCT forward in ND. In 2010, they will either be reorganized or dissolved depending on the outcomes of the meetings. The NCTA’s hope is that former and current members will attend with a friend, and share their thoughts on the future of the chapters.
- Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter snowshoe Hike—February 20th. We’ll be hiking/snowshoeing from the east trailhead out to Iron Springs Creek and back, a distance of about 7 miles (see the featured trail section #3 on next page) although people may go as far as they wish to. We will meet at the East Trailhead parking area at 1pm and we should return by 4pm. If you need snowshoes, please contact Matthew Davis as we will have some extras for members and friends to use (if needed). The chapter will also provide a variety of snacks and warm beverages.
- Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter meeting—We’ll be meeting on March 4th at the Atomic Coffee (222 Broadway) in Fargo beginning at 6:30pm and going until 8pm. Please RSVP to Matt Davis if you plan on attending the meeting or if you have any questions or input.
- Lonetree Chapter snowshoe Hike—February 21st. We’ll be hiking/snowshoeing from the Jensen Campground to Coal Mine Lake Campground, a distance of about 7 miles (see the featured trail section #2 on next page). We will meet at the ND Game & Fish Department office (1851 23rd Avenue NE) at 1pm for carpooling. If you need snowshoes, please contact Matthew Davis as we will have some extras for members and friends to use (if needed). The chapter will also provide a variety of snacks and warm beverages.
- Lonetree Chapter meeting—We’ll be meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at the Presentation Center (1136 Divine Ave) in Harvey beginning at 7pm and going until 8:30pm. Scott Peterson of NDG&F will introduce Lonetree WMA and Matt Davis will talk about the NCT at Lonetree, volunteer opportunities, and the Chapter. Please RSVP to Matt Davis if you plan on attending the meeting or if you have any questions or input.
2. Public informational meetings in west-central ND. The NCTA will also be co-hosting two informational meetings in conjunction with the ND Parks & Recreation Department targeting people in west-central North Dakota who may be interested in learning more about the North Country Trail and volunteer opportunities. As part of our efforts to revitalize volunteer effort in North Dakota, we will be exploring the establishment of a volunteer group in the Bismarck and/or Minot areas to help out on the NCT from Lonetree WMA west to Lake Sakakawea St. Park. This will be vital to improving existing trail segments and filling in the gaps where trail does not currently exist. Here is the scoop on the meetings…
- Minot: Wednesday, March 10th at Municipal Auditorium (420 3rd Avenue SW) from 7—8:30pm
- Bismarck: Thursday, March 11th at Sertoma Park Shelter (300 Riverside Park Road) from 7—8:30pm
The meetings will feature an introduction to the NCT, an overview of the NCT in North Dakota, and a spotlight on ND issues and volunteer opportunities. Please RSVP to Matt Davis if you plan on attending either of the meetings or contact him if you have any questions. Feel free to invite others and share this notice with others who you think may be interested.
Matt can be reached at (701) 388-1883 or via email at davis@northcountrytrail.org.
3. Featured trail segments – Learn more about the NCT at Lonetree, within the Sheyenne National Grassland, and at the Sheyenne State Forest.
4. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter’s Easement Acquisition Project & 2010 Event Schedule
- The SRV Chapter is currently embarking upon a project to acquire 25+ miles of easements from private landowners between the Sheyenne River State Forest and Lake Ashtabula using a contractor.
- Here is the SRV Chapter’s 2010 activity schedule:
- Saturday, May 15 — Karnak to Sibley Hike!
- Saturday, June 5 –National Trails Day @ Fort Ransom State Park w/ a Hike, Canoe trip, and campout.
- Thursday, August 5–Sunday, August 8. North Country Trail Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin.
- Saturday, August 28 — 4th Annual North Country Hiking Fest @ Itasca State Park (MN)!
- Saturday, Sept 25-Sunday, Sept 26 — National Public Lands Day weekend hike & campout at the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near Harvey, ND.
5. American Hiking Society & NCTA offering Volunteer Vacations on the NCT in North Dakota. For more info on this volunteer opportunity, visit AHS’ website.
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Meetup.com logo
Three new Meetup groups have been formed in Minnesota in an effort to keep chapter members/friends and the public aware of NCTA related activites (hikes, work trips, other events). Check them out…
- Hike the NCT in Minnesota
- Chippewa N.F. North Country Trail Hikers
- MN Arrowhead North Country Trail Hikers
In addition, the Border Route Trail Association has a meetup page as does the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee. Both groups run trail clearing trips and fun outings on the Border Route Trail and the Kekekabic Trail & other BWCAW trails, respectively.
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