We hosted a Volunteer Adventure Week August 16-21!
The North Country Trail Association's Volunteer Adventure Program helps to organize and showcase a series of week long trail building events along its 4,600 mile path. A Volunteer Adventure is expected to span 7 days; 2 days to travel to and from the project, 4 days of trail work, and 1 recreation day that will highlight the area's cultural and natural offerings, while enjoying the company of other trail lovers. Volunteer Adventures offer the chance to give back and have fun doing it. Join our crew in the Spirit of the Woods Chapter to improve our trail system and make one of the worst areas in our section into one of the best! Sterling Marsh will be much more accessible with boardwalk and it will be easier to see the spring wildflowers, birdwatch and continue through the trail without wading knee deep in mud during spring.
Currently Volunteer Adventures are free and open to public registration. A $50 registration fee is used to commit a volunteer to the program and is refunded upon completion of the event. Registration will close two weeks prior to the beginning of a project. Volunteers are expected to provide for their own travel to the event. Food, camping fees, and all other normal costs while on the project are provided by the NCTA. Kids ages 12-17 are welcome when accompanied by adult supervision.
Volunteer Adventures Give Back to the Trail
" Providing needed volunteers for bigger projects
" Improving or building premier segments of the trail
" Teaching traditional trail building skills with the latest techniques
Volunteer Adventures Raise Awareness
" Promoting The North Country National ScenicTrail and its partners
" Promoting and recruiting new members
Volunteer Adventures Are Fun
" Sharing best management practices in trail building and safety
" Promoting a community of quality trail builders along the Trail
" Sharing the rich natural heritage of the North Country Trail
What Can I Expect As A Volunteer?
" NCTA VA t-shirt
" Meals and camping
" Project organization, materials and tools
" On-site training and supervision by chapter leadership
" An opportunity to learn about the habitat and history of the area
" Opportunities to stay involved after the project
" An organized recreation day
" A great group of people
" Fresh air and hard work
What Should I Bring?
" Personal camping gear
" Appropriate outdoor clothing
" Willingness to work and have fun
The Area:
Sterling Marsh is located at the south end of our trail responsibility and is surrounded by many lakes and streams, including the Pere Marquette, a renowned trout river. It is approximately 30 miles from Lake Michigan with its beautiful beaches and sand dunes. The marsh itself is a bird watcher paradise from April to early June in addition to an abundance of wildflowers.
The Work Project:
We will be building sections of boardwalk through Sterling Marsh. This is a multi-year project. Last year we completed 635 feet of boardwalk and this year we have planned another 608 feet plus some re-benching of the trail between sections of boardwalk. When completed we will have 2200 feet of boardwalk.
Camp:
We will be camping at the Bowman Bridge Forest Campground located on the Pere Marquette River. It is a primitive campground with pit toilets and water. For those that might want to bring a camper there are spaces available. (Let Ed Chappel know if you would like to bring a trailer). The river is available for a dip each evening and showers are occasionally available at the Baldwin Forest Service Headquarters. All meals will be provided.
Recreation:
Thursday was a planned free day. Some participants hiked a trail from the campground.
Our club showed the hospitality and beauty of this area!
See a great story about the marsh and the boardwalk on Joan blog http://northcountrytrailnews.blogspot.com/2009/07/getting-sterling-marsh-trail-out-of-mud.html
