Our Sterling Marsh Boardwalk project is complete!

Click on the camera to see pictures and read the stats on the project!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

The North Country Trail Association is a non-profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail through a national network of volunteers, chapters, partner organizations and government agencies.

BRUCE E. MATTHEWS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION (NCTA), BEFORE THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC LANDS CONCERNING H.R. 481: NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL ROUTE ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2009.

Spirit of the Woods Chapter

of the North Country Trail

In Manistee, Lake and Mason counties in northwest lower Michigan

We hosted a Volunteer Adventure week with the West Michigan Chapter from Monday July 25-Friday July 29, 2011. View this year's experience!

Click HERE for photos of the July 2011 AHS Volunteer Week

We hosted a Sterling Marsh Boardwalk Volunteer Adventure Week August 16-21, 2010. Click HERE for photos of the 2010 Volunteer Adventure.

John Counts, reporter for the Manistee News Advocate, has completed a 35 mile hike through the Manistee County section of the North Country Trail. He wrote about his experiences in the Manistee News Advocate June 25-30, 2011. For short bits of his escapade see www.facebook.com/manisteenews
 starting on June 25, 2011.

December Hike
Saturday December, 17-10 AM Hike or snowshoe. Meet at the warming shelter at Ludington State Park and we can go from there. Bring boots or snowshoes (if we are lucky enough to have enough snow cover). FFI Joan Young jhy@t-one.net or 231 757-2205.

Our Major Boardwalk Project is Named for Trail Coordinator
Ed Chappel

Members of the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association honored Ed Chappel by naming the boardwalk through Sterling Marsh after him. John Cooley spearheaded the fund drive to create a bronze plaque honoring Ed for his tireless effort in directing and scheduling work and seeking funding for the materials for the boardwalk. The wording on the plaque is: In recognition of the vision and unfailing dedication to maintenance and improvement of the Spirit of the Woods section of the North Country Trail, this part of the trail will be henceforth known as the Ed Chappel Boardwalk.