The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deeply values its long-standing collaboration with local volunteers on maintenance projects, a tradition that dates back to the agency’s early days. Even before the official establishment of the USFS, citizens were involved in trail maintenance and fire suppression, often informally. As the USFS grew, it began to organize and formalize these efforts. It collaborated with local organizations like Northwoods Volunteer Connection to organize and manage volunteer projects, recognizing these volunteers’ invaluable contribution to preserving our natural resources.
Northwoods Volunteer Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on the North Shore that provides needed volunteer trail stewardship for the Superior National Forest by engaging volunteers and partner organizations in shared recreation and wilderness projects.
Northwoods is a small organization with a four-person volunteer board of directors and a part-time executive director, Jo Swanson of Two Harbors, the only employee.
The current administration in Washington is cutting employees in an already understaffed Superior National Forest, and Swanson is uncertain how those cuts will affect already scheduled projects.
On the job for about a year, Swanson previously worked with the Superior Hiking Trail in Two Harbors, collaborating with USFS employees and supervisors. “I loved the USFS staff that we worked with,” she said.
The pandemic years forced almost a complete stoppage of projects, which started up again just last year. This summer, Swanson plans to work on ten to fifteen projects, ranging from a one-day assignment in Isabella to remove invasive species from the forest to a four-day backpacking expedition to maintain the South Lake Trail on the Gunflint.
Swanson aims to have 100 volunteers available for the various projects but could always use more. If people are interested in volunteering or donating, they may go to the website northwoodsvolunteerconnection.org , email info@northwoodsvolunteerconnection.org, or call 218-216-7060.
“Our volunteer events are always a good time,” Swanson said. “I’ve met some really good people.”
In her free time, Swanson is a serious long-distance hiker. “I love being outdoors,” she said.
Established in 1909, the Superior National Forest is the largest national forest east of the Mississippi River. It covers roughly 3.9 million acres and is divided into five ranger districts.
Northwoods coordinates volunteer tree planting, trail repair, and other projects in all five districts, partnering with other organizations as needed to ensure the forest’s good health and condition.
The USFS has used local volunteers as a core part of its approach to land management for nearly a century, and arguably even longer in a less formal way. This profoundly ingrained tradition is vital to maintaining our national forests.
