AWARDS
2020 Awards Let us recognize those of our friends and members who contribute above and beyond to the growth of our North Country Trail. The Awards Committee is pleased to recognize the following, as nominated by those who work with them. FRIEND OF THE TRAIL
FRIEND OF THE TRAIL
Denny Caneff
Richard Lutz, Buckeye Trail Association
Our Trail is stronger and better because of the vision and leadership of Denny Caneff. For the past three years he has worked tirelessly as executive director for the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA). He has forged relationships, grown the Association, and remains completely unafraid of spending Photo: Eric Hadrath time in the mud and deep snow. Because of his leadership, 300 miles of the North Country Trail are on a sustainable trajectory. Denny leaves SHTA on August 1, but his profound legacy will continue. What he created was the Trail Renewal Program (TRP), a plan for responsible, sustainable management of the trail as a resource, with concern for the environmental impacts that increased use and lagging maintenance have caused. It focuses on developing standards for new construction and maintenance that volunteers, contractors and staff alike must adhere to. It engages volunteers and gives them opportunities for training and involvement with an emphasis on safety, and perhaps most importantly, it creates a process to evaluate the trail, identify and then prioritize projects.
Although Richard does work part-time for the BTA, it’s generally agreed by all that he works far more than he is paid for. Many achievements in recent years would not have happened without him, like obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grants to protect miles of trail route, organizing work Photo: Eric Albrecht parties to create new trail and add campsites, and obtaining state lands for improved trail routes. He also works on most of BTA’s big annual events, and has been in the thick of mapping improvements. SWEEP
Mary Berube and John Schrock
FRIEND OF THE TRAIL
Jack Norland Jack Norland has been instrumental in jumpstarting efforts to develop new segments of the NCT east of the Sheyenne National Grasslands in North Dakota. As manager of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Foundation's Ekre Grassland Preserve, Jack has assisted in the development of the NCT and Photo: Tom Moberg other loop trails that traverse the property. He has assisted Tom Moberg's work with adjacent landowners to secure permission for the NCT. Jack has also helped the NCTA gain a foothold on the NDSU campus by promoting the NCT to students.
Photo: Mary Berube and John Schrock
SWEEP
Rick and Sher Eiler Wampum Chapter’s Eilers have been active members for almost twenty years. Not only does Rick maintain all of the Chapter’s machinery, they tend trail near the town where they live, and Sher especially participates in the many Chapter events every year. Photo: the Eilers
20
The North Star
The 60 miles of Trail tended by the Brule-St. Croix Chapter of Wisconsin offered blazing that was suffering from old age, so Mary and John volunteered to reblaze the whole thing and keep it all on a recommended five-year rotation. In addition they are active Chapter members whose other contributions are appreciated.
