Maine Land Stewards

 
 

“The Earth is given as a common for men to labor and live in.” -Thomas Jefferson

 Just a quick post to share a photo of my stewardship colleagues…  We took a day most recently to, together, paddle the Cold Stream in Passadumkeag.   …as means of most important comradery and to complete an annual site check of our nature preserve bisected by the waterway.   It’s home to some rare plants and mussels, and the Tomah mayfly – sometimes referred to as a living fossil.  The nymph stage shows greatly expanded, wing like structures on the abdomen that are reminiscent of characteristics seen in fossil mayflies from the Carboniferous era.  The streams and adjacent wetlands were magnificent, and we sure did have lots of fun on this prefect fall day.  It’s difficult work, but someone must do it!

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Dan Grenier

Richard, Jess, and Gina

 

Gina and Jess

 
 
 

Richard

 

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall

 

I had the fortune and pleasure of working the past six-months with Jess, Richard, and Gina.  I’m always lucky with finding great help at work, but this year was a special one.  Each accomplished a lot on their own, and as a team we moved the programmatic bar forward.  Richard, Gina, and Jess cleared, maintained, and repaired miles and miles of hiking trail, built new preserve infrastructure and installed signage on sites to help visitors best interact with nature, made inventory of our assets on preserves and documented larger problems for another day.  Together we measured vegetation on a system of long-term forest monitoring plots used to provide insight in ecological reserve in Maine and even checked in on some things rare and threatened.  They further tested and applied new mobile monitoring systems and provided insight into future improvement.  Invasive plant populations were assessed and documented when encountered on the landscape, and each took considerable time to meet and greet neighbors, visitors, and our conservation partners as a positive representative of the organization.  Oh, and we picked up trash – literally tons and tons of it for proper disposal.  …and yes, lots of reporting as part of important record and site history.  The energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism each brought to the work was amazing, if not a bit overwhelming at times.  …and to watch each develop their own solid connection to these special landscapes that mean so much to me was joy.  Gina, Jess, and Richard brought unique skill sets to the table and made significant effort developing new tools for their work toolkit.  Watching them has been inspirational, making me further consider my own personal and professional growth.  Again, what luck!

 Richard, Jess, and Gina, thank you greatly for all that you’ve done over the past six-months.  Know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Impossible!  And best of luck with your next steps doing more good things. I am sure of your success.

 With my biggest jack pine hugs,

 Dan Grenier

Hugging trees in the Debsconeags

You know, I nearly held back from sharing this because there is so much wrong in my photography. Wishing for thoughtful composition, elimination of hot spots, a considered foreground, no branches in faces, a normal perspective, and of course, film…  That said, the smiles and overarching sentiment makes it for me in spite of the flaws. 

I spent this past week in the Debsconeags Lakes Wilderness Area measuring forest conditions (similar to USFS FIA work for those interested) with a super enthusiastic field crew.  As you can see here, they all drank the conservation Kool-Aid.  Regardless of incessant biting insects, wet feet and clothes from rain, smashed shins as a result of my crazy map and compass navigation through the woods, general heat and humidity, and no running water or electricity, Nancy, Marissa, Mariana, Hillary, and Andrew reveled with our plant monitoring tasks and the beauty found at our forest plots.  Not one complaint beyond my own grumblings and bellyaching…  Nothing but smiles and laughs all around…  What a fantastic bunch!  

Learn more about the Debsconeags Lakes Wilderness Area...

 

A No. 5 Mountain Thanks!

 
 

Conservation Begins Here

A portion of my 2013 field crew... 

 

Over the past couple of years I’ve been overseeing a trail management and remediation project on No. 5 Mountain located in Township 5 Range 6, Maine (close to Jackman).  The project has allowed me to spend time with some incredibly inspirational field crew members.  Self-motivated, team oriented, smart, thoughtful, inquisitive, dedicated to task-at-hand, and environmentally conscious…   These people represent the best of young America, and it’s been my pleasure to cheer them on. 

During the project, most specifically, they’ve been focusing their boundless energy on rebuilding an old Fire Warden’s trail leading to the summit of No. 5 Mountain.  The three mile pathway dates back to the 1930’s.  Few switchbacks or erosion control measures, so over the past 80 years it has significantly degraded.  But the crew has been rebuilding and rerouting.   Diverting water with rock and wood…   Turnpikes, waterbars, bog bridging, optimizing trail grade, French drains, bench cuts, stone staircases…  The end goal is protecting the resource while ensuring visitor connection to the outdoors, and I’m positive that they’ve met their mark. 

Our 2013 field season has ended, and I’ve buttoned things up for winter.  All have moved on to next steps (i.e., work, school, and other projects).  With this has come a moment to reflect and review, and it’s clear to me that I’ve been lucky to have had this time with them.  A humbling experience...  It’s always fun to share my work projects and things that get me excited with others, but in this instance I know that I’ve benefited the most from these interactions and by seeing their example and gift of service.  Yes, our shared natural heritage has been in good hands. 

Thank you all!  You know who you are.

 

~Dan G. 

 


Zach

 

Eric

 

Hanna

 

No. 5 Mountain

Township 5 Range 6, Maine