Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Gunflint Green Up May 1 - 3

It may be snowing on the Gunflint Trail now, but Spring will come and with it, Gunflint Green Up. We invite you to join us May 1-2, along the Gunflint Trail; we'll be planting trees, releasing some of the 75,000 planted last year and celebrating our community. http://www.gunflintgreenup.com/ There are many meaningful things going on.

Friday, May 1
1:30-5:00 Green Living Fair at the Gunflint Conference Center
5:30-7:30 Welcome Picnic at the Big Top at Gunflint Lodge with music by the Sivertones
7:30 Howard Sivertson shares his stories and images picked up along the shore

Saturday, May 2
9:30 Planting and releasing trees at assigned locations along the Gunflint Trail
5:30-7:30 Thank You Dinner at the Big Top at Gunflint Lodge with music by Gerald Thilmany
7:30 Celebration of the day's accomplishments and the Superior National Forest's 100th Anniversary
8:00 Dance to The Trail's End Band

All participants must register to take part in the program. This year the registration options include ala carte meals, and an option to "plant only". Participants can register for the Gunflint Green Up online at http://www.gunflintgreenup.com/. The registration fee for all meals and programs is $40 per individual or $100 per family (1-­ 2 adults and their children 16 years of age and younger) and includes Friday's Green Living Fair, dinner, evening presentation, Saturday tree planting, box lunch, dinner, dance, and t-shirt. Please visit the website for ala carte options. Registration deadline is Earth Day, April 22.

Planting a tree is a meaningful experience, please join us for this community building event.

Monday, March 16, 2009

An investment in our Superior National Forest

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Superior National Forest and Minnesota Conservation Corps
March 12, 2009

Contacts:
Kris Reichenbach, Superior National Forest 218.626.4393
Tim Johnson-Grass, Minnesota Conservation Corps 651.209.9900 ext. 18

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds Superior National Forest Trail Maintenance
in Partnership with Minnesota Conservation Corps through the recently-passed ‘‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,’’ $557,000 of funding will be used to improve conditions on the Superior National Forest’s extensive trail system, including hiking, portage, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ATV, and interpretive trails. Work will be performed through a partnership with Minnesota Conservations Corps (MCC).
Trail work will involve brushing, tread work, installation of water control structures, boardwalk reconstruction, and trail sign maintenance in various areas of the Superior National Forest. A few specific sites include the Kekekabic Trail, Whiteface Campground Hiking Trail, Franklin Lake ATV Trail, and Cascade River Ski Trail.

“This project exemplifies the objectives of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by providing jobs that will maintain and improve existing trails on the Superior National Forest for years. Additionally, young adults employed through MCC to work on this project will gain valuable skills and an appreciation for natural resource management,” said Jim Sanders, Forest Supervisor for the Superior National Forest.
Funds will be awarded to the MCC within seven days, but actual work will not begin until around June 1 and will run throughout the year.

MCC’s AmeriCorps program provides hands-on environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities to young adults, ages 18 to 25, while accomplishing conservation, natural resource management and emergency response work. In addition to job-skills gained, MCC crew members receive professional certifications such as wildfire suppression, chain-saw safety and first aid. The service they provide restores and improves access to natural resources while changing the lives of young people.
“We’ll be increasing the number of young adults we employ in conservation work by almost 50 percent,” says Tim Johnson-Grass, MCC Operations Manager. “Our corps members are committed to service and proud of their work ¯ that is why they’re in this program. The trails that they maintain and improve in the Superior National Forest will be enjoyed for generations.” For more information about Minnesota Conservation Corps and seasonal trail crews, visit <http://www.conservationcorps.orghttp://www.conservationcorps.org/.

This project was one of several Forest Service projects submitted for funding under the Act. The intent is to help put people back to work, while also providing long-term benefits in terms of developing new skills, enhancing local resources, or adding value to communities, counties, and partners.
Nationally, almost $63 million worth of Forest Service projects creating hundreds of private-sector jobs have already been funded. The remaining projects to be funded, valued at $1.052 billion, will be announced in the coming weeks and are expected to create approximately 23,500 more jobs nationwide. Additional information about how the Forest Service is involved in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Canoecopia 2009


It has been an astounding turnout for Canoecopia this year in Madison. There are so many folks here that are attending the seminars and visiting the information booths. We have had a steady stream of old friends and new friends to talk to about our love of our boundary waters. Without fail it makes me long for spring and to get back to the lodge and get start getting things organized and ready for our opening on Fishing Opener.


If you are anywhere near Madison, stop by and see all the new things for paddling.


The photo is of Ben and Kyle who help us every year at the sport show.


Monday, March 02, 2009

Bob Marchino

This was posted yesterday afternoon on Bob Marchino's caring bridge website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobmarchino. As many of you know, Bob and Marti Marchino owned Clearwater Lodge from the early 90's to 2003 and have resided on Clearwater Lake since they left the resort. Our thoughts go out to Marti and their family.

With a heavy heart we are letting you know that Bob carried his last portage at 3:00pm EST.
A funeral is being planned at Flanner/Buchanan in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis.
A memorial service is also being planned in Grand Marais, Minnesota for this summer.
Please check back tomorrow for additional details.
Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes.
God Bless.