The generations that worked so hard to protect and preserve America’s wild places must smile upon the new generation, spending their days in service to the public lands so passionately defended many decades before. This new generation of Wilderness Stewards, born a half century beyond when cross-cut saws became a ‘vintage’ tool, now prowl the backcountry proudly demonstrating a skill and passion for service.
In late May of this year SAWS will co-host our second annual Wilderness Skills Institute with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the US Forest Service and the National Park Service. This new generation of stewards will gather around the fire that they didn’t start, but they will fan those flames with talk of weeks - deep in the heart of some favorite place, discussing how their Wilderness is more spectacular (or sublime) than anyplace else. These stewards will talk of their skill with a cross-cut like they were part of another era. They will be keeping that fire burning!You can join the circle around the fire this summer by joining a SAWS BOOT Crew for week or a weekend. The calendar includes a stop in the Linville Gorge Wilderness, a spectacular setting if there ever was one. We will also be working in places like Ellicott Rock, the Cohutta and Joyce Kilmer / Slickrock. Every week and weekend will be filled with sweat and toil, as well as laughter and fun. You can be the one making a difference, building a skill, filling your memory and memory cards! Don’t think for a minute you don’t have what it takes, because all it takes is a love for the outdoors and an interest in sharing it.
Let’s see your face around that fire, and let’s meet on down the trail.
Transylvania Public Library
212 South Gaston Street, Brevard, NC
The Wilderness Society, The National Forests of North Carolina and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards invite you to an evening of inspiration that will explore our Eastern Wilderness Areas, how they were protected, and what they mean to us today.
The night will feature a look back at the history of Wilderness designation across time and across our region. Doug Scott, author of The Enduring Wilderness and Our Wilderness, America’s Common Ground will trace the journey from concept to law of the land. We will also explore the future of Wilderness with a discussion of challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, including the inspiration of a future generation of Wilderness Stewards. The evening will allow us to hear from those inspired by Wilderness, and those charged with managing our designated areas.
This is a free event, with doors opening at 6pm and the presentations beginning at 7pm.
By definition, “Wilderness Stewardship” has a broad scope, but SAWS area of focus is projects such as these:
- Trail building, maintenance, and repair
- Training and certification for Cross-Cut Saw use, Wilderness First Aid, and Leave No Trace programs
- Leadership Training for ‘Boots on the Ground’ Crews from SAWS and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Wilderness Ranger Programs
- Citizen Scientist Programs
- And much, much more...
SAWS - Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Bill Hodge, Director
243 Ironsburg Road
Tellico Plains, TN 37385
865-617-4804
billhodge@trailcrews.org
Many thanks go out to our 2011 crew leaders: Scotty Bowman, Aaron Sanford, Danielle Bouchonett and Nick Biemiller; to our Wilderness Rangers: David Cohen and Stephen Eren; and also to our summer intern, Rebekah Copeland Champion for all their hard work. In spite of the heat, the humidity, and the occasional pit viper, it was a great summer of hard yet very rewarding work! You can read more about our experiences here:
- The First Boot Crew by Bill Hodge
- Call of the Whippoorwill, A Reflection
by Scotty Bowman - Into the Woods & Further into the Woods
by Danielle Bouchonett - Iverstor Gap Day by Rebekah Copeland Champion
The progress we have made just by launching our first full field season was possible because of the commitment to the SAWS effort from The Wilderness Society. In May of 2011 The Wilderness Society made SAWS a permanent project of the organization. This commitment allows us to expand the SAWS effort and realize the collective vision of serving our Southern Appalachian Wilderness.
The term ‘field season’ implies there are times we will be out of the field. That is not completely true. Our work continues through the year with more chances for you to join a Wild Crew. Our weekend projects allow us to continue the effort to provide inspiration for those who want to serve our amazing public lands. Come join a crew!
