Newsletter May 2001
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WONALANCET OUT DOOR CLUB Newsletter May 2001 Caring for the Sandwich Range since 1892 Well Deserved Recognition GEORGE ZINK: A WILDERNESS CHAMPION “Awash in awards” is how WODC President John George Zink, who has long and wisely served WODC and its mission, has been honored by the U.S. Boettiger phrased it. In the Forest Service with its Wilderness Excellence Award. Recognized as “An Individual Champion of Wilderness past six months three club Management,” George received the award in a ceremony at the regional headquarters of the USFS in members have received Milwaukee on November 30, 2000. national honors for their That ceremony coincided with George’s 82nd birthday and recognized a lifetime of active and productive contributions to the better- work on behalf of wilderness protection and effective management in the White Mountain National Forest. George first came to the Whites as a 12-year-old Boy Scout in 1931. Both during and following his ment of the Sandwich Range career as a science teacher at Groton School, he has been a devoted and effective leader in a remarkable array and White Mountain National of wilderness initiatives for more than 40 years. He served as president of WODC, and with the able Forest. Evelyn MacKinnon, collaboration of his wife Sally, he was editor of – and a frequent writer for – this newsletter for nearly 20 Fred Lavigne and George years. Zink He played a major role in the addition of the Sandwich Range to Congressionally designated status as exemplify the tradition of a Wilderness management area in 1984, and went on to assist the Forest Service in developing its forest activism established by our management plan for the WMNF in the years immediately following. That plan, approved in 1986, still serves, founders and maintained by and George continues as an active participant in its current process of revision. George’s work, and that of others like him in national forests throughout the country, has been critical WODC for over a century. in establishing the goal of a healthy ecosystem as preeminent in USFS management of our forests. Whatever See related story on Page 2. the forest’s multiple human uses, policy that George has been instrumental in defining and defending demands that such uses maintain – or at least not endanger or degrade – the diverse well being of the forest’s natural life. As Aldo Leopold taught us more than a half-century ago, that is the keystone of a living wilderness ethic. Also in this issue... WODC joins the Forest Service in celebrating George Zink’s life and work. Two young members of the USFS staff here recently wrote: “Above all, George has been a mentor on wilderness issues to people within and outside of the Forest Service. His writings, Lucy Larcom, poet and his involvement in management issues and his love for the namer land all work to preserve wilderness for of mountains, page 6. many generations to come.” Meet the 2001 SCA-WODC John Boettiger Trail Crew, page 4. Why hikers visit the Sandwich Range – an informal survey, page 5. “...George has been a mentor on wilderness issues to people within and outside of the Forest Service.” photo courtesy of The Mountain Ear 2 WILDERNESS SOCIETY HONORS LAVIGNE & MACKINNON On February 15th The Wilderness Society future generations will have the same national forest, whether they are taking Forest presented two committed and energetic WODC opportunity all of us have today to enjoy the Service employees out on hikes to discuss their members, Evelyn MacKinnon and Fred Lavigne, White Mountain National Forest. We are honored concerns, or doing volunteer trail maintenance in with the Olaus and Margaret (Mardy) Murie to work alongside them." the Sandwich Range, or participating in forest Award in recognition of their tireless efforts to "We take special pleasure," Meadows said, planning meetings, or heading out for a week at a protect the Sandwich Range and other special "in paying tribute to a husband-and-wife team time to go camping and exploring. They are places. The presentation ceremony took place in since this award is named for another exceptional extremely effective advocates for the forest, and Washington, DC, at a meeting of The Wilderness couple." Olaus Murie, an acclaimed naturalist, are able to, in the nicest way, encourage dozens Society's Governing Council. was president of The Wilderness Society from of their neighbors to also get involved. And The award is given annually to a person, 1945 to 1962. He and his wife, Mardy, spent anyone who has had a chance to get to know Fred usually unheralded, who has shown dedication to years promoting legislation that would protect and Evelyn knows how incredibly funny and kind protecting the nation's natural heritage. "Evelyn wild places from development. President Clinton they are. They're just terrific people and I'm so and Fred are inspirational," said Wilderness presented Mardy Murie with the Presidential glad to know them." Society President William H. Meadows. "They Medal of Freedom in January 1998. WODC couldn’t agree more. have put in more time than anyone could measure Julie Wormser, The Wilderness Society's Compiled from TWS press release working with fellow conservationists, the U.S. Northeast regional director, said of Evelyn and and contributing staff Forest Service, and others to make sure that Fred, "So much of their lives revolves around the ACTIVITIES REPORT The winter potluck gathering on January 20 districts. Then the discussion turned to oriented brook walk that will leave at 10:30 AM at the Benz Center was well-attended by nearly memories of Wonalancet in earlier days. Each from the Ferncroft kiosk and will end by 1:00 40 people. It was great fun, as always, to get a person described what had brought him or her to PM. Bob Craycraft from the UNH Cooperative chance to talk together and catch up on news. Wonalancet, which made for a warm and Extension will talk about watersheds, aquifers After dinner, everyone was tempted to head for fascinating evening, one we will try to create and the brook. Bring water and a lunch. Please Runnells Hall, where Dr. Robert Newton was again in the future. note that this trip does not leave at the crack of giving a talk to the Green Mountain Conservation The February 3 snowshoe trip to Big Rock dawn and does not use up the whole day and an Group. (To prevent this type of schedule Cave, Whitin Brook Trail, and Cabin Trail was enormous amount of energy, so we are hoping conflict in the future, we are now exchanging our very pleasant, with good snow conditions, and that this will interest members who have not schedule with the Green Mountain Group.) seven people attended. We found only a few come on earlier trips. Of those who stayed, quite a few asked types of animal tracks on that route, but had lots On Saturday, August 4, we will hold a questions about the status of the White Mountain of good conversation, while walking at a leisurely Wonalancet History evening at the Benz Center National Forest plan revision, which were pace for about six and a half hours. at 7:00 PM. Everyone is requested to bring some answered by those who have been attending The March 3 snowshoe trip found even copies (or originals) of historical items they may monthly public meetings at various ranger deeper snow and, as we climbed, two of us took have regarding Wonalancet. Roy Hammond will Fire Road 337 for a loop back to Wonalancet; one present reminiscences of interesting Wonalancet broke trail down Kelly Trail, and four of us took people, including Arthur Walden. Square Ledge Trail, which was also untracked The Green Mountain Conservation Group is until our arrival. There were lots of opportunities holding interesting activities throughout the to tromp and slide downhill through ample snow summer, including its third annual Watershed The Newsletter is published twice each year and to enjoy the wildness of the Square Ledge Weekend on July 14-15 and a forestry workshop by the Wonalancet Out Door Club. Submissions area. We hiked over Square Ledge Branch to on May 19. For more details, see its newsletter for inclusion in future issues should be sent to: Oliverian Brook Trail, finding lots of moose or call Blair Folts at 539-7926. tracks. When we got to Kelly Trail, we enjoyed WODC Newsletter Editor following in our colleague's footsteps and Judith Reardon HCR 64 Box 248 returned to Wonalancet after about seven hours. Wonalancet, NH 03897 Or, Upcoming Events [email protected] Summer activities will include FOUR potluck dinners (see the Trails and Crew articles WODC was established in 1892 for and the calendar in this newsletter): May 19 maintaining trails, promoting conservation, and after our spring trail clearing day, June 8 to greet social recreation. our SCA trail crew, July 21 for New Hampshire Trails Day, and August 19 for Annual Meeting. WODC web site: www.wodc.org Please remember that everyone is welcome, Printed on 100% post-consumer, processed including non-members, regardless of whether chlorine free, non-de-inked, recycled paper. you do trail work. On Saturday, July 28, we will hold a family- 3 ANOTHER BUSY TRAIL SEASON PLANNED On June 30, 1997, a four-person trail crew volunteers to turn out for this important day. arrived at the "Four Way," where the Walden Although we'll be working on several trails, Trail Adopter Trail begins its meandering route towards the everyone should meet at the Ferncroft trailhead at Bennett St. Garry Gerossie summit of Mt. Passaconaway.