Several Superior National Forest Wilderness Program staff members are recipients of two national awards, one for excellence in wilderness research and the other for outstanding efforts to incorporate safety measures into the rehabilitation work in areas affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Wildfire. This photo shows how daunting the Pagami Creek rehab work can be.
Superior National Forest Wilderness Program staff are recipients of two national awards. The first award recognizes outstanding efforts to incorporate safety measures into rehabilitation work in areas affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Wildfire. The second award recognizes excellence in wilderness research.
Five staff members collectively received the 2012 Forest Service Chief Honor Awards “Creating a Safety Culture” for post-fire work following the Pagami Creek Wildfire. Recipients include Steven Cochran, wilderness specialist, Kawishiwi Ranger District; Jonathan Benson, wilderness specialist, Gunflint Ranger District; Susan Duffy, forest wilderness and recreation program manager; Ann Schwaller, forest wilderness specialist; and Carl Skustad, wilderness program manager, Kawishiwi Ranger District.
The 2011 Pagami Creek Fire burned approximately 93,000 acres, the majority being within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The fire destroyed numerous camp sites and rendered many canoe portages and trails unusable and unsafe. Rehabilitation of the campsites, trails and portages within this area began almost immediately following the fire with the largest effort occurring during April of 2012.
In keeping with wilderness management guidelines, rehabilitation crews were to use cross-cut saws and axes to clear downed trees from campsites, trails and portages and to fell damaged trees that could pose a risk to visitors traveling through those areas. Forest Service safety practices were integrated into every phase of the project. Pre-work preparation was performed in detail starting with hazard analyses, action plans, and written procedures.
The 2012 “Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Research Award” went to the research team of Robert G. Dvorak, Ann Schwaller, Alan Watson, Neal Christensen and William T. Borrie. Watson, Christensen, and Borrie work with the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the University of Montana. Schwaller is the forest wilderness specialist with the Superior National Forest. This award is co-sponsored by the International Journal of Wilderness to honor individuals and groups for excellence in wilderness stewardship and recognize outstanding endeavors toward meeting the national 10-Year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge.
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