Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
One of the many recreational attractions West Virginia is known for is the trail system winding around and through its mountains and valleys. To ensure those trails are in good shape and prepared for visitors, countless volunteer hours are logged by members of the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association.
In recognition of its members’ tireless work on promoting and preserving the trails, especially the Allegheny Trail, the United States Forest Service awarded the WVSTA with the Annual Volunteer Program National Citizen Stewardship and Partnerships Award and the Eastern Regional Volunteer and Services Citizen Stewardship and Partnerships Award.
Several employees of the U.S. Forest Service met with members of the WVSTA near the Allegheny Trail in Bowden last Friday to present the awards and recognize the volunteers for their work.
Monongahela National Forest deputy forest supervisor Sarah LaPlante shared her thoughts on what the awards mean and why the WVSTA exemplifies what they stand for.
“I was researching your organization, and I am just blown away by fifty-one years of service and community engagement,” she said. “I think it seems like you guys are the reason why this trail is in existence.
“For me, what it really is about is engaging community and thinking about communities and how to steward our national forests and the amazing recreation resources we have as a community,” she continued, referring to the awards. “I think you guys exemplify that.”
LaPlante spoke about the nomination her co-worker Morgan Rao wrote about the WVSTA and said that because the Allegheny Trail is so large – 311 miles through two states – it takes a lot of collaboration to keep it going as well as the volunteers do.
“The trail currently touches two states, eight counties, four state parks, two state forests and three national forests,” she said. “Really, that exemplifies that you guys know about partnerships, and you know how to reach beyond borders and talk with people, creating lasting relationships, understand all of the different interests that are there and are respectful of that.
“The fact that this trail exists is a testimony to that work,” she added.
Individuals who were recognized for their work with WVSTA were Jeff Byard, former president and Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, communications coordinator.
Both spoke about the work they do with the Allegheny Trail and how it all comes together thanks to the partnership with the forest service and the volunteers.
“You’ve got to protect what we’ve got, so that was the first thing,” Byard said. “The potential of this trail, it’s here, we’ve just got to keep improving it. It really can be a great thing, if everybody just keeps working together.”
Flood-Sawczyszyn said the group has grown twice in size in the past year to now having 130 registered volunteers. Those volunteers have put in more than 6,400 hours of volunteer work in the past year and are continuing to focus on maintaining the trail.
“We have people coming with unique skill sets,” she said. “They’re coming out and giving back.”
She shared several stories about individuals she has met who have experienced the trail as hikers and are now members of the volunteer group because they were so moved by their experience on the trail.
“Our concept, very much, here in West Virginia, as many of you may know, you’re family here,” she said. “It doesn’t take long. We all have grit. We all have passion. We all have respect for this slice of Appalachia that is so unique and powerful.
“Look at our lineage,” she continued. “These paths are what people survived on. We’re going to begin to tell that story a little bit more of Appalachia. Where we are today is really powerful. Make no mistake, we want to ensure this is around for another 150, 200, 300, thousand years, millennia. Whatever we can do.”
Also attending the award ceremony were forest service employees – public affairs officer Andrea Brandon; Cheat District Ranger John Morgan; north zone recreation staff officer John Wheeler; south zone trails and volunteer coordinator Kirsten Owens; and WVSTA secretary Jennifer Bunner.
