by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Like the army ballard says about old soldiers never dying, but just simply fading away, old campsites also don't just die. However, as these dispersed campsites fade away, they can leave trash and other waste behind that may impact groundwater and soil over the years, dangerous broken-up asphalt chunks, drainage issues and numerous other things.
So ensuring these sites are cleaned up, safe and reopened is certainly important for park rangers and, really, anyone who enjoys spending time in nature.
Recently, 12 volunteers from Jeep'n Shawnee and a representative from the Hidden Springs and Wilderness Bluffs Ranger District participated in a campsite cleanup event inside Shawnee National Forest in Herod, Illinois.
The group cleaned out brush from 15 abandoned campsites that had sat dormant for over a decade, graded and filled road surfaces with 12 tons of gravel, and removed an old footbridge as well as waste asphalt all so the sites could reopen. Additionally, the volunteers pulled over 2,200 pounds of trash from the area.
“This was an amazing example of how positive conservation efforts by committed volunteers can have a substantial impact on recreation opportunities on public lands," said Tread Lightly! Northeast Project Manager Scott Ammerman. "These dispersed campsites were closed due to lack of maintenance over a decade ago and had the members of Jeep’n Shawnee not stepped in, they would still be closed today. Tread Lightly! and the Quadratec 50 for 50 Initiative were able to bring some resources into this effort to amplify the work of an already engaged group and open these sites up for future generations to enjoy. We look forward to working with them again in the very near future."
This Shawnee National Forest camping area cleanup was the 29th of 50 trail and public land restoration events Quadratec will help sponsor in each state by April 2024.
“Our goal as a Jeep group helping Shawnee National Forest is to educate the Jeeping public to the rules and regulations of the National Forests, as well as to secure our rights and privileges to these areas for future generations to come," said Jeep'n Shawnee President Joe Stanthoff. "It is a true privilege to be a partner in service with the United States Forest Service and to be able to represent our Jeeping community.”
So far through its supported projects, the 50-for-50 Stewardship Grant has accumulated 5,692 volunteer hours with a total value of $169,890, pulled away 97,985 pounds of trash and improved 704.5 miles of trail.
Quadratec’s ’50-for-50’ stewardship grant fund helps project managers pay for equipment, fees, volunteer support, food, fuel, signage and other miscellaneous costs.
Quadratec has been a supporting partner of Tread Lightly! for more than 20 years, and a longtime fundraiser for Tread Lightly!’s stewardship programs. The company has also promoted Tread Lightly! and other trail restoration efforts through its Quadratec Cares ‘Energize the Environment’ program.
Clubs and individuals are required to be active, supporting members of Tread Lightly! to be eligible to apply for ’50-for-50’ grant funding. To learn more about the Quadratec ’50-for-50 program, visit Quadratec's 50 for 50 Trails Stewardship Grant Initiative.
Recommended Reading:
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50’ Public Land Cleanup — Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Quadratec's 50 State, 50 Trail Stewardship Initiative Reaches Halfway Mark
