Member Stories

Here in the Northwest District, crews form just a little later than the rest of the state. We’ve been together for about six weeks now, and I’m glad to report that all is well for the Ottertail crew.I think the most challenging part of these early weeks is the so-called “training limbo,” the sense that the learning and waiting portion of our service will never end. Questions like, “When will we start actually working?” are frequent, and even as a leader, it becomes difficult to practice patience and steady attention. Read More

My crew and I have had the good fortune of spending the last five weeks working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge near Princeton, Minnesota. The refuge covers around 20,000 acres and is a mixture of remnant oak savannah, one of the most threatened ecosystems on the globe, as well as expansive wetlands and oak forest. It is an important breeding ground for many waterfowl and is well-known for its sandhill cranes. Numerous species of migratory birds and native wildlife also find sanctuary within the refuge’s boundaries.Now on our sixth and final week at the refuge, I’m having a hard time waxing poetic in a way that does the experience justice. Luckily, I carry a decent camera around in my pocket; perhaps some photographs can do the job for me. Read More

I found myself buried in snow somewhere between “I think I can climb out” and “Maybe they’ll find me in a couple days”. As I lay there, it seemed to me that I was going about this whole walking in the snow business all wrong. The snowshoe is a foreign concept to those of us from the Southeastern U.S. For thousands of years however, the snowshoe represented the pinnacle of technology for traversing frozen landscapes. It was only logical then, that I should become proficient in the use of these vehicles if I had any intention of surviving Minnesota. So with a little trial and quite a bit of error I was able to devise a few tips for those with a more temperate disposition. Read More

If I was able to run wild like a feline, I believe I would not hesitate one second in doing so. There are just so much places I want to see, smell and touch. A close friend once asked me about why I move so often. To that I replied with my own version of the greatest traveling quote I've ever encountered - so that I can come back home at some point and so that I can see where I come from with new eyes and extra colors. And you might see me different consequently of that. Coming back to where it all started is not the same as never leaving. By the way, the original quote is by author, Terry Pratchett. Read More

I know what you’re thinking, and you’re probably right. A blog about safety? How boring. I would have to agree. It’s not the most exciting, but by taking safety seriously, heeding all warnings, and wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) we can all help ourselves avoid serious harm. With that in mind, just humor me.The Corps values the safety of its members, plain and simple. If I had a dime for every time in the first few weeks I heard the words safety and PPE, I would probably have a fair few dollars to spend. In fact for chainsaw and wildfire training the instructors actually said that if we answered ‘safety’ for questions on the test that we just might receive some credit even if we didn’t know the answer. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it illustrates how we are to have situational awareness at all times and be very mindful of our actions; one little kickback of the chainsaw for a novice sawyer can cause a world of hurt. Read More

I have always been a hands-on person when it comes to learning new things. When it comes to chainsaws, there is no better way. When I first started with the Conservation Corps in February I was so excited to get moving right away. As most people know that is not exactly how it works with a new job, especially one that involves close proximity to hazardous tools. The first week of training passed and I had yet to hold, let alone see, a chainsaw and I was beginning to feel let down.          On Monday of the following week we met at our shop in Rochester to begin a ten-day, intensive training course at White Water State Park. I was so stoked for this was finally the time we would begin training beyond the essentials, such as team work, ethics and everyone’s favorite, paperwork. Read More