February Update<\/p>\n
And now to update you all on the latest news on funding our trail work.\u00a0 At this\u00a0time, all of our cost share agreements with the US Forest Service have been put on pause while the new federal administration evaluates the federal budget.\u00a0 We have been working using funding from several Challenge Cost Share Agreements that allow us to be paid by the US Forest Service to perform the trail work on their lands.\u00a0 We have one ongoing agreement to replace about 130 trail signs that were damaged in the wild fires of 2022, and close to signing\u00a02 more agreements to continue our volunteer trail work and to hire a hosted crew of 3 to replace 2 trail bridges in the Eagle Cap Wilderness this year.\u00a0 All of that is on hold for now and we do not know if any of it will be approved.\u00a0 Meanwhile, our Plan B is to apply for grants from non-federal organizations to tide us over until we have a better idea about how much support we will get from our federal partners.\u00a0 Please cross your fingers for us that something in Washington, DC settles out soon!<\/p>\n
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Now about trainings!<\/p>\n
And lastly, our partners at the US Forest Service have asked us to help get the word out about their Volunteer Wilderness Ranger positions in the Lakes Basin of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.\u00a0 If you or someone you know is interested in being a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger this summer here is the link to the application:<\/p>\n