MICHIGAN—Building wilderness advocates: that’s just what the Wilderness Ranger program does at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area on the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Earlier this year, six participants, ages 18 to 25 years old, learned all about wilderness values, campfire safety, Leave No Trace principles and public outreach techniques. After completing the training, they officially became Wilderness Rangers. They spent the summer on wilderness trails and along the Lake Michigan shoreline and dunes engaging with campers and day-use visitors. They also worked on select partner projects across the forests, including turtle telemetry surveys with the wildlife biologists and “weed the wilderness” with the botany team.

“This is a great way to not only increase stewardship and care, it’s another way we can help connect people to these congressionally designated areas, which are unique in and of themselves,” said Scott Peedle, Cadillac/Manistee district ranger, Huron-Manistee National Forests.

The wilderness rangers focused on “in the wilderness” and “off the wilderness” engagement. Four wilderness rangers spent nearly 300 hours teaching more than 1,100 visitors (and 127 dogs) wilderness values and regulations while encouraging responsible recreation in the forest.

“Most of the visitors we have encountered are unaware of the wilderness regulations and it really helped to explain the “why” to them,” said Wilderness Ranger Amanda Mae Ashley. “We explained what untrammeled means a lot, as it’s the purest form of wilderness, and a little-known word to most.”

Off the wilderness engagement focused on building long-term benefits of this program by boosting public knowledge and awareness of sustainable outdoor recreation, increasing the understanding of outdoor ethics and promoting wilderness values with potential users. Two wilderness rangers created a display at the Michigan Department of Transportation Clare Visitors Center showcasing the Wilderness and Leave No Trace principles.

They also staffed information tables at REI Cooperative in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Transportation New Buffalo Visitors Center, as well as assisted with the forest’s review of digital material available to the public, focusing on explaining the “why.”

During 2022 and 2023, outreach will include additional face-to-face or virtual presentations to Detroit youth organizations through the Forest Service’s Urban Connections program.

The Wilderness Ranger program is a partnership between the forest, Urban Connections, Trout Unlimited and Student Conservation Association.

“Promoting stewardship of the Huron-Manistee National Forests through the Wilderness Ranger program will aid the protection of our valuable ecosystem in Michigan and will have benefits for generations to come,” said Jeremy Geist, Trout Unlimited. “Trout Unlimited is excited to be part of this program to increase awareness of our special places in Michigan.”