Our Stories

Phil Anderson, Joe Hardisky, and Mark VanHornweder: Volunteer Spotlight

2020 Distinguished Service Awards

Phil Anderson. Phil has served as the Brule-St. Croix Chapter Trail Maintenance Coordinator for ten years, while tending his own section of trail and participating regularly on the Wisconsin Roving Trail Crew to build major projects all across the state. So it was his job to convey quality standards to all two dozen of his trail caretakers, train new people, and keep them equipped with tools and mowers from two tool trailers. His capabilities have been especially helpful when any crew needed to build structures like either truss or beam bridges, and he invented a good plan for erecting trailhead kiosks. He has been personally attentive to the Chapter’s trail signage.

Joe Hardisky. While Joe has long been a member of the Wampum Chapter appreciated for his constant trail work on both maintenance and creating new off-road trails, he has also participated on projects for all four Pennsylvania NCT Chapters. In fact, his good work is so well-known that some local parks rely on him to create solutions and gather volunteers to fix places that are beyond the park’s abilities, especially in the challenging gorge at McConnell’s Mills State Park. Whenever he is offered the help from an outside group, for instance, the Student Conservation Association Crew, he always has ready in his mind a good project to make use of the extra hands. He is always working beside the other volunteers, too, creating a productive situation and teaching others.

Mark VanHornweder. While Mark’s home territory on the NCT is the Brule-St. Croix Chapter, he has also worked extensively for the Superior Hiking Trail, principally designing the section between Two Harbors and Duluth, and he still tends a section of trail in Minnesota. Mark has participated in many Rovers Crew projects back in Wisconsin, where he is especially valued for his good sense at trail location. Now he is President of the BSC Chapter and has a seat on the national NCTA Board, where he is noted for his attention to detail and good suggestions.

Who are you thankful for in your local Chapter, state or region? Nominate them for an NCTA Award! Learn more at northcountrytrail.org/volunteer/volunteer-awards.