Our Stories
2021 Distinguished Service Award: Volunteer Spotlight
2021 Distinguished Service Award
Bruce Johnson. A retired science teacher, Bruce joined the Itasca Moraine Chapter in 2006. Not afraid of heavy work, he eventually celebrated with his Chapter the completion of the NCNST from Itasca State Park to the Chippewa National Forest in 2009. Bruce was then up to the task of maintaining this new Trail. He stores and maintains the trailers, mowers, chainsaws, and other tools on his property. He preps tools for whoever is using them next and often delivers them to the trailheads. Each spring, he demonstrates the mowers, hand tools, and blaze painting. He has led the way in developing campsites along the Trail, complete with a campfire ring, tents sites, a latrine, and his homemade “table bench.” He builds and installs benches and registration boxes. Bruce attends and leads Chapter hikes, maintains relationships with local land managers, and is involved in Chapter leadership. He also helped develop the Guide to Hiking the North Country Trail in Minnesota, authored by his wife Linda Johnson, and Susan Carol Hauser.
Connie Julien. Previously serving as the Peter Wolfe Chapter’s Trail Manager and Vice President, Connie Julien became Chapter President in 2014. Her passion and commitment for the NCT is obvious. Connie does it all. She organizes Chapter meetings, promotes group hikes, checks in with adopters, contacts interested volunteers, facilitates outside crews, and communicates often with the NCTA and NPS. Connie was instrumental in keeping an impressive and scenic off-road reroute project moving forward in Baraga County – scouting, flagging, organizing, communicating. Providing hikers a premier footpath that offers a superb experience is something that Connie takes great pride in. She is a gem that will be hard to replace, if not impossible, whenever that day arrives.
Richard Lutz. Richard joined the NCTA in 1996 and has been a most devoted and active member. He was instrumental in organizing the Wampum Chapter in 1997, and served as its first President for at least five years. The Trail had such an influence on his life, he earned a degree in Park and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. He has negotiated agreements with landowners – both individuals and corporations – for the Trail to traverse their properties. He has scouted, mapped, and built trail for many years. In 2011, Richard began working with the Buckeye Trail Association via AmeriCorps, and was eventually hired as their Trail Preservation Coordinator. He is now the Director of Trail Development and continues to volunteer.
Who from your local Chapter, state or region do you want to celebrate? Nominate them for an NCTA Award! Awards are annual, and nominations for 2022 NCTA Awards are open through May 1, 2022.