Local forest volunteer wins regional award
There are roughly 3,800 acres of land inside the borders of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
Chances are, Dick Evans knows every inch of them like the back of his hand.
A volunteer with the U.S. Forest Service since 2004, Evans has logged more than 10,000 hours combing through the luscious greenery to ensure its legacy will stand the test of time. He has launched an untold amount of maintenance missions; applied for and obtained grants that benefitted the forest; and helped train others who wished to join the cause.
Taking one look at Evans as he unsuspectingly stood in the parking lot of the forest Monday evening, it’s easy to see why he spends so much time in the great outdoors: he feels right at home.
Others have noticed, including the U.S. Forest Service natural resource specialist for both the Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger districts, Heath Emmons. For the last three years, Emmons has lobbied to get Evans the recognition he so richly deserves.
The affirmation finally rolled in April 9, but the news was kept hush-hush until 6:30 p.m. Monday, when Emmons returned from his truck carrying both a bundle of awards and adulation for the former U.S. Army Ranger.
The honor from the U.S. Forest Service is officially dubbed the Region 8 Volunteer Award, which Emmons said covers 13 states across the Southeast.
“I thought, ‘This is the year,’” Emmons told the crowd of around 25 in attendance for Monday’s presentation. “Dick is a go-to guy for anything wilderness-related. He is extremely knowledgeable regarding forest service policies, regulations and history of the area.
“He is an invaluable resource to new employees in the district, with his institutional knowledge of the area.”
While running through some of Evans’ contributions over the years, Emmons cited perhaps the most significant of all: stretching beyond the Joyce Kilmer borders and into the Snowbird Wilderness in another self-driven mission to replace around 50 trail-marker signs that had either became too deteriorated to read or were non-existent to begin with.
These signs have proved critical in helping with the various search and rescue missions personnel embark on each year in the popular hiking destination that is Graham County.
“He came back to me with a presentation-quality binder,” Emmons said. “Every single stop had a picture, a map, a description and a suggestion of what was needed. The work has always been exceptional and detailed. You have another calling as a wilderness ranger, I can tell you that.
“The quality of work from the projects we’ve worked on together has always been stellar. I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me out in the 10 years I’ve been here. You’ve made my life so much easier.”
President of the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Inc., Evans has also:
* Obtained $12,500 in grant monies to rehabilitate 6 miles of trail that was damaged in the 2016 Maple Springs wildfire;
* Also obtained $30,000 to help preserve giant Tulip Poplars that have seen increased wear and tear from visitor use;
* Organized the 75th anniversary celebration event of the original dedication of the forest, as well as the 100-year commemoration event of poet Joyce Kilmer’s death.
But once his lengthy list of accolades all finally lingered in the forest air, Evans had little to say – for himself.
“This isn’t just an individual award – this took the work of a lot of people,” Evans said.
“It’s a group effort, and I accept it on behalf of the group.”