At the Reid Lake Foot Travel Area of the Huron National Forest.
I am standing on a bridge here when I took this and the photo that follows. This bridge is significant for several reasons. First of all I am surrounded by a completely changed landscape. The pond and dam are relatively recent additions. I found the trail flooded out here on a hike some thirty years ago - much to my surprise! I talked to the district ranger of the Forest Service and devised a plan to keep the trail open with minimal disturbance to the processes of nature. The Forest Service would supply the lumber and tools if I could persuade the members of our local Sierra Club group to provide the labor. With the help of several legendary members from downstate we were able to build a sturdy bridge, not just over a flooded section of trail but between our group and the Forest Service.
Over the following years we worked together on numerous Earth Day projects back on the forest - planting trees, repairing erosion, installing fences to block illegal ORV use, etc. Just as noteworthy it gave us a seat at the table when management decisions were being considered for the Reid Lake FTA and the surrounding forest.
And so this provides an explanation for the Earth Day photo tour that I am posting here on Flickr. Hope you enjoy the photos and most importantly gain a renewed sense of hope that there are ways we can protect and preserve our shared environment!
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