About 400 volunteers put in more than 92,000 hours of volunteer work in 2016, accomplishing a variety of tasks. Volunteers maintain hundreds of miles of trails, work on road maintenance projects, address erosion in riparian areas to reduce sedimentation in streams, pick up trash, treat invasive species and help teach visitors about recreation and conservation.

“Volunteers are woven into the very fabric of the Pisgah, and the district is committed to supporting them to the greatest extent possible,” said a press release issued by Pisgah National Forest.

The Regional Forester’s Awards recognize groups and individuals in the Southeastern U.S. who go above and beyond in demonstrating their commitment to excellence and hard work.