Spring Trips Cancelled & Ongoing Advocacy
Many of you are probably awaiting news about what will happen with BWAC May trips. As the COVID-19 situation is evolving from day to day, it has not been easy to forecast the future. The BWAC Board of Directors met on April 7 with May trail clearing trips at the top of the agenda. The board heard the advice of our volunteer attorney, suggestions on mitigating risks from a BWAC member who is also a physician, and decided that even if the MN Stay Home order was lifted, to cancel the trips in order to protect the volunteers and potentially, the communities we visit. Trip participants will be able to get a complete refund, or credit the registration toward future trips or make a tax-exempt donation to BWAC by contacting their crew leaders.
Dear Members,
Many of you are probably awaiting news about what will happen with BWAC May trips. As the COVID-19 situation is evolving from day to day, it has not been easy to forecast the future. The BWAC Board of Directors met on April 7 with May trail clearing trips at the top of the agenda. The board heard the advice of our volunteer attorney, suggestions on mitigating risks from a BWAC member who is also a physician, and decided that even if the MN Stay Home order was lifted, to cancel the trips in order to protect the volunteers and potentially, the communities we visit. Trip participants will be able to get a complete refund, or credit the registration toward future trips or make a tax-exempt donation to BWAC by contacting their crew leaders.
There is good news too. BWAC recently signed a Volunteer Service Agreement (VSA) with the U.S. Forest Service. This agreement allows BWAC to maintain the Powwow Trail for the next three years. What’s more, the Forest Service is very impressed by the magnitude of the BWAC volunteers’ accomplishments on the Powwow Trail and indicated that they will begin working on several improvements on the PWT this spring. Based on our discussion, we hope that the campsites will be restored or replaced within three years.
Another positive fact is that last year, BWAC completed cutting 99.9% of jack pines from the trail. Were those jack pines not removed from five miles of trail, we would need to devote 3-4 crews just to clear much bigger pines from trail this fall.
What are the future plans? We hope that as the plague subsides, to engage in small group survey hikes on the Powwow to determine which trail segments will need most work after winter storms. Depending on the Governor’s order and directions we may organize crews of 4-5 in summer to lower the health risk. And we are all looking to go on trips starting Labor Day weekend and through October.
Your enthusiasm, the engine that drives volunteer organizations like BWAC, is high. This was manifested by having all but one of eight trips filled to capacity--67 registrations--and again on April 9 when thirty-three volunteers attended the crew member training via Hangouts video conference. Keep your spirits high and look forward to trips later this summer and fall, because in addition to volunteering, BWAC has one hundred Powwow Trail maps/bandannas to give away to 2020 crews.
Thank you for keeping in touch and we will communicate with you again before the end of April, when we may be able to tentatively schedule local hikes.
Regards,
Martin Kubik, BWA Committee, Founder and President
BWAC Spring Orientation Moves to Online
BWAC is less than one month away from our first spring trip, and a world away from plans and hopes launched in January. BWAC leadership now meets virtually, and the 2020 spring crew orientation will be online. Plan to log in on April 9th at 6:00 p.m. for trail and club presentations. Enjoy a few moments imagining yourself in the wilderness, whether you will be visiting the trail this spring or in the future.
Dear BWAC Members and Friends,
BWAC is less than one month away from our first spring trip, and a world away from plans and hopes launched in January. BWAC leadership now meets virtually, and the 2020 spring crew orientation will be online. Plan to log in on April 9th at 6:00 p.m. for trail and club presentations. Enjoy a few moments imagining yourself in the wilderness, whether you will be visiting the trail this spring or in the future.
Minnesotans have been social distancing since mid-March, and now “Stay Home MN” is in effect for at least the coming two weeks. While many of us are thinking creatively about how to go forward with BWAC spring trips, we also are aware it would be irresponsible to risk the safety of our members or of the people and businesses we will encounter if we leave home.
Planning for a month from now, or for two days from now, is difficult. BWAC has canceled the early May condo overnight and day trip to the Powwow Trail. Overnight trips are not canceled as of today, but doing so is a possibility. Anyone registered for a trip may cancel without penalty and receive a trip credit or full refund, or choose to use your fee to make a tax-exempt donation to the BWAC 501(c)(3). Contact me or your crew leader if you have made a decision or would like to discuss.
BWAC and U.S. Forest Service representatives met this past Monday and discussed campsite restoration and safety concerns along the Powwow Trail. You, the BWAC advocates and volunteers, are truly bringing back the Powwow for hikers today and into the future. The trail will be there when we are ready and able to visit.
Thank you for your support. Stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Susan Pollock and the BWAC Leadership