New Year Message from 2025 Chair Eric Malmborg
- Howdy!
- Dec 31, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 31
As we begin the New Year, we in ESWA have a lot to be thankful for: Strong leadership in all parts of the organization, new volunteers who are contributing their time and talents, and a great partnership with our USFS colleagues.
We are especially grateful for Zach Kauk’s hard work as 2024 board chair and for his leadership with our Sawyer program and in developing our new website. We invite you to take it for a spin!
ESWA is also lucky to have a core of dedicated and hardworking volunteers who have done the heavy lifting over the years in all areas of the organization. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and guidance.
We are also aware of the challenges to our work ahead, the most significant being uncertain levels of funding for the USFS and suspension of hiring seasonal employees. ESWA has had many conversations with our USFS partners over the past months regarding the implications of these budget cuts and our work together.
One way in which we’re helping to address this situation is the funding of a 14-week intern through Rocky Mountain Youth Corp to serve as a member of the White River National Forest Wilderness crew. This person will provide enough additional support to enable ESWA and the USFS to undertake an important work project in the Holy Cross Wilderness this coming fall. More on that to come!
In the coming months, keep your eye on this newsletter and the ESWA website calendar for upcoming events. We have a group of volunteers who are working on organizing social engagements to provide more opportunities to get to know one another and build our community – the next social event is January 23! Also look for such things as social gatherings after patrolling or trailhead hosting, “share your favorite trail” hikes, happy hours, and guest speaker events. Your ideas are welcome, so please get in touch with me if you’d like to get connected to this group.
When we ask new volunteers why they want to join us, the most common response is, “Because I want to give back to the places that have given me so much.” So, how can you give back through ESWA?
You can provide information and a smiling face to fellow hikers as a Trailhead Host
You can patrol trails educating and interacting with the public
You can work with a crew to repair trails and clear them of downed trees
You can offer your skills with social media communication
You can add your voice as we advocate for the Wilderness Areas we love so much!
Thank you for your support of ESWA. We look forward to your involvement and engagement this coming year. It’ll be fun!
Eric Malmborg
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