A Ouachita National Forest employee and a partner from the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Dogs were honored for their work by the Arkansas Trail Council at its symposium held at Blanchard Springs Recreation area near Mountain View last month.
Ronald Norris, a recreation technician on the Mena-Oden Ranger District in Mena, received the 2015 Arkansas Trail Professional of the Year award for accomplishments that included designing, building and installing information kiosks on the first two sections of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail; designing and constructing a reroute of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail on the Poteau Ranger District; reconstructing various sections of the Wolf Pen Gap trail system; and providing logistical support for the construction of trail shelters along the Ouachita National Recreation trail.
"When a job needs to get done, you can always count on Ronald," said Tim Oosterhous, Mena-Oden district ranger. "He brings a great skill set to the job and coordinates well with several different partners and volunteer groups. He's a great asset to the district and forest and we're proud of him and the other award winners."
Robert Cavanaugh, the Friends of the Ouachita Trail vice president for resources and a volunteer with the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Dogs, received the 2015 Arkansas Trail Advocate of the Year award.
Cavanaugh was recognized for his involvement with the development and construction of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. According to the nomination, he helped with the layout and design process and was an active member of the construction team throughout the eight-year build project. Cavanaugh played a key role in installing a wide range of trail amenities, including signing and blazing; trail bridge construction; bench placement; and constructing the accessible, elevated walkway section that crosses Denby Bay. As a member of the Trail Dogs, he also assumes responsibility for maintaining the trail.
"Robert is the very definition of an advocate," said Chris Ham, recreation manager for the Ouachita National Forest. "He promotes not only the organizations he volunteers for, but also the trails and communities near the Ouachita National Forest. We are fortunate to have such a partner in Robert Cavanaugh."
In 2014, the Lake Ouachita Vista trail was one of six trails throughout the world that received the International Mountain Bicycling Association's Epic designation. Overall, there are 40 Epic trails throughout the world, including four in Arkansas.
For the U.S. Forest Service, it is the second consecutive time that an employee has received the Arkansas Trail Professional of the Year award.
Ham received the 2014 award for his work on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail shelter project.
Local on 08/01/2015