Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards

Trail Infrastructure Program: Across federal public lands, SAWS field crews maintain, restore, and construct trail tread and infrastructure in remote and wilderness areas. In 2024, we brushed over 15 miles of trail corridor, built 552 feet of rock cribbing, maintained 208 drainage features, installed 56 rock steps, removed 649 downed trees, and constructed 7,328 feet of new trail tread. Training and Education Program: SAWS delivers specialized training in wilderness stewardship, crosscut saw use, wilderness first aid, trail infrastructure, Leave No Trace, and public land management. In 2024, we co-led the annual Wilderness Skills Institute serving 183 participants, 10 national forests and regions, and 28 partner organizations through 9 free courses over two weeks, providing certifications and hands-on learning opportunities to agency staff, partners, and volunteers to promote excellence in stewardship. Additionally, we led 21 trainings including certifying 135 crosscut saw sawyers under U.S. Forest Service standards.

Workforce Development Program: SAWS provides paid field positions and leadership development opportunities to the next generation of conservation stewards. In 2024, we created 25 new jobs and delivered 4,720 hours of professional development training for seasonal crews, rangers, and specialists who gained hands-on experience in conservation, trail work, and leadership. Many alumni return for additional seasons or go on to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and public land service. Disaster Response Program: SAWS maintains expert C-certified sawyers and trail specialists ready to lead and mobilize crews for natural disaster response in wilderness areas using traditional tools and adhering to wilderness law and policy. In 2024, SAWS responded to two natural disasters on federal land: Tropical Storm Fred on the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forest in North Carolina and flood damage on the Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest. Community Engagement Program: Across the Southern Appalachian Mountains, SAWS engages community volunteers, partners, and the public through stewardship projects, educational outreach, and collaborative events. In 2024, we hosted 98 stewardship events including 62 volunteer projects, 21 trainings, 13 outreach events, and 2 education events. These efforts supported 4,020 hours of volunteer stewardship service.