'Tis the Season for Training at SBFC

Author:  Mallory Scharf-CFLR Trail Crew Member

All seasonal SBFC staff have officially started their seasons, and we took this opportunity to convene for staff training in early May at the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station in Idaho. Joined by Program Director Coby Gierke, we spent a week orienting ourselves with the history and mission of SBFC, completing a bridge maintenance project on a nearby trail, and taking turns teaching lessons to our peers. We saw a bit of each other’s unique interests and experience shine through as we learned about edible and medicinal plants in the area, discussed the importance of good ergonomics and mindfulness in our daily lives, and debated details of our personal commitments to Leave No Trace ethics in Wilderness travel.

More training is ahead in May and early June as some of us brush up on our first aid training in Missoula and then we all return to Lochsa once again to train our interns! Our hard work now will pay off mid-June when we disperse into the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church – River of No Return Wildernesses to steward the precious lands we’re lucky enough to call home for the summer.