W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest manager wins Friend of the Trail award
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
AUGUSTA — A local forester has been formally recognized for his work on the North Country Trail.
Kenneth KJ Kettler, manager of the W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest in Augusta, has received the Friend of the Trail award from the North Country Trail Association in acknowledgement of his "extraordinary efforts" in supporting the trail.
“There is a longstanding relationship with the NCTA and Kellogg Forest has been supportive of the trail and hikers. KJ has shown extraordinary efforts in continuing the support,” Jeff Fleming, member of the Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA, said in a news release. “Whenever there is a need or an issue to be addressed regarding the NCT, KJ has been available and willing to resolve those as needed. Thanks to his leadership and can-do attitude, he is a shining example of a cooperative partner.”
The North Country National Scenic Trail guides visitors through the heart of the Kellogg Forest, providing multiple views of Augusta Creek and many opportunities to observe ongoing research conducted by researchers from Michigan State University and other universities.
Projects viewable from the trail have included harvests and thinning of red pine, white pine, and Norway spruce, the regeneration of oak in conifer plantations, a beech bark disease study, and a storm salvage harvest underplanted with white oak protected from deer browse by grow tubes.
Kettler says the collaboration with the NCTA is possible due to aligned goals and objectives.
“We share an appreciation for nature and this space, and allowing many groups access to things like fishing, birding, and the department of forestry demonstrations,” Kettler said. “The trail provides access to a safe environment for the public while respecting boundaries and preventing disruption to research projects.”
The trail itself has been rerouted four times in the last two years due to the sale of adjacent private property, altering trail access, as well as an ongoing logging research project. COVID-related restrictions also affected access to public areas mandated for research.
“Anytime we have needed to reroute the trail, the NCTA has never complained. They’ve been a champion for us. Their purpose of having a trail through here really complements our outreach objective,” Kettler said.
A larger, collaborative project between Kellogg Forest and NCTA included rebuilding a footbridge over Augusta Creek. The project, led by Kettler with cooperation from volunteers in the NCTA, involved replacing deteriorating foundation beams. The bridge’s deck and railing were salvaged and rebuilt on the new foundation.
The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches 4,800 miles across eight states, making it the longest National Scenic Trail in America, and runs right through Kellogg Experimental Forest.
Established on abandoned agricultural land, the 716-acre Kellogg Experimental Forest is known worldwide for research on tree breeding and genetics, planting techniques, and plantation establishment and management, and is one of 15 off-campus MSU AgBioResearch centers across the state.
For more information, visit canr.msu.edu/kelloggforest.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest manager wins Friend of the Trail award
