The Trail Steward of the Year award recognizes a volunteer whose work contributes in an extraordinary manner to Trail management and development.
These contributions include:
- Strengthening landowner and/or partner relations;
- Trail layout, design, and construction;
- Significant trail maintenance and stewardship efforts.
This year’s award recognizes Gerald “Jerry” Pfeifer, Trailwide volunteer.
Image carousel: 1. Patty Dreier, Alliance Board President (2022-2023), bestows the Trail Steward of the Year award. 2. Dave Caliebe, Trail Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance, highlights Jerry’s volunteer service. 3. Dave and Jerry smile for the camera. Photos by Cameron Gillie, AroundWisco.com
As Dave Caliebe, Trail Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance wrote in his nomination letter:
“Gerald “Jerry” Pfeifer has a long history of volunteering and leading crews at MSC events. And, since moving to the Mount Horeb area, he has stepped up in a big way to help locally, trailwide, and even behind the scenes. In 2021, Jerry led crews that constructed more than 900 feet of boardwalk across the state at MSC events. Additionally, he became a trusted leader, managing not only boardwalk crews but overseeing multiple crews while thinking ahead to keep a project on schedule. Jerry willingly helps help out in any way possible. For example, even if he hasn’t signed up for an event and it needs an extra experienced hand, he’s been known to change his plans to assist with the project.
Locally, Jerry has taken over mowing the Montrose Segment and has been a steady presence at numerous Dane County Chapter trail improvement days. Behind the scenes, Jerry regularly helps at the Alliance tool shed by organizing tool trailers, cutting scrap lumber into useable pieces, and figuring out better ways to store equipment. In summary, our projects run smoother because of Jerry’s work before and during the events.”
Congratulations, Jerry!
Thank you for all you do on behalf of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.