David Lonsdorf 2021 Spirit Stick Winner

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail, Spirit Stick Winner

David Lonsdorf, newly appointed Spirit Stick caretaker for 2021, is known for his high spirits at a trail improvement event. Photo by Joanne Ellarson.

The Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Spirit Stick award signifies long-term dedication and service to the Trail, carried out in a spirit of cooperation, optimism and enthusiasm. The recipient leads by example and inspires those around them.

A trailwide award, the Spirit Stick is presented to only one recipient each year. The recipient of the 2021 Spirit Stick award is David Lonsdorf, Dane County Chapter.

Mike Wollmer, Executive Director, summarized David’s remarkable contributions with the following words:

“Congratulations Dave! We’re proud to select you as the most deserving caretaker of the Spirit Stick. I’m not sure there isn’t a volunteer role Dave hasn’t played and accepted enthusiastically within the Ice Age Trail Alliance. He has contributed to many Mobile Skills Crew events, countless local Dane County projects, served as a Dane County chapter leader, and on our Board of Directors, where he served six years – two as president. He has volunteered locally, statewide, and even dabbled in our national presence, having traveled to Washington, D.C. with our team to advocate with our representatives and agency partners.

Dave was on the cutting edge, recognizing the Ice Age Trail and the land that hosts it as inseparable partners, bringing great value to each other. He’s helped protect land with a passion in every manner. He’s advocated with local government, coordinated fund-raising events, led the effort to establish Verona as a Trail Community, promoted hikes, and planted prairies.

As an accomplished chain-sawyer, he has dulled more chains and burned more brush than I can describe, which brings me to my final point. Please be careful with the Spirit Stick; it’s very dry wood.”

Learn more about Dave in this Volunteer Spotlight.