Northology and Wisconsin Overland returned to the Nicolet National Forest in 2025 for another successful community cleanup and campout—this time under challenging circumstances. With the government shutdown preventing the Forest Service from joining in person, volunteers still had the agency’s full support, gratitude, and encouragement to complete the stewardship work. They also had the support of Tread Lightly! and a grant from the BFGoodrich Outstanding Trails program to provide gloves, trash bags, and other supplies.
Because federal staff could not participate, the community stepped up even further by coordinating the dumpster delivery and retrieval, targeting the site that needed attention and gathering the volunteers for the meetup. Members pooled funds to rent the dumpster and sponsored the trail lunch, with Slap Bang Bagel once again providing hearty meals to keep everyone fueled. Northology handled overall coordination and ensured volunteers had a smooth, welcoming basecamp for the weekend.
The morning started out with coffee, a drivers meeting, goody bags and door prizes (Edmund Fitzgerald trivia edition) before heading out to tackle the trash. Eighteen volunteers showed up ready to work, contributing a combined 108 hours of hands-on cleanup effort (18 volunteers x 6 hours each). Unlike last year, the group stayed together as one unit, focusing all available energy on clearing a remote dump site they were unable to reach during the previous cleanup. The extra coordination paid off, and the team was able to remove and fill a 25 yard dumpster’s worth of trash from deep within the forest near the headwaters of the Wolf River.
Despite the barriers created by the shutdown, the 2025 cleanup went forward with determination, cooperation, and good spirits. By the end of the day, the volunteers had successfully cleared the long-neglected site, filled the rented dumpster, and left the forest measurably better than they found it. “We’re out here because we love this place,” August Rich said while tossing another armload of debris into the dumpster. “Without community action, abandoned dump sites like this would continue to grow, harming wildlife, water, and the outdoor experience for everyone,” said Cindy Pope.
The group camped at Bear Lake Campground from Friday through Sunday, compliments of the Forest Service, enjoying time around the fire, swapping stories, and reflecting on why these stewardship efforts matter. The sense of pride and responsibility was shared across the group, echoing the values that make these annual cleanups possible.
The effort stands as a testament to what local recreators can accomplish when they work together—even without formal agency presence. It also reflects the ongoing commitment of Northology, Wisconsin Overland, and their supporters to care for the public lands they use and enjoy. Big thanks to Tread Lightly!, BFGoodrich, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Service Laona Ranger station, Wisconsin Overland, Slap Bang Bagel, The MOORE Expo, OnX Offroad, MidlandUSA, Radio Chatter and the volunteers and contributors who made this work day happen.
