Friends of Northern Arizona Forests

State of the Organization for 2025

by Bob Dyer, FoNAF President

As I look back on the 2024-2025 work year and the many, many contributions FoNAF has made to sustain and improve the health of our forests, I thought it was important to reflect on our mission statement and reassure us that our organization is meeting expectations and hopefully exceeding them.  We are, in fact, doing the latter.  As a refresher, our “Mission Statement” is as follows:

“We are dedicated to assisting the Forest Service and other resource management agencies in maintaining, protecting, and restoring the natural and cultural resources and the scenic beauty of our forest lands for the enjoyment and use of present and future generations. We are a solution-oriented volunteer group that works in partnership with these agencies to assist in tasks they do not have the staff or the funds to accomplish.”

Based on FoNAF’s reputation that has been building since the beginning in 2009, I can confidently say FoNAF has fulfilled our mission and continues its upward momentum every year for making our treasured forests safe, healthy, and beautiful.  

In addition to our expanding geographical coverage toward the Kaibab National Forest, in 2025 our volunteers contributed 500 more hours than in 2024, and a new team has been formed for cutting small pine tree saplings.  Although this purpose may seem contradictory to our overall goals, the “Lopping Team” is endorsed and fully supported by Coconino National Forest’s silviculturist, Mark Nabel.  The team’s highest priority is lopping off saplings in and around aspen exclosures. Overgrowth of Ponderosa Pines precludes healthy conditions for young aspen trees.  There is an endless supply of saplings in all forest locations, so this team has job security for ever. 

Team Highlights and Accomplishments

Aspen Team

Thanks to all the team members and to Tom Mackin, Outdoor Coordinator and VP, for another amazing year of making our forests better.  The Aspen Team has roughly 24 core members, representing a high percentage of our total FoNAF membership of 58. Twice weekly during the work season from April through October, projects typically have ten to twelve enthusiastic, dedicated, and knowledgeable team members signing up.  The statical results are below:

We very much appreciated the support and participation from the Forest Service in our “boots on the ground” efforts.  The results this year are once again stellar and reflect the dedication and expertise of Tom Mackin.  He deserves our sustaining thanks for his leadership and major influence on the success of the Aspen Team.

Cross-Cut Sawyer Team

On most every Monday during the season a group of Forest Service and FoNAF volunteers led by Jim McGeorge hike regional trails to remove fallen trees, to trim branches hanging over the trails and to remove hazardous material from the trail tread. The group is basically giving some love to our local trails and making it easier for trail users.

2025 has been a banner year with many of our volunteers discovering the cross-cutting (X-Cut) experience to be very rewarding and have become sustaining, well trained team members.  In fact, eight volunteers are now cross-cut certified by the Forest Service. Below are a few key statistics for this past season:

·        Trees cut/moved = 281 through 10/15/25   (269 in 2024)

·        New X-Cut Sawyer Certifications --- 8 Total (4 A and 4 B)

·        34 Outings --- November thru 10/15/25   (24 in 2024)

·        Most trees in one day---42

·        2 Outings to Lockette Meadow

The X-Cut Team’s primary mission is to saw and remove trees that have fallen across some of the 420 miles of trails in the Flagstaff Ranger District.  Because the team’s focus is on Wilderness areas, manual cross-cut saws must be used since mechanical tools are prohibited. 

The X-Cut team is often called to venture beyond Wilderness territories.  This year Lockette Meadow was also visited twice to load and deliver to the Flagstaff Ranger Station “rounds” of 1’ to 1.5’ pre-cut aspen tree trunks.  Cutting had been done for thinning purposes in conjunction with fire prevention and mitigation plans.

PSAR Team at Humphreys Trailhead

Once again, the PSAR volunteers fulfilled the high expectations from the Forest Service for delivering a valued service to hikers this season at the Humphreys Peak Trailhead, as well as mitigating expensive mountain calls to Search and Rescue services.  Lead Forest Service volunteer and FoNAF member, Holly Maszk, coordinates the dedicated team of FoNAF volunteers and Forest Service representatives. Volunteers work the trailhead every weekend and all holidays during the season, making sure visitors received valuable information about trail conditions, safety, preparedness, and wilderness ethics.

A new kiosk was built and installed this year at the trailhead using the combined skills of Matt Sommer and Gannon Maszk from the Forest Service staff.  New informative text, photos and maps were recreated for the attractive, professional signage.  Curt Knight facilitated the editing and printing of the aluminum posters and the creation of allied, free standing billboards for biking and animal instructions.

Of significance for the team this year was the relocation and construction of a chairlift at Snowbowl near the trailhead.  It was a point of contention for some local visitors, requiring the PSAR volunteers to explain the rationale and impact of the relocation on the Aspen Nature Trail. The new and improved trail opened in September and has gained very favorable reactions from visitors and relief for the trailhead staff.

Aspen Exclosure Stewards

Our volunteers who sign on as Stewards continued to do semi-annual inspections of their assigned aspen exclosures.  These visits are done twice a year in spring and fall with the primary purpose of identifying damage to the exclosure fencing and then either making quick repairs or reporting the damage to the Stewardship Coordinator, Sue Priest.

New for this year is as an enhanced reporting system and on-site questionnaire for the collection of very useful data on exclosure conditions (non-fencing).  In conjunction with Mark Nabel, silviculturist, Sue Priest crafted a comprehensive set of questions that provide feedback on aspen rejuvenation, invasive pines, and diseased trees in and around the exclosure.

The initial data gathered results has been very beneficial to the Forest Service and will ultimately enhance the management of aspen groves.  Most importantly, FoNAF volunteers can be the observers for over 70 exclosures in one month, saving valuable time for the Forest Service personnel.

Lopping Team  

The newly formed Lopping Team went into the field in September for the first testing equipment and recording effective lopping techniques. When the full season opens next year, they will go out twice a month. 

Under the leadership of Rob Vane, FoNAF purchased an electric brush cutter (similar in design to a weed whacker), multiple batteries, and appropriate safety equipment.  Safety training is conducted by Forest Service staff for all the volunteers prior to joining in a project.

Endorsed by our silviculturist, the mission is to cut down small pine saplings in and around exclosures to allow aspens to thrive and reduce competition for sun and nutrients with the pines. Also on their radar are pines and pinions in open forest land that prevent wildlife finding shelter and comfort from predators.

Summary of Volunteer Hours for FY2025

The volunteer hours for 2025 have once again exceeded the previous year’s totals.  We are very proud of the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated throughout our work season and year-round by those performing important non-field support duties.

Aspen Team:              3586

Cross-Cut Team                        706  

PSAR (all volunteers)             1572

Exclosure Stewards                   197

Lopping Team                             59

Individual Hours*:              811

Total Volunteer Hours             6931

           (2024 = 6415)          

*Individual hours are for non-field activities such fulfilling a range of administrative duties, reconning work sites, equipment purchases and maintenance

President's Closing Message

A final comment is to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all our volunteers for the outstanding work they have done in 2025.  Our leadership is solid and committed to guiding the organization toward even greater results and volunteer satisfaction in 2026. FoNAF is a wonderful organization and will continue to fulfill our mission to the Forest Service.

Besides our satisfaction in completing so many projects safely and successfully this year, we must not overlook the comradery from a group of like thinking volunteers, experiencing the beautiful forests in Northern Arizona, and enjoying the satisfaction of our enduring friendships.

Thanks to everyone!  We had a great year.

Bob Dyer                                                              

President, FoNAF