MUIRNet-News Glossaries

Chester, CA (Oct 6, 2009) - Friends of the High Lakes were nominated by Region Five (California) for the Forest Service National 2008 Volunteer Award.  The Friends of the High Lakes group competed nationally for the Volunteer Sponsored Group honor.  While they did not receive the national award in this category, the nomination representing sponsored groups of California from Region 5 is quite an honor.

The Friends of the High Lakes gained distinction by organizing nine local clubs, volunteers, and interested parties to develop an adopt-a–trail program for patrol and maintenance of the High Lakes OHV area of the Lassen National Forest.  All of these entities have truly collaborated with the Forest Service in the management of High Lakes. Chairman Ken Knull and Co-Chairman Nick Repanich coordinate all these efforts to be most efficient in completing needed resource work and educating users.

Since the Friends of the High Lakes inception in 2007, the group has moved over 100 tons of rock, completed trail maintenance, installed needed signing, and developed patrols to educate and inform users to stay on designated (posted) trails, and use light on the land camping techniques.  In addition, the group has eliminated many braided trails, developed brochures, signs, and maps all used to encourage proper use of the area.  

The group was recognized in an informal presentation by the Forest Service, District Ranger Al Vazquez, on September 26, 2009, National Public Lands Day at Spring Valley Lake prior to the group completing fall maintenance in the area.  The group will be recognized more formally in early November by Forest Supervisor Kathleen Morse, of the Lassen National Forest.

Friends of the High Lakes Chairman Knull said he is “extremely proud of the group to have been selected for this honor and 100 percent of the credit goes to each individual and each club that has done an awesome job in making it happen.”

For information about the Friends of the High Lakes Organization, contact Chairman Knull at (530) 873-2430 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information, contact District Resource Officer Jane Goodwin, Almanor Ranger District at (530) 258-2141.

-LNF-