On the right trail

While many University of Idaho students returned home or took off for exotic destinations during spring break, Emma Carscallen and a select few UI students traveled to Oregon to help preserve the environment.

With UI’s Alternative Service Break program (ASB), students worked on cleaning and maintaining trails in Tillamook State Forest.

“I think it’s so important, because if you’re not invested, if you don’t go out and you don’t appreciate what you have around us, it’s going to go away,” said Carscallen, a student-leader and facilitator during the trip. “It’s just fun to get out and absorb what’s around us.”

A first-year majoring in international studies and Spanish, Carscallen said the opportunity to help preserve Tillamook’s natural wonders gave her a greater appreciation of the work required in trail maintenance. Madi Thurston, another participant in ASB, agreed.

“It was cool to see a kind of behind-the-scenes look at what goes into maintaining public lands and trails,” Thurston said.

Thurston, a major in environmental science, said this was her first experience with ASB. She said the process of picking a trip took her by surprise, as applicants are not explicitly told where they will be traveling. Instead, students are given the general area and a brief description of the work required.

Courtesy | Emma Carscallen
UI students maintain trails in Oregon’s Tillamook State Forest.

“It sounded interesting because it talked about the history of the forest. It sounded really outdoorsy, and doing environmental work sounds interesting to me,” she said. “I love working outdoors.”

While Thurston and Carscallen said the trip offered unique experiences, both agreed that the pair of international students attending the trip were in awe of the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

Aziz and Sami Alezemi said they had never seen the Pacific Ocean before this trip, and also came away with a newfound appreciation for environmental protection.

“I learned that we have to take care of the environment, we have to take care of people who make the environment safe,” Aziz said. “We have to support them.”

Sami and Aziz said in their home country of Kuwait, many of the natural resources have been depleted. Sami encouraged others to participate in ASB, adding he won’t soon forget the memories he made with his newfound friends.

Near the end of the trip, while the group of students was completing their work on the trail, Thurston said many Oregon natives would stop by and express their gratitude of safer trails in the forest.

“There was another trail that other people had made themselves to get down to the river, but it was really steep and dangerous,” she said. “The department of forestry recognized that and decided to make a trail that would be safer and more accessible for everyone.”

Carscellan, meanwhile, urged to students to explore different ASB opportunities. She said if a student is worrying about costs, certain accommodations could be made.

“I wanted to help others have this amazing experience that I had,” she said. “You’ll be so thankful that you did.”

Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @brandonmtnhill