Bob Kahl works at the Grand Island National Recreation Area. The U.S. Forest Service has announced that Kahl and Linda Rehorst, two Hiawatha National Forest volunteers, have been selected to receive the 2022 Eastern Region Volunteer Award in the Enduring Service category. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — The U.S. Forest Service has announced that two Hiawatha National Forest volunteers have been selected to receive the 2022 Eastern Region Volunteer Award in the Enduring Service category.

Those volunteers, Bob Kahl and Linda Rehorst, have been faithful volunteers in support of operations and maintenance of Grand Island National Recreation Area program on the Munising Ranger District of the Hiawatha National Forest since 2011, the USFS said. Since 2011, they have amassed over 9,000 volunteer hours on Grand Island.

Kahl and Rehorst, both of whom commute from the Marquette area, have consistently volunteered their time two to three — sometimes up to five — days a week to support operations on Grand Island, the USFS said.

“We appreciate the dedication and hard work of these two amazing volunteers,” Hiawatha Forest Supervisor Mary Moore said in a news release.

As part of their volunteer service, Kahl and Rehorst connected with island visitors to help them plan their stay on the island. They made, stacked and delivered firewood to campsites, and conducted road and trail clearing and maintenance.

They painted; installed new picnic tables and fire rings at campsites/day-use areas; maintained, repaired and cleaned facilities; conducted compliance education of Forest Service rules and regulations; maintained positive relationships with Grand Island recreation residents; installed new signage; and closed/rehabilitated unauthorized trails and campsites.

Hiawatha recreation specialist Brian Hinch nominated the pair for the award.

“Bob and Linda’s consistency, hard work and dedication are testaments to the care and love they have for Grand Island,” Hinch said. “The staffing and project support they have provided has been invaluable to the success of island operations.”

According to Hinch, Kahl and Rehorst are ideal volunteers: self-motivated, dedicated, hardworking and ethical. Bringing these skills to the table, they produce “incredible” results during their volunteer hours, the USFS said.

“They understand the work and maintenance that needs to be done to maintain the island’s infrastructure and maximize their hours to ensure the public’s needs are served,” said Hinch, who noted that each day they volunteer, their daily check-out text message includes a “mile-long” list of items accomplished, questions and ideas they both may have to make the island a better place to visit.

“I don’t know two volunteers that deserve this Eastern Region Volunteer Service Award for Enduring Service more than these two reliable volunteers,” Moore said. “They are model for the volunteerism that the Forest Service strives to attract and retain in support of the Forest Service mission.”

Anyone interested in volunteering in the forest is asked to contact their local district office for more information. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/contactus/hiawatha/about-forest/contactus.