Fall Lady Slipper Award: Stefan Israel
Introducing Stefan Israel, our 2020 Fall Lady Slipper Award recipient! Stefan has been a volunteer with Conserving Carolina for over two years. After retiring early from a career as a professional translator and moving back to his hometown of Asheville, Stefan hit the hiking trails. He mostly hiked private trails at first and thanked the owners by providing volunteer maintenance on those trails. Stefan decided to find a dedicated trail maintenance group to learn from and that is when he was steered towards our Trails Crew, lovingly named the Rock Crushers. Stefan has never looked back!
Not only is Stefan a loyal Rock Crushers crew member, but he also goes out on his own to help maintain the soon to open Strawberry Gap Trail, helps with other events, and is always quick to start a conversation with other hikers about Conserving Carolina and our conservation message.
When asked what his most rewarding experience in volunteering with Conserving Carolina was, Stefan said that there are so many good times, there is not one that stands out. Most every trail day is a good day to Stefan! Whether they are anchoring rocks to form a bridge or trimming a trail against erosion or scything down poison ivy – it is a feeling of satisfied accomplishment. Stefan says he is constantly motivated to keep up his volunteer efforts by watching erosion and other damage to trail disappearing under the crew’s hands, watching new trails spring up, seeing people enjoy them, and working with a band of “marvelously congenial people with a beautiful work ethic.” There is a very family feel to the Rock Crushers, which Stefan helps create. The workdays are also a great workout!
Stefan is looking forward to completing the trail loop around Gerton, and one day a loop around Lake Lure, and well after that, a trail the length of the whole Hickory Nut Gorge to link them all together! When Stefan is not working on the trails, you can find him running his genealogical German business (Unlock Your History), reading, calligraphy, and affectionately plaguing his nephews.
Thank you, Stefan for all that you do for Conserving Carolina!