TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M.; April 15, 2015 - Hot Springs High School students kept a long-standing tradition going by volunteering their time working on the Black Range Ranger District of the Gila National Forest over spring break. The group of 17 students and Biology Teacher Mark Hedge helped district staff on the Wolf Hollow Trail, one of the major trails for access to the Gila Wilderness on the north end and to Black Mountain Fire Lookout. This group has volunteered for the past 17 years working on trails, recreation areas, and educational projects across the district, including the Emory Pass Vista.

Larry Cosper, Black Range District Ranger, says, "We are very fortunate to have such dedicated youth in our community who spend their spring break year after year getting outdoors and helping us on various service projects. They are an awesome group!"

This year, district employees taught the students about basic forest management on the Gila National Forest in addition to scaling trees for timber marking, using a map and compass, and navigating Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Students also completed work such as building and repairing water bars along the trail to improve foot travel for forest visitors and helped prepare the Beaver Head Work Center for the upcoming field season. The Black Range Ranger District looks forward to the spring break tradition continuing and hosting the students next year.