Cape Girardeau, Mo. Woman Presented Forest Service 2008 Volunteer Award

Steve Coates, left, Ozark Trail Association joins 2008 Volunteer Award Winner Kathie Brennan, Cape Girardeau, center, and Kris Swanson, right, Mark Twain National Forest.

ROLLA, Mo. -- Kathie Brennan, Cape Girardeau, has been presented with a 2008 US Forest Service Volunteer Award from among volunteers in a 20-state northeastern region.

Brennan last year led volunteer teams who constructed more than 4 miles of new trails and maintained more than 100 miles of existing trails on the Ozark Trail (OT), a hiking, biking and equestrian trail corridor from St. Louis to Arkansas.

During last year, Brennan contributed more than 200 hours in trail construction and maintenance, most of those as a crew leader. She also devoted time in fundraising events and worked with youth crews.

Brennan is a member of Missouri's non-profit volunteer organization Ozark Trail Association, which was also awarded a 2008 Forest Service Volunteer Program Award.

Ozark Trail Association (OTA) had 575 individuals participate in over two dozen individual trail construction or maintenance events during last year. The events involved individual volunteers donating more than 13, 299 hours to help develop, maintain, preserve and protect parts of OTA through Mark Twain National Forest.

"Ozark Trail Association members like Kathie Brennan make significant contributions to our recreation program," said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor David Whittekiend. "We really appreciate Kathie's help. This is a great example of a public private partnership working together to develop and maintain a wonderful Missouri asset."

For more information on Mark Twain National Forest visit www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain.