McClain Steffens’ love for the Ice Age Trail motivated him to volunteer and help preserve the natural spaces he enjoys year-round. For the past two years, he has dedicated eight to twelve hours each month to trail maintenance, gaining hands-on experience while learning more about the land, wildlife, and the mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Working alongside other passionate volunteers has strengthened his connection to the broader trail community and deepened his appreciation for the trail’s statewide impact. One standout moment was being trusted to operate a backpack brush cutter to reopen long-overgrown sections of the trail. Returning later with his family to hike the restored area served as a powerful reminder of why stewardship matters and how meaningful volunteer efforts can be.