PUBLIC LANDS -- A Western Montana man and former wilderness ranger recently received a national award for tending to the recreation programs in the Cabinet Mountains and wilderness area.

Joel Sather, recreation technician on the Cabinet Ranger District, traveled recently with his wife Carmin to Washington, D.C., to accept a Chief’s Award from US Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.

Sather, who has worked for the Forest Service for 25 years, primarily on the Kootenai National Forest, was one of only 14 Forest Service employees nationwide to win the Chief’s Award for 2014.

Sather was presented his award for his efforts in partnership, volunteers and outdoor education. He was lauded for his work on motorized recreation trails, getting kids involved in stewardship and wilderness investigation, his work on Star Peak Historic Trail #999, and coordinating volunteer efforts from diverse groups.

In his thank-you speech, Sather got a laugh from the audience when he admitted to not knowing quite yet which way was north in D.C., and that he was more comfortable in a pair of boots and a backpack with a cross-cut saw on his shoulder.

“I’m proud to be able to represent the recreation program on the Cabinet Ranger District and the Kootenai National Forest as a whole,” he said in short remarks. “In regards to this award, I was simply doing my job. A huge ‘thank you’ goes out to the Cabinet Ranger District wilderness and trail crew, and the volunteers and partners who do a tremendous amount of great work for us, including Cabinet Ridge Riders, Cabinet Resource Group, Cabinet Backcountry Horsemen and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.”

“Joel certainly deserves the honor,” said Friends of Scotchman Peaks Program Coordinator Sandy Compton. “He’s a great partner. His energy and commitment to his job have been a huge catalyst for helping his volunteer partners get things done, not only on his district but on adjoining districts as well.”

• Read about a unique wilderness ranger program, one of the projects Sather had a role in facilitating.

Sather, who grew up in Lincoln County and graduated from Libby High School, was the wilderness ranger in the western half of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness for six seasons in the late 1990s. He accepted the recreation technician job on the Cabinet District in 2010. He and his wife Carmin have two children and live in Noxon.