N
athan Wiltsey spent more than a year overseeing a project to put signs along the Prairie Spirit Trail, helping users identify animals, plants and birds they may spot along the converted rail corridor between Iola and Ottawa.
He completed the project Thursday, part of his work to earn an Eagle Scout badge, the highest possible in Boy Scouting.
He and a handful of helpers positioned the 13th and final sign — they accompany benches and rest areas along the 52-mile trail — at the southernmost rest stop north of Iola, between Oregon and Rhode Island Road.
Also on hand was Jim Manning, a ranger with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, who has worked with Wiltsey since the program took shape.
Wiltsey recalled using the Prairie Spirit Trail as a youngster, and having his Scout leader explain the different animals and plants they encountered.
“He was pointing out a lot of things that most of us Scouts didn’t know,” Wiltsey said. “We thought they were something else. I got to thinking that I’d like to do something to help other people who know even less than we do.”
Each metal sign is affixed to an aluminum pole with a concrete base — Wiltsey’s crew installed the poles earlier this year — and features a picture of an animal, plant and bird, with descriptions of each.
Each sign is different, Wiltsey noted.
“Jim really helped a lot,” Wiltsey said. “He gave me some information and read what I’d written.”
A teamwork approach brought the project to fruition.
Wiltsey’s fellow Scouts, many of whom started as Cub Scouts together, helped each other on a number of projects. Witsey is the sixth Scout from Troop 120-Garnett to work on an Eagle Scout badge in the past 14 months.
“His friends didn’t want to miss this,” added Bonnie Kubacka, an adult leader for Troop 120. “We’re so proud of Nathan and what he’s done. All of these boys have worked tremendously hard.”
Others have donated to the cause. An Ottawa printing company made up the signs free of charge; another donated the aluminum poles.
Wiltsey estimated the project’s cost at $2,900 if he had to buy the materials himself.
But with donated materials “and plenty of sweat equity,” he paid $274 from start to finish.
