There are people who love the outdoors, and then there are those who LIVE the outdoors.

Dave Field (above) was recently named one of L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Heroes for his five decades of work with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. That’s right: He’s been working the woods since the ‘50s, and is currently still trekking into the forest near Rangeley to groom and mark about six miles of the trail assigned to him that runs through the area.

He’s received numerous local, state and national awards for his work, but he’s pleased with the recent recognition from Bean. “I am not looking for publicity but the award comes with $5,000 for the club. So I am happy that I was included.”

The Outdoor Heroes is a new Bean program to recognize veterans whose work helps others. Certainly Field, 67, certainly comes under that heading.

He has cut brush and cleared trails for decades; he has served as an officer of the state and national ATC organizations. The Maine portion of the trail, which winds down to Georgia, is about 280 miles long with perhaps 30 miles of side trails and approaches.

A native of Phillips, even his professional career centered around trails and trees. Holder of a doctorate in forestry management, he was a professor and ran the forestry program at the University of Maine for several decades before retiring.

He says one of the greatest tasks for a Maine guide or ATC supervisor is education. “Some people really don’t know what a hike through the woods is going to be like,” said Field. “Early in my career, when I was with the forest service in Gorham, N.H., I was part of teams that would bring bodies out – some dead, some alive – from the mountains where inexperienced tourists would go. We don’t have much of that in our portion of Maine, but we are always trying to improve the trails, make them easier to follow.”

When he enters to woods to work on the trails, he takes close to 70 pounds in gear (chain saw, gas, tools) along with him. Payment is minimal – usually a small allowance for gas money to get to his site – but the reward is considerable.

“I started taking trips and helping clear blowdowns in the mid-‘50s, near Stratton Mountain and Horn Pond,” he said. “I loved the work, and knowing that it might be helping others. I’m proud of how the Appalachian Trail has remained a big part of Maine. Knowing the people are enjoying the experience makes the work worthwhile.”

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