“My belief is that the ‘favorite’ is yet to come,” he said, laughing. “[The moments] never stop.”

Greg was not always a nature photographer. For almost two decades, he owned and operated a farm-to-table butcher shop with his beloved wife, Denise, in Belle Plaine before moving to Battle Lake. There, he and his wife built their house on the lake to raise three sons together.

In 2016, Denise was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease progressed, the couple turned to photography, as it was one of the few things Denise could do. Greg bought an old camera, and the pair would get in the car and drive.

“She saw the composition, and I just pushed the button,” he said.

Denise passed away in May 2021.

Even though the world hadn’t yet opened back up after the COVID-19 pandemic, Greg knew he couldn’t stay inside. He removed the TV from his home and found long, peaceful hours at Glendalough State Park, where he met park supervisor Jeff Wiersma. With the park short-staffed, Greg became an extra set of eyes on the trails. A few years later, the park was able to hire additional staff, including the state park naturalist, Dora O’Brien.

“When they hired [Dora], Jeff actually asked me to show her around,” Greg said. “He said I knew the park better than he did!”

Greg is still active with the park, doing both large and small tasks. He helps with events like the spring walk-a-thon, where he’s donated his photography as prizes. He’s also helped with traffic control, or with taking out the dock at the end of the season. Of course, he’s always up for teaching groups nature photography.

“There’s nothing more fun and rewarding than to see a group of kids in the park, taking pictures,” he said.

Greg credits Denise for his love of Glendalough State Park, nature and photography. It was a gift from her, to keep going and find his sense of direction. He likes to give back as much as he can, both to the park and the wider community, and encourages others to do the same.

“Just [volunteer] to give back and do what you already enjoy doing,” he said. “You’ll meet all kinds of people. The park, and nature — that’s what keeps a smile on my face.”

Ed now volunteers on prescribed burns at Afton, William O’Brien, Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks. During his time at the DNR, Ed was a burn boss. These days, he serves as a firing boss, a position open to qualified volunteers like Ed. 

Ed especially enjoys working alongside newer crew members. He recalls how the burn boss would ask who’s participating in their first burn each spring, and several hands go up. Having previously led a youth conservation crew in Michigan, Ed enjoys helping new crew members put their training into practice during a real burn.

“If you are someone who is passionate about natural resources, it’s a great opportunity to be engaged in that,” Ed said.

Some roles, including prescribed burns, require additional training. Ed suggests speaking with staff at your nearest state park to learn about volunteer opportunities or exploring the DNR’s volunteer webpage.

“We rely heavily on the Crew to keep Cuyuna’s industry-leading trails in national destination condition,” said Cuyuna Country SRA supervisor Barry Osborne. “The reputation of Cuyuna is powered by our volunteers.”

Shae Rossetti has served as managing director of the Crew since summer 2025. “I’ve never worked with such an amazing, hardworking and dedicated group of volunteers before,” she said.

105 volunteers (and counting!) regularly work to repair and rebuild trails, tackling tasks from weed whipping and leaf blowing to repairing erosion and cutting drainage to prevent standing water.

In 2026 alone, volunteers have logged more than 2,000 hours. And the work continues year-round. When snow arrives, volunteers head out to groom trails for fat tire biking.

Shae is particularly focused on growing the Crew’s volunteer base and breaking down barriers to participation. One way is Red Dirt Thursdays, an every-other-week event to try volunteering with the Crew in a low-pressure environment.

“The goal is to help people feel comfortable getting involved, learning new skills, and finding community along the way,” she said. "You don't have to know how to maintain trails to get started. That's what we're here to teach you. You just have to show up."

While volunteers come from across Minnesota, locals are particularly dedicated. “People ask me what’s so special about this place, and it’s really the people in the Cuyuna Range area,” Shae said. “The trails and community need each other. We understand how precious of a natural resource we have out here and how important it is to keep this for future generations.”

Learn more about how to get involved on the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew website. 

Making it all happen takes a small army of volunteers. Members of the Rochester Astronomy Club, Minnesota Astronomical Society, Starry Skies North and other groups share their knowledge and equipment, while students from Winona State University and Luther College and community volunteers help with activities and visitors.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the volunteers,” Dawn said. While park staff lead cave tours, volunteers keep the festival running, helping visitors discover the wonders above their heads.

But the festival isn't just about what can be seen in the sky. It's also about protecting the darkness that makes those views possible. Bats, moths and other wildlife depend on natural nighttime conditions. Even at Forestville/Mystery Cave, light pollution from nearby communities and satellites can affect the night sky.  “There’s a lot more going on at night too; people don’t realize,” Dawn said.

Thanks to the volunteers who share their time, equipment and enthusiasm, more visitors are discovering that a state park adventure doesn't have to end when the sun goes down.

“In winter, most parks have just a few park staff that stay on,” explained Kris Hiller, interpretive naturalist at Jay Cooke State Park. “Holding a large event like this is only possible if we recruit volunteers. We have more than 40 volunteers who help set up, light candles and clean up so that almost 1,000 visitors can enjoy this event. We get so many positive comments from the visitors, and it is because of those volunteers that we can make such a magical event happen.”

Today, Michael and Lynn are familiar faces at Jay Cooke, where they volunteer as “beverage hosts,” serving hot cocoa, apple cider and treats to visitors returning from their candlelit adventures.

“The enthusiasm and appreciation of the program participants is what keeps us coming back,” they said, especially the families with young children who delight in the experience.

That enthusiasm is two-way. Over the years, park staff have gotten to know Michael and Lynn.

“Michael and Lynn are the perfect park promoters to host the beverage station. They know the park and are so enthusiastic about sharing that with the visitors,” added Hiller.

For Michael and Lynn, the connection to the state park runs deep. They live just 15 miles away and consider it their “home park.” But on candlelight nights, that familiar place transforms into something extraordinary. Luminaries glow along snowy trails, bonfires provide places to warm up and a roaring fire welcomes visitors inside the visitor center.

“The entire park is an enchanted environment,” they said.

For anyone considering volunteering at a Minnesota state park or trail, Michael and Lynn have simple advice: “Just go for it. The visitors and staff are so appreciative of the help. It really makes one feel good.”

"Without the volunteers, the maple syrup program is not possible at all," Kao said.

About 15 volunteers helped during the 2026 season, with some returning year after year. Throughout March, they assist with identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, preparing equipment and helping naturalists lead programs.

One of their biggest responsibilities is tending the evaporator, where sap is boiled down into syrup. Volunteers work morning and afternoon shifts, sometimes spending several hours outdoors watching the sap boil. They also collect sap between programs and clean equipment to prepare for the next day.

Volunteers also get opportunities to share what they've learned. While tending the evaporator, they often answer questions from curious visitors who stop to watch the process.

"The volunteers love answering questions," Kao said. "It makes them feel like they're part of the program."

The chance to spend time outdoors and share their knowledge with others keeps many volunteers coming back each spring. If you want to learn more, check out the DNR's maple syruping webpage in early spring 2027 to find an event near you. 

Sometimes, the confidence to try an outdoor activity comes from seeing others do it first. The stories you share may be featured in the Trailblazer newsletter, on Minnesota State Parks and Trails social media channels, or in other state parks and trails communications.

We can’t wait to hear the stories that make Minnesota’s state parks and trails special to you. Share your state park story today!

📷: Photo by Amanda Peterson, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. "Celebrating 16 years of marriage with our kids hiking some state parks — this was our second of the day."