Edition:
September 3, 2010
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Reporter, The Friday Flyer
When 3rd graders across the valley begin taking educational hikes through the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve’s Granite Loop later this year, Evan Hieter hopes they will be enjoying a safer hike. As part of Evan’s Eagle Scout project, he plans to raise $1,000 to repair culverts and divots along the loop and install two benches for weary hikers. Evan will be holding a fundraiser at Chick-fil-A, located at 24794 Madison Ave. in Murrieta on Friday, September 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. Evan is also hoping generous residents and businesses will make donations for the worthwhile project.
The Linfield Christian School sophomore, who has lived in Canyon Lake his whole life, recalls his own experiences at the Reserve. I want to do my project at the Reserve because I have used it from when I started as a Cub Scout in 1st grade and I will bring my kids there when they’re in Cub Scouts. I want to improve the place that benefited me.”
Evan’s scouting began in Canyon Lake with Pack 346. When he completed Cub Scouts, he received the Arrow of Light Award and also earned the Den Chief Award. He then joined Troop 318 in Murrieta, since Canyon Lake doesn’t have a Boy Scout troop yet. He is now a Life Scout, having earned 30 merit badges, and is currently the Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 318. He is in charge of the boy lead group and is in charge of planning, organizing and leading the weekly meetings.
In addition, Evan’s peers nominated him to join the Order of the Arrow (OA), which is an honor society within Boy Scouts. He holds the position of 3rd Vice Chief and is in charge of fundraising and activities for the OA. He has attended and graduated from the three leadership training opportunities offered by the Scouts: Cedar Badge, Buckskin and Foxfire. Doing a project is part of the requirements to attain the Boy Scouts designation as an Eagle Scout.
Evan says he selected his project to benefit the Santa Rosa Plateau because the Granite Loop Trail is eroding, causing big divots in the trail, and there are also big rocks sticking out, which are big safety issues for young hikers. The Santa Rosa Plateau has a program for 3rd graders where they take the kids on an educational hike on the Granite Loop Trail. They estimate that 8,000 kids go on this hike annually.
“The Reserve is in a budget crisis because of the economy so they haven’t fixed the problem yet, plus they can’t afford kids getting injured,” he explains.
Evan plans to place 16 steps on this trail. The steps will consist of railroad ties with three pieces of rebar through them and decomposed granite to fill in behind them. He also says he is putting in two benches in another part of the Santa Rosa Plateau.
“The benches will go at the intersection of Monument Hill Rd. and Ranch Rd. These benches need to be here because people are going off the trail to sit on rocks, making a new trail while damaging the Reserve,” says Evan. “This is also the point on the Reserve that has the largest amount of people who get heat exhaustion and, with benches there, it will give the hiker a place to rest.”
Evan is the son of Tim and Laurie Hieter, who have lived in Canyon Lake for 17 years. In addition to scouting, Evan enjoys swimming and is on the varsity soccer team and the tennis team at Linfield. Anyone who would like more information, or would like to make a donation for the project may contact Evan at 723-7836 or e-mail ehieter@msn.com.
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