Deaf crew member enriches MCC experience

When Sen. Max Baucus worked with a Montana Conservation Corps trail crew last week, at his side was Brooklyn native Joanel Lopez. Lopez’s chiseled frame wielded a pulaski with ease, and he fit completely in with the rest of the crew with one difference — he’s deaf.

Lopez graduated from the state University of New York in Binghamton in 2009 as a standout in the shot put and with a degree in environmental studies with a focus on ecosystems. Lopez broke the school record in the shot put three times.

He had a full-time job but wanted work more closely related to his field. Through online networks, he discovered MCC.

“It sounded like a great place,” he said through an interpreter.

On paper, Lopez was a perfect fit, MCC regional supervisor Cliff Kipp said. In fact, they didn’t know Lopez was deaf until they went to interview him, Kipp said. The initial contacts were all through e-mails, and the final interview was via video with an interpreter.

At first, Kipp wasn’t sure it would work, but MCC found funding for an interpreter — Brandon Gale, of Missoula —who was willing to go on the 10-day MCC hitches in woods. Lopez can’t read lips but is fluent in sign language.

Lopez started June 10, and the experience has been positive not just for Lopez but for the crews he’s worked with. Lopez is learning about Montana and the environment, and MCC crews and staff have learned basic sign language and how to communicate with Lopez.

Crew leader Boston Wakeham said the experience has been rewarding.

“We’ve learned a whole new language,” he said. “He’s a really patient guy.”

Wakeham said Lopez has a great sense of humor, and he’s a positive role model for the rest of the crew. His physique doesn’t hurt, either.

“When we need to bring in the heavy artillery, he’s the one we call,” Wakeham said.

Lopez has been busy learning Montana’s flora and fauna.

He’s seen a black bear sow and cubs, but no grizzly bears. One challenges has been discerning the difference between a crow and a raven, he noted.

Lopez hopes to get a job with the Forest Service someday and would like to do research on how to lessen man’s impact on the natural world. He’ll continue to work with MCC into October.

MCC crews are proving vital to completing trail work in the region, Glacier View/Hungry Horse district ranger Rob Davies said.

The Flathead National Forest saw about $100,000 cut from its trail budget this year, and MCC is helping bridge that gap.