What began as a volunteer effort to clear fallen trees from popular biking and hiking trails transformed into something bigger for natural resources Ecampus student Geoffrey Huber. Enter the Acoustic Chainsaw Club — a movement rooted in nature and community.

Founded by Huber in 2022, the club takes a unique and environmentally friendly approach to trail maintenance, offering a quieter alternative to traditional trail-clearing methods. Rather than using noisy gas-powered chainsaws, volunteers rely on restored vintage axes — a quieter, more sustainable and deeply mindful method. The result is more than just cleared trails. It’s a stronger, more intimate bond between people and the places they love.

For Huber, the inspiration for this club came from his love of mountain biking and his childhood in Northern California’s Redwood Coast.

“As an avid mountain biker, I spent countless hours in Oregon’s forests, where trail work is a constant necessity, especially after harsh winters or storms,” said Huber.

While running chainsaws to clear fallen trees is efficient, Huber noted that the noise pollution, environmental impacts and startup costs caused him to consider other ideas. That’s where the idea for a quieter alternative came into focus — axes.

“I grew up watching my dad work with wood,” he said. “The axe always fascinated me — it’s one of the oldest tools humanity has used and it’s so simple. There’s something beautiful about the simplicity of it.”

The appeal of using an axe extends beyond utility to the craftsmanship and history behind the tool. Huber enjoys restoring vintage axes and will make customized handles to match the personality of each user in the club.

“The quality of axes from the 1800s is unmatched. The steel used back then is much higher quality,” he said. “Resorting an old axe and bringing it back to life is a labor of love.”

Besides minimizing the environmental impact of chainsaws, including noise pollution, gas emissions and wildlife disturbance, using axes to perform trail maintenance provides not only a quieter experience for volunteers but a closer connection to nature.

“There’s a physicality to it, but also a mindfulness,” Huber says. “When you’re using an axe, you have to be precise and each strike counts.”

This precision, combined with the slower pace of working with axes allows for a more collaborative atmosphere. Volunteers are able to have more conversations, share ideas and bond over the common goal of preserving the forest for all to enjoy. The club is about more than just clearing trails — it’s also about building community.

“We have people in the group from all walks of life,” he said. “Some are very outdoorsy, and others are newer to it, and I like seeing everyone come together to accomplish a common goal.”

While the Acoustic Chainsaw Club has grown organically through word of mouth, Huber has ideas for expansion. He envisions that this club could include a program for youth to connect them to tree ecology and nature or be expanded to include new chapters in other regions, such as the Corvallis area. Huber invites those interested in getting involved or starting a new chapter to reach out to him at huberge@oregonstate.edu.

“The more people we have working together, the more we can accomplish. It’s about creating a community where everyone has a voice, and everyone is working toward something bigger than themselves.”

As an Ecampus natural resources student, he has been inspired by the community and support offered to returning professionals like himself. He noted that the flexibility and accessibility of the program have been invaluable in balancing his education with his career and personal life.

“I’m very impressed with the Ecampus format and access of information,” he said. “Student resources being a click away and the amount of work that goes into that support is pretty phenomenal.”

Post graduation, he hopes to dive deeper into habitat restoration work and continue the hands-on conservation efforts he is passionate about.

“People from the College of Forestry will continue to move forward, and we will continue to make things happen regardless,” he said. “I am very, very proud to be a part of the College of Forestry at OSU.”