Field News Recap- September 2025
Oregon:
Blue Crew (YA 29) began their session with chainsaw training before heading to the Umatilla National Forest, where they worked alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The crew removed invasive vegetation to improve visibility and reduce wildfire fuel loads, combining their new technical training with habitat restoration to promote long-term forest health.
Yellow Crew (YA 30) trained in trail construction and maintenance before partnering with the National Park Service at Mount Rainier National Park and later the Siuslaw National Forest at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. At Mount Rainier, they brushed and improved tread along the West Boundary Trail, helping make the steep route safer for hikers. Later, at the Oregon Dunes, they installed new kiosk boards at off-highway vehicle access points, replacing outdated signage and improving visitor education across the shifting coastal landscape.
Washington:
Red Crew (YA 33) kicked off their season with trails training before joining the National Park Service at Mount Rainier National Park. The crew brushed and repaired tread along the iconic Wonderland Trail, helping maintain access and prevent erosion on the steep, scenic path that circles the base of Mount Rainier.
Orange Crew (YA 34) also trained at Mount Rainier before partnering with the National Park Service on backcountry trail projects across the park. The crew focused on tread repair, brushing, and drainage restoration on high-use routes, helping stabilize trail systems and prepare them for the coming winter.
Idaho Conservation Corps:
All ICC crews are currently wearing yellow hard hats despite the crew names due to a supplier shortage.
Red Crew (YA 37) began their program with technical training before partnering with the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest to work along the Lewis & Clark Trail’s West Side. There, they cleared downed trees, brushed overgrown tread, and repaired sections of the historic route. Later, they joined the Idaho Panhandle National Forest to maintain the Skitwish Ridge Trail #2320, completing bridge repair and additional brushing to improve safety and access for recreation users.
Orange Crew (YA 38) spent their training week learning trail construction and fireline techniques before partnering with the Idaho Panhandle and Boise National Forests. Their projects took them to St. Joe Lake, Prince Peak, and Clear Creek Road, where they maintained trails and built firelines to improve both recreation access and wildfire preparedness.
Blue Crew (YA 39) trained alongside Yellow Crew (YA 40) before beginning projects with the Payette, Caribou–Targhee, and Boise National Forests, and the Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association. The crew maintained trails around Payette Lake, Big Creek, and Curtis Creek, and conducted forest and fish surveys to support ongoing habitat monitoring. They also practiced advanced trail design techniques, learning to build sustainable climbing turns for mountain bike routes.
Yellow Crew (YA 40) completed their training week with Blue Crew (YA 39) before beginning projects with the Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association, Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and Sawtooth National Forest. The crew restored and maintained trails near Payette Lake, Beaver Creek, and Willow Creek Trail #018, combining brushing, tread work, and mountain-bike-specific trail shaping to create durable, multi-use recreation access.
Internship Program Spotlights
Special Uses Resource Assistant for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Zoey B., touching up the stain on the direction posts on Mount McLoughlin.