UCF

(Originally posted on Methow Valley News on July 24, 2025) By Marcy Stamper Photos courtesy of Tim Van Beek .The route to Black Lake is now clear for hikers and horses, thanks to a dozen young people with Northwest Youth Corps, who spent two weeks clearing dense vegetation and fallen trees from the trail. Lake Creek Trail project assists USFS At a time of major cutbacks for trail work, a popular route in the Chewuch is now cleared 5 miles to Black Lake, thanks to a crew of young people armed with clippers, shovels and abundant energy. The robust crew of 16- to 18-year-olds from Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) just wrapped up two weeks of clearing downed trees and 8-foot-high ceanothus and other vegetation along the Lake Creek Trail. The relatively level trail, which melts out fairly early, was a priority because it’s a great entry-level route for beginning hikers and riders, Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) Trail Operations Manager Tim Van Beek said. The trail also boasts an impressive wildflower display. Money for trail work has been scarce for years. But the need grew after the U.S. Forest Service banned hiring of seasonal workers last fall to address […]

(Originally posted on KLCC on July 17, 2025) By Gabriella Sgro For five weeks this summer, six teenagers arrived at the Northwest Youth Corps headquarters on Augusta Street in Eugene’s Laurel Hill neighborhood at 7:30 a.m.. Each morning, they piled into a Sprinter van packed with shovels, Hori Hori knives, and weed-wrenches and headed off to a work site, where they spent eight hours working with their hands and learning about ecological restoration. Though summer break usually means sleeping in, these teens used their holiday to work as part of an Urban and Community Forestry crew for the Northwest Youth Corps, a Eugene-based organization that offers youth and young adult residential conservation programs in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Some programs have specific concentrations that change seasonally, like wildfire protection, backcountry leadership, and wilderness camping. Urban and Community Forestry crew members are between the ages of 15-18 and are hired to work in developed parks and spaces around Eugene. At the end of the program, the teens receive a stipend and high school credit. From June 23 to July 25, the crew cleared nonnative plant species, helped create resilient urban ecosystems, and collaborated as a team on hands-on projects. “Everything we do feels

(Originally posted on KEZI 9 on December 10, 2024) Eugene Springfield Fire and Northwest Youth Corps are hosting a drop-off event where people can get rid of stuff they would otherwise burn in a pile. https://youtu.be/Tc-CAxn8ReM

(Originally posted on the Suburban Times on December 3, 2024) By Clover Park Rotary   Last week was a big week once again for the South Sound Wildlife and Interpretive Center on Phillips Road. Clover Park Rotary along with The Northwest Youth Corps, who has been very active with the Wildlife Center for a number of years, once again spent the week improving the Wildlife center. The Northwest Youth Corps began in 1984 and was the brainchild of Art Pope, who earlier worked for the seasonal “Youth Conservation Corps”. Its first office was in a defunct gas station in Eugene Oregon. With youth unemployment hovering at 50% at the time, NYC’s goal was (and remains) to educate and engage young people and teach them important life skills, while improving the natural environment and paying the youth stipends for their work in some cases. Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) provides a challenging education and job-training experience that helps youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds develop the skills they need to lead full and productive lives. Several Youth Corps Groups worked to place indigenous plants in the “Prairie Restoration” area of the park and in the “Endangered species study pond.” Plants included:

(Originally posted on KVAL on December 3, 2024) By News Staff (Photo courtesy Eugene Springfield Fire)   EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene Springfield Fire and Northwest Youth Corps are hosting a free drop site for woody yard debris to help Eugene and Springfield residents reduce vegetation that can create fuel for wildfires. The drop site, located at Northwest Youth Corps (2621 Agusta St, Eugene OR 97403), will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 9, 10, and 12. It will not be open on December 11. Woody debris such as tree branches, brush, vines, or other such yard debris that can create fuel for wildfire in warmer months will be accepted. Other yard debris (such as leaves, grass clippings, dirt etc.) will not be accepted and must be disposed of elsewhere. Limited pick-up will also be offered for residents who need help transporting woody debris from fuel reduction projects. To check your eligibility and sign up, visit here or contact Deputy Fire Marshal Althea Sullivan at (541) 799-5942. Fuels Reduction Project Ideas Remove tree limbs touching your home Remove tree limbs touching the ground (try to limb them up 6 feet) Remove shrubs that are touching your home Remove shrubs that