Field News Recap- Fall 2024

SHARE

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Oregon:

camping crews - young adult

In October, Red crew spent two weeks working alongside Bureau of Land Management (BLM) interns in Coos Bay, improving the habitat for native Phacelia plants. November saw them seeding native species in post-fire areas of the Willamette National Forest with the BLM and United States Forest Service. In December, they partnered with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to plant over 3,000 native plugs. 

Orange crew spent two weeks at Thomas Creek Aspen Meadow in Fremont-Winema National Forest using chainsaws to reopen meadow habitat, followed by two weeks removing invasive species in post-fire zones of the Willamette National Forest. Their efforts concluded with two weeks of fuels reduction at Smith Rock State Park, creating nearly 200 slash piles for prescribed burns.

Blue crew started October with Snowy Plover habitat restoration through beach grass removal in Northern California. They also removed invasive species in post-fire zones of the Willamette National Forest, constructed trails in the Columbia River Gorge at the Tom McCall Preserve, and supported developed recreation sites at Diamond Lake in the Umpqua National Forest. To cap off the season, they collaborated with the Army Corps of Engineers in Cottage Grove for two weeks of invasive species removal, targeting blackberry and Scotch broom.

Washington:

urban and community forestry crews - young adult

The Washington Urban and Community Forestry crews had a productive fall, removing 6.7 acres of invasive species, maintaining 1,166 trees, and planting 2,240 more. They participated in community events like Branch Out Tacoma, Green Blocks, and a major planting with South Puget Sound Wildlife Area/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tree planting took place across Federal Way, Tacoma, and beyond, including Lincoln Heights, White River Disc Golf Course, and South Puget Sound Wildlife Area.
The UCF Crews also took part in career pathway discussions with the City of Federal Way, MetroParks Tacoma, and Port of Tacoma, and took a tour of Tacoma Community College and the Washington State University Tree Research Center. 

Idaho Conservation Corps:

camping crews - young adult

In October, Red crew partnered with Washington DNR at Ahtanum State Forest near Yakima, transforming a two-track trail into a single track. They also restored Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve by planting native seeds such as Blue Bunch Wheatgrass and Idaho Fescue. Heading to City of Rocks in southern Idaho, they constructed 1,400 feet of fencing and maintained existing lines. In November, they joined the Idaho City Ranger District in Boise National Forest, conducting timber surveys on 23.5 acres of Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Firs.

Orange crew focused on habitat restoration in October, working with the Idaho Falls BLM at the Upper Snake Field Office. They completed various fencing projects and planted 1,386 native shrubs, including Snowberry and Choke Cherry.

Yellow crew began October in Halfway, Oregon, completing fuels reduction on 15.5 acres around private residences to mitigate wildfire risks. Next, they traveled to Walla Walla, Washington, working with the Army Corps of Engineers to clear 20,000 square feet of noxious weeds and thin 4.2 acres of brush. In November, they tackled greenhouse tasks at Washougal Oaks and Lacamas Prairie Natural Areas in Washington, planting 3,700 native plugs. Their final project was at City of Rocks, maintaining 6 miles of dirt road corridors.

Internship Programs:

Theodore M: "Your intrepid Resource Assistant (center back row, white hat) and a trail crew having the time of our lives doing fire damage trail repair work at Fall Creek Falls on the Umpqua National Forest! Umpqua NF's Public Lands Day efforts were a great success this year." Landscape Architect/Sustainable Recreation Planner Resource Assistant - Umpqua National Forest
Isabella C: "Me and Ranger Melissa at the Astoria High School activity fair with our own booth. While there we told people about our park and our potential job opportunities in the summer." Interpretation and Education - Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Scroll to Top