Throughout February, Northwest Youth Corps and Idaho Conservation Corps crews kicked off our 41st season with extensive training sessions on leadership, risk management, and project management to prepare for the busy year ahead. A total of twelve crew leaders participated in a pre-season training session at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, covering chainsaw and power tool use, leadership, risk management, decision-making, crew culture, wilderness medicine review, and project management.
Six Community Wildfire Protection Corps crews, six Urban and Community Forestry crews, and one Interpretation and Education intern launched in February, while each state gears up for our 8 Young Adult Camping crews to launch in March.
Oregon:








Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Crews and Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC)
UCF and CWPC leader training was held in Williams, Oregon, for 11 leaders. The training sessions included topics such as leadership, risk management, crew culture, and power tools. Approximately 30 CWPC members received training in Dexter and Cottage Grove, focusing on chainsaw and power tools, camp expectations, and project management.
After completing training, three strike teams worked along the Applegate Fire in Josephine County, where they received Home Ignition Zones and S-212 Fire Training (certification course focusing on wildland fire chainsaw operations). Two crews remained in Josephine County, while one moved to Douglas County to work on fuel reduction projects. Additionally, the CWPC Community Crew worked alongside Eugene/Springfield Fire on local projects. In total, CWPC launched three Strike Crews, two Hitch Crews, and one Community Crew in February.
CWPC crews spent early February working at Pacifica Gardens near Grants Pass. They cleared about one mile of trail and conducted fuel reduction around public areas. Later in the month, members trained at Lost Valley near Eugene, where they created a fire break (a gap or cleared area in vegetation, such as grass, brush, or trees, that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the spread of wildfire) for a community of 30 to 40 people.
Washington:





Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Crews
UCF leader training was held in Tacoma for four leaders. The training focused on leadership, risk management, crew culture, and power tools.
On February 17th, UCF crews launched with ten members, including five returners. Orange Crew (YA Com 5), a year-round crew, began their term of service by surveying plantable spaces in Tacoma for the Tacoma Tree Foundation’s “Green Blocks” event. This project aims to reduce surface heat by planting trees. The crew ended the week working in a community garden. Meanwhile, Yellow Crew (YA Com 4) partnered with Parks Tacoma at Swan Creek to continue a restoration project that was started in spring 2024.
Starting on February 20th, Orange Crew worked with the City of Tacoma on invasive species removal. At the same time, Yellow Crew continued working with Parks Tacoma on a native plant project, which included site preparation for planting and supporting an Eagle Scout project involving mason bee houses.
Idaho Conservation Corps:







Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Crews
UCF leader training for two leaders and one Woodsboss took place in Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park from February 19th to March 1st. The training covered saw use, fencing, trail maintenance, leadership, and day-to-day program operations.
Both Blue Crew (YA Comm 6) and Yellow Crew (YA Comm 7) launched following two weeks of training, which covered structural tree pruning, irrigation techniques, and resume-building sessions. The crews received training from Nampa and Boise city arborists and attended presentations by local municipalities about seasonal job opportunities.
Internship Programs:


