Field News Recap- November 2025
Crew Launches and Graduations:
All Young Adult Camping Crews across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho completed their fall session and graduated on November 14 after spending ten weeks working on trails, habitat restoration, riparian planting, and forest stewardship projects throughout the region. With these crews graduated, we now have just one camping crew, the Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Hitch Crew, whose term of service will end December 12, along with our Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Crews.
In November, we also launched several new community-based crews that will run through the winter. In addition to our UCF Crews, our Long-form UCF Crews began their sessions on November 3, followed by the launch of our Long-form CWPC Crew on November 10. These long-form crews are community crews, meaning they return home each night and do not camp during their projects. They will continue working through the cold months on community forestry, fuels reduction, and wildfire resilience projects, and will graduate on May 1.
The Long-form UCF Crews are based out of Eugene, Boise, and Tacoma, while the Long-form CWPC Crew is based out of Applegate, Oregon.
Oregon:
Young adult camping crews
Blue Crew (YA 29) began November at Lost Creek Lake partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers-Rogue, picking up where Yellow Crew left off in October, where they performed invasive species removal along shoreline and recreation access areas. Their work helped clear vegetation that competes with native plants and interferes with habitat quality. In their second week, the crew partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers-Willamette Valley Project at Fisher Butte to complete fuels reduction work. Using chainsaws and a wood chipper, they processed woody debris to support fire resilience in the area.
Yellow Crew (YA 30) spent both active weeks of November at Mount Rainier National Park working with the National Park Service on trail maintenance projects. The crew supported upkeep on heavily used trails by improving tread, maintaining drainage structures, and clearing corridors for visitor access. Their work helped prepare the trail system for winter conditions and ensured safer and more sustainable routes for hikers.
urban & community forestry crews
Red Crew (YACom 16 Long-form) began their long-form Urban and Community Forestry session in November and spent the month working on fuels reduction and habitat restoration projects across Lane County. Their first week included chainsaw and wood chipper training at Lost Valley to prepare for upcoming winter fieldwork. During the second week, the crew partnered with McKenzie River Trust at Coyote Creek to remove shrubs such as snowberry, spirea, hawthorn, and blackberry. Their work maintains conditions that support native wildflowers. During Thanksgiving week, the crew partnered with Willamalane Park and Recreation District at Dorris Ranch to remove invasive holly, Scotch broom, ivy, and ice storm debris along Trail 4.
Blue Crew (YACom 8) began the month at the US Forest Service’s Dorena Genetic Resource Center, completing nursery maintenance that included whitebark pine transplanting, Port Orford cedar cone collection and tagging, seed cleaning, and planting. In their second week, the crew worked with Willamalane Park and Recreation District at Dorris Ranch on invasive holly, Scotch broom, and ivy removal as well as storm debris chipping. Their work created defensible space and reduced hazardous wildfire fuels buildup. During the third week, Blue Crew partnered with the City of Eugene to plant and maintain trees along the Willamette River, Amazon Creek corridor, and several natural areas across the Eugene park system. They returned to Dorris Ranch during Thanksgiving week to continue invasive removal and chip the remaining woody materials.
Orange Crew (YACom 9) also began November at the Dorena Genetic Resource Center, assisting with nursery maintenance alongside Dorena staff. In their second week, they performed invasive species removal and storm debris chipping at Dorris Ranch, removing holly, Scotch broom, ivy, and ice-storm-damaged material to create safer and healthier forested areas. In week three, the crew partnered with the City of Eugene to plant and maintain riparian trees along the Willamette River and Amazon Creek corridor. During Thanksgiving week, they worked with Lane County Parks at Armitage Park’s Crilly Trail to remove Himalayan blackberry, ivy, and traveler’s joy to restore the surrounding forest habitat.
community wildfire protection corps crews
Blue Crew (YACom 15 CWPC Long-form) supported wildfire fuels reduction projects across southern Oregon during their long-form CWPC session. They began November at Lost Valley with vegetation removal and woody fuels processing. In mid-November, the crew worked in Applegate on additional fuels reduction efforts and participated in a Stewardship Day at the Siskiyou Field Institute where they learned about cultural burning and land tending practices. There, they used chainsaws to cut and stage material for burn piles. The crew returned to Applegate during Thanksgiving week to continue fuels reduction across fire-prone forested areas.
Yellow Crew (YA 41 CWPC) completed wildfire fuels reduction across Jackson and Josephine Counties for the entire month of November. They spent the first two weeks with Jackson County Fire 3, removing hazardous vegetation and improving defensible space around high-risk communities. During the third week, the crew worked in the Illinois Valley on additional fuels reduction and attended a Stewardship Day at the Siskiyou Field Institute, where they practiced cultural fire concepts and cut material for burn piles. Thanksgiving week brought the crew to the Long Tom Watershed Council, where they continued vegetation management and fuels reduction projects.
Washington:
Young adult camping crews
Blue Crew (YA 33) spent the first week of November at Charlotte’s Blueberry Park with Parks Tacoma. The crew removed invasive blackberry, dug out root balls with grubbers and hoes, and cleared space around fruit trees to prevent crowding and improve the health of the community food forest. During their second week, the crew worked with Tacoma Water at Palmer Slough, a salmon-bearing tributary of the Green River. They planted a variety of native species including potted ferns and shrubs along with bare root trees such as cedar, spruce, cottonwood, and alder. Their work supported riparian restoration and improved salmon habitat.
Orange Crew (YA 34) began the month in Mount Rainier National Park on trail maintenance projects in the Ipsut and Carbon River areas. They installed turnpikes and improved drainage along the Rainforest Loop, hauling logs, planks, and crush to raise trail tread and reduce seasonal flooding. In their final week of the session, the crew partnered with the Cascade Forest Conservancy at creek-side restoration sites focused on improving salmon and beaver habitat. After clearing access with brushcutters, they planted willow, dogwood, cottonwood stakes, and several native shrubs that support long-term stream health. They also toured a partner fish intake facility to learn more about the broader watershed-restoration work in the region.
urban & community forestry crews
Yellow Crew (YACom 10) spent November working across several Tacoma parks with Parks Tacoma and Clover Park Rotary, focusing on invasive species removal, mulching, and native planting. Early in the month, the crew supported a local food forest by mulching pathways and removing invasive blackberry and English ivy to improve conditions around fruit trees and garden beds. They continued this work the following week with additional invasive removal to open space for future native plantings. Mid-month, the crew planted native trees, shrubs, and ferns to strengthen park ecosystems and support long-term restoration goals. During Thanksgiving week, Yellow Crew partnered with Clover Park Rotary to remove ivy and Scotch broom at a turtle nesting habitat site, helping maintain open, protected areas that support local turtle populations.
Orange Crew (YACom 13) continued their community forestry and habitat restoration efforts throughout Tacoma. Partnering with the Tacoma Tree Foundation, the crew planted a wide range of shade and street trees, including magnolia, elm, tupelo, ruby vase, and London plane. They also assisted with a weekend community tree giveaway event at the Star Center, helping distribute trees to residents and supporting neighborhood canopy growth. The following week, they planted native fescue and other grasses that are used to create specialized nesting mounds. They also toured a nearby fish hatchery to learn more about watershed health and conservation. Orange Crew spent Thanksgiving week with Parks Tacoma removing blackberry and ivy to prepare new areas for future planting efforts.
Blue Crew (YACom 14) spent November performing restoration and planting projects with Parks Tacoma. For the first two weeks, they removed invasive blackberry, English ivy, and spurge laurel across several natural areas. Their work cleared space and improved growing conditions for native shrubs and trees. In the second half of the month, Blue Crew shifted into planting projects. They installed native species including osoberry and multiple maple varieties across restored park corridors to improve forest structure and biodiversity. They continued this planting through Thanksgiving week, expanding restored habitat and reinforcing areas that had previously been cleared.
Brown Crew (YACom 17 Long-form) partnered with Washington State University, Tacoma Community College, South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, and the City of Auburn throughout November. The month began with mulching and tree care at a Washington State University research and planting site, where the crew also toured the university’s tree research center and learned about insect monitoring efforts at the Fabulich Center. The crew then worked at the Tacoma Community College to remove invasive blackberry from a planted cedar restoration area. Afterward, they headed to the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area to plant native grasses, Oregon grape, and young Garry oaks that support turtle habitat restoration. During this project, they also visited an adjoining fish hatchery to learn more about local aquatic species. Brown Crew ended the month by removing Scotch broom, ivy, and blackberry at a City of Auburn game park and disc golf course to improve habitat conditions for community use.
Idaho Conservation Corps:
Young adult camping crews
All ICC crews are currently wearing yellow hard hats despite the crew names due to a supplier shortage.
Red Crew (YA 37) spent both weeks of November on Trout Unlimited’s restoration project at Zumwalt Prairie, where they supported ongoing efforts to rebuild natural hydrology and improve habitat along Camp Creek. The crew constructed Beaver Dam Analogues that slow water flow and create healthier riparian conditions for native fish and wildlife. Their work included limbing and bucking small trees, digging sediment from the floodplain, and installing wooden posts with a gas-powered post pounder. The crew also constructed additional wood habitat structures and supported early phases of riparian hardwood planting. The crew completed two miles of creek restoration activities during their time there.
Orange Crew (YA 38) began November on The Nature Conservancy’s Juniper Hills Preserve near Prineville, where they reduced wildfire fuels by cutting and piling juniper using chainsaws, loppers, pruners, mattocks, and shovels. Their work prepared the preserve for future burn operations and supported ongoing grassland restoration efforts in the region. During their second week, the crew transitioned to the US Forest Service’s Lucky Peak Nursery, assisting nursery staff with seasonal tasks that help prepare native seedlings for distribution to restoration projects across the Northwest.
Blue Crew (YA 39) partnered with Idaho Fish and Game across several sites, including Dick Knox Pond, Star Lane Pond, Seven Mile Slough, Plaza Bridge, and Marsing Job Corps. Their project focused on removing kochia, an invasive species that threatens habitat quality. The crew hand-pulled and piled kochia under large bags in staging areas where partner staff will later conduct controlled burns. Throughout the project, the crew also worked alongside Urban and Community Forestry crews operating in the same areas.
Yellow Crew (YA 40) spent both weeks of November at Zumwalt Prairie with Trout Unlimited, supporting the same Camp Creek Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA) project as Red Crew. Their work included constructing BDAs, installing wooden posts, limbing and bucking small trees for structural material, digging sediment to reconnect floodplain processes, and preparing sites for future riparian hardwood plantings. The crew’s work contributed to multi-week efforts to restore habitat for native fish, plants, and wildlife along two miles of the creek.
urban & community forestry crews
Blue Crew (YACom 11) worked across multiple sites in Canyon and Owyhee Counties throughout November. For the first two weeks of the month, the crew partnered with Idaho Fish and Game to remove invasive Kochia at Dick Knox Pond, Star Lane Pond, Seven Mile Slough, Plaza Bridge, and Marsing Job Corps. They hand-pulled the plants and piled them under large bags so partner staff can later complete controlled burns. In the third week, the crew partnered with the City of Nampa at College of Western Idaho and Osborne Park to mulch and plant trees, and they concluded the week with a Boise WaterShed tour. During Thanksgiving week, Blue Crew transitioned to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge by installing fencing to better protect wildlife from nearby roadways.
Yellow Crew (YACom 12) began November with the City of Nampa and the Harris Ranch HOA, planting native species to support local habitat restoration. In the second week, the crew partnered with Idaho Fish and Game to remove invasive Kochia across several pond and river sites. Their work included using saws and a wood chipper to remove vegetation and pile materials for later burning. The following week, Yellow Crew partnered with Boise Parks and Recreation and Ada County Noxious Weeds to remove invasive Phragmites at Hyatt Hidden Lake before beginning Scotch broom removal along the Boise River. They also completed a Boise WaterShed tour on November 21. During Thanksgiving week, the crew returned to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge to repair fencing designed to keep wildlife away from high-traffic roadways.
Orange Crew (YACom 18 Long-form) spent November on long-form UCF projects across Caldwell and Nampa. The crew began their session with orientation week at the College of Idaho, where they learned structural pruning techniques and practiced caring for established trees on campus. In the second and third weeks, the crew worked with the City of Caldwell at Rotary Pond Park to remove invasive Russian olive using saws, pole saws, and a chipper. Their work supported ongoing habitat improvements at the park. They also attended the Boise WaterShed tour on November 21. During Thanksgiving week, Orange Crew partnered with the City of Nampa’s Forestry and Parks and Recreation staff on a major roadside tree removal project, assisting with cutting, staging, and processing large trees along Nampa roadways.