Today marks the first day of crew deployments for new Washington Conservation Corps and Puget Sound Corps teams. Every year crews gain valuable work skills on DNR-managed lands before beginning careers in Washington’s workforce or pursuing higher education. Corps members gain experience while helping to fill a variety of needs – from working on DNR trails and campgrounds to caring for wild spaces by removing invasive species and fostering the growth of native plants.
Where they’ll be
In the next year about 10 crews will spend some time on DNR-managed lands all across Washington state. They’ll be doing valuable work:
- Building and maintaining trails in the Snoqualmie Corridor, which includes the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area, Raging River State Forest, Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area, and Tiger Mountain.
- Restoring eroding trails on DNR-managed lands near Port Angeles.
- Building and maintaining trails in DNR’s Blanchard Forest, Cypress Island, Walker Valley, and Tahuya State Forest.
- Caring for the Nicholson Horse Trail system and Sahara Creek Campground in the Elbe Hills State Forest. Crews will also maintain trails in the Elbe Hills ORV Trail System and cross country ski trails in the Mount Tahoma Trail System.
Watch our video, below, to see the kind of valuable work these crews perform. When you run into WCC or PSC crews, say hello and let them share with you how they’re helping to improve these lands.
Background
The Corps, founded in 1983, is a multi-agency effort with DNR, AmeriCorps, the Department of Ecology, Veterans Affairs, and others that invests in future generations by building their professional skills as they perform stewardship for the state’s natural landscapes, high-quality recreation opportunities, and the Puget Sound. For more information, visit the Department of Ecology’s website.
To hear more about how these projects develop, stay connected with our monthly recreation e-newsletter.
