Restore the environment, expand education, gain job skills, and disconnect from technology

P-CREW (Plumas Conservation, Restoration, and Education in Watersheds) participants work 40 hours a week for a five-week session, implementing on-ground conservation projects overseen by crew leaders and resource professionals.

Education & Career Job Skills

Projects involve a specialist from partnering agencies who instruct and clarify procedures, goals, and expectations on the first day. Specialists share the science behind a project and how it impacts the forest, wildlife, and watershed as well as talk about their career path and actions they took to obtain their current professional position. This is an opportunity for students to learn the importance of networking and hear about various natural resource career pathways.

Through our partnership with Feather River College, Sierra Institute is able to offer P-CREW members a course in Basic Trail Building Techniques. Upon completion, participants receive college credit towards an Associate’s Degree from Feather River College.

Safety is our Biggest Priority

All crew members will earn Basic First Aid and CPR certifications.  They will be trained in field safety protocol and Job Hazard Analysis and Mitigation. All crew leaders are at minimum Wilderness First Aid certified.  In addition, at least one field crew leader per crew and the Sierra Institute support staff are Wilderness First Responder certified (click here for more info) and have experience administering first aid in remote settings.  At least one crew leader on each team also has a lifeguard certificate.

Furthermore, each crew is equipped with a Garmin InReach Device. This is a satellite 2-way communication devise that can be used outside of cell phone service to communicate with support staff and can alert search and rescue in case of a life or death emergency.  Crew leaders are required to do daily check ins with support staff each afternoon as they return to their camp from work.  In the case that the SOS function of the InReach is activated, P-CREW support staff will be alerted and Search and Rescue will be given the exact location of the crew and immediate help will be deployed.

Disconnect from Technology

Please know that the crew members will be unable to text or call home on a regular basis as service is spotty and electronics are prohibited. We realize this may be difficult for you, but it’s part of the P-CREW experience. There will be weekly parent updates in the form of an e-mail or blog so you are kept in the loop on your child’s activities. They will call home, from our office, when they come in for resupplies. That schedule is not confirmed as of this date.

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.