A meaningful summer experience
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment offers this exciting program to help restore areas impacted by forest fires. You’ll gain new experiences and job skills while working with project partners such as Plumas and Lassen National Forest.
Session One: June 14 - July 15, 2021
Session Two: July 20 - August 20, 2021
Video credit: Dave Kinateder with Plumas National Forest. The crew was working a fuel reduction project in Butterfly Valley! Thanks Dave!
P-CREW Reflections
“Invasive species removal made me realize that I have a talent for identifying plants and have a love to grow and nurture them. Botany may be my thing.”
“I’ve gained an appreciation for the little things, like cookies or a popsicle after a long week in the woods. Furthermore, P-CREW has helped me to gain a newfound appreciation for the stuff I usually take for granted like a mattress, toilet paper, and running water.”
“My favorite part was meeting such a diverse group of people and being able to befriend them.”
“My highlight of P-CREW has been accomplishing goals and challenges I assumed I would never achieve.”
“Let me just tell you this is going to be one crazy, fun, amazing, emotional, memory making and life changing experience! You’re going to work HARD, play harder, live, eat, do chores, everything together with these strangers, and just before you know it these strangers are gonna become family.”
“I didn’t have my phone so I became more comfortable disconnecting and I got in better shape by hiking a lot, and pushing through tough times!”
“P-CREW helped me a lot because I feel like I gained a lot of perspective through meeting new people, and I was put into situations where I had to take care of myself.”
“What made P-CREW worth it for me was seeing the work we accomplished, whether it was miles of trail, feet of fencing, or vast amounts of burn piles! On top of that, it’s really great to understand the impact of what you’re doing.”
What is P-CREW?
- Paid summer job for high school students (10-12 grade) - Earn roughly $1,200 at the end of the session depending on hours worked
- Use hand tools to perform restoration projects including invasive plant removal, fuel reduction, trail maintenance, and more with Forest Service specialists and staff (wildlife biologists, fire ecologists, hydrologists, wildland firefighters, botanists, etc.)
- Weekend recreation trips with the entire crew: backpacking, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, etc.
- Educational lessons and field studies to understand forest ecology, wildfires and watersheds
- Everything (food, transportation, gear, even outdoor clothing) is free (gear and clothing must be returned)
Why Should You Apply?
- Complete valuable restoration projects in areas impacted by human-caused fire
- Provide you with job experience and a chance to gain valuable work skills
- Build your resume
- Introduce you to new career ideas
- Work with students from very different backgrounds to reach on a common goal
- Learn about the Feather River Watershed; the headwaters of the California State Water Project
- Have fun!!!
YOUTH CREW MEMBER APPLICATION
The application must be filled out thoughtfully and completely in order for you to be considered. Note that we rely heavily on the narrative questions in our decision making. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail from P-CREW within 3 days of submitting your application, please email pcrew@sierrainstitute.us to verify we have received your application. The application is open now until April 16, 2021.