Our restoration crews improve habitats for fish and wildlife. Typical projects include:
- Planting native trees and shrubs along rivers and streams
- Removing invasive species
- Implementing erosion control techniques
- Participating in salmon recovery projects
- Establishing in-stream structures and channels
- Constructing livestock exclusionary fencing
- Collecting marine debris from coastal beaches
Spike crews travel around the state to complete short-term projects, known as "spikes," for our partners. Spike crew projects may vary monthly and even weekly and involve a wide variety of restoration and trail projects. Typical projects include:
- Restoring habitat
- Implementing erosion control techniques
- Establisihing in-stream structures and channels
- Improving recreational trails
- Building bridges and boardwalks
- Constructing livestock exclusionary fencing
Spike crews have a designated meet-up location and travel to the project location together in a WCC truck. Depending on the project, typical spikes are either four-day (Monday-Thursday) or eight-day (Thursday-Thursday).
Our trail crews collaborate with city, county, state, and national parks and forests to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for the public. Typical projects involve:
- Constructing or improving recreational trails
- Building bridges and boardwalks
- Upgrading campgrounds
- Installing environmental education facilities
- When weather or access prevents trail projects, trail crews may support restoration projects
Note on backcountry projects: Backcountry trail crews have a designated meet-up location and travel to the project location together in a WCC truck. From there, crews often hike several miles to establish camp, where they stay four to eight days (WCC calls these "spikes"). Backcountry trail projects occur throughout the spring and summer — weather permitting — and typically involve a heavy amount of camping. These are rigorous assignments, so be ready to hike on uneven and rocky terrain while carrying tools and personal gear. You'll use a variety of hand tools, such as shovels and saws, for 10 hours a day, up to eight days at a time.