Idaho Conservation Corps Update:

We are thrilled to provide you with a recap of the exciting activities and accomplishments of the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC) crews for June. Our members have been diligently working across the state, contributing to important conservation projects and gaining valuable hands-on experience. 

All four Youth crews arrived on June 1st and camped together at Lucky Peak Nursery for their first night, creating a strong sense of camaraderie before heading out to their respective project sites.

Blue Crew started their journey in the Steens Mountains of Oregon, spending the first two weeks working on various trails with the Burns BLM. Their tasks included brushing and tread work, ensuring the trails were well-maintained. Following this, they collaborated with the Boise BLM on a fencing project in the Owyhees, repairing and removing fences to protect habitats from cattle. As June came to an end and July began, they headed north to the Panhandle to work with the St Joe Ranger District on trail maintenance and brushing.

Red Crew began their month at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Idaho, focusing on repairing fences to protect habitats from cattle. This important work was even featured in an upcoming article in the Idaho Enterprise. In their third week, the Red Crew took over from the Blue Crew in the Steens, continuing work on the Blitzen River Trail near Page Springs. This week, they are collaborating with the Orange Crew on fuels reduction work with the Emmett Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. Red crew was spotlighted in The Idaho Enterprise newspaper for their work in Caribou County.

Brown Crew (Backcountry Leadership Program-BLP) dedicated their first two weeks to the Cottonwood Trail in the Boise National Forest, performing tread repair and brushing. They transitioned from frontcountry to backcountry work on the same trail during the second week. In their third week, they moved to the Emmett Ranger District to complete additional tread work and brushing. For the last two weeks of June, they were packed into the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, focusing on tread maintenance and construction.

Orange Crew spent their first three weeks working on brushing projects in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This week, they have joined forces with the Red Crew to work on fuels reduction in the Emmett Ranger District.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all our ICC members throughout June. Their efforts not only enhance and protect our natural landscapes but also equip them with valuable skills and experiences.