Youth Stewardship
P-CREW
P-CREW
Plumas Conservation, Restoration, and Education in Watersheds (P-CREW)
P-CREW Youth Corps
Our Mission
Developing the next generation of diverse natural resource stewards through field-based education, paid work experience, and community living, P-CREW empowers high school youth to become environmental leaders.
Get Paid to Live, Work, Learn, and Play Outdoors!
What We Do
- Deliver 5 weeks of immersive, residential conservation programming
- Employ 44 high school students from urban, rural, and tribal communities each summer
- Provide hands-on training in trail building, fuels reduction, invasive species removal, and more
- Offer environmental education focused on land stewardship, fire and watershed ecology, and traditional ecological knowledge
- Create opportunities for sustainable outdoor recreation
- Supply all gear, equipment, food, and transportation
2024 P-CREW Achievements
In 2024, P-CREW brought together 29 young leaders from diverse backgrounds to complete hands-on restoration projects across Northern California. Our two summer crews made a lasting impact on both the land and each other.
Two crews. 29 youth. A summer of hands-on restoration, leadership, and land stewardship across Northern California.
Why We Do It
- Expand access to the outdoors and conservation career pathways
- Support youth’s personal growth and meaningful friendships
- Build bridges between rural and urban communities
- Foster environmental stewardship and a deep connection to land and water
- Help youth discover their leadership potential in the field of natural resource management
Video Gallery
Program Highlights
Youth Reflections
A Typical P-Crew Day (Pt 1)
A Typical P-Crew Day (Pt 2)
Rock Climbing Adventure
Mt Lassen Sunrise Hike
Gearing Up for P-Crew
P-CREW History
The Plumas Conservation, Restoration, and Education in Watersheds (P-CREW) program was born from wildfire recovery efforts and a vision for youth leadership.
In the early 2010s, Plumas National Forest Supervisor Earl Ford imagined a program where rural youth from Plumas County and urban students from the East Bay could work side by side restoring fire-impacted landscapes. With funding from U.S. Forest Service fire settlements and support from the Sierra Institute, that idea became a reality.
In 2015, P-CREW launched its first season with two crews tackling invasive species, repairing damaged ecosystems, and learning about wildfire prevention.
By 2018, the program had doubled in size to four crews and 44 youth participants, expanding its restoration impact and deepening its educational mission.
In 2023, P-CREW took a historic step, reserving 25% of positions for tribal youth and embedding Indigenous knowledge into all aspects of the program. This includes integrating land acknowledgments, traditional ecological perspectives, and collaborations with Indigenous leaders.
P-CREW continues to grow, reaching more communities and ecosystems every year. It’s not just a summer job—it’s a movement to rebuild fire-resilient forests, empower youth, and honor the people and places that make this land home.
Join our mailing list
We’re hard at work in our local forests and communities and we’re excited to share important updates with you via our monthly newsletter. Thank you for your interest in our work and being part of our community!
