Winner of the Governor's Award for Environmental and Economic Leadership

The C.R.E.W. Ojai, California

WORK PROGRAMS

A. RECREATIONAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE

1. US Forest Service

Since 1991, The C.R.E.W. and the US Forest Service have administered a Partner Agreement under which The C.R.E.W. has maintained, improved and reconstructed more than 600 miles of Forest Service trails. These trails are in several Ranger Districts including Ojai, Santa Barbara and Mt. Pinos Districts. This program is primarily implemented during the summer and spring breaks, and involves crews composed of two adult supervisors and 10 to 12 male and female youth aged 14 to 21, supported by Forest Service personnel. All C.R.E.W. members receive training in safety, personal work ethics, campsite responsibility, job skills, cooperation, leadership and backcountry survival skills.

Youth members are paid for their labor and are covered by Workman’s Compensation and Liability Insurance. The C.R.E.W supplies all food. Each crew usually camps out for 5 days at a time. All supervisors are fingerprinted and certified in CPR and First Aid. Approximately half of our supervisors are also Emergency Medical Technicians. All crews maintain daily radio contact with Los Padres Forest Service Personnel. Our backcountry campouts are a combination of hard work, education and fun. C.R.E.W. members develop new friendships, build value systems, earn money, learn how to husband and protect our environment and at the same time, have a great time.

2. Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA)

The C.R.E.W. has been performing trail Maintenance and Fire Mitigation for this important 23,000 acre open space agency in East Ventura County since 2005. Working closely with the Agency Ranger Staff, they repair trails, clear debris, control invasive plants, and do fire prevention.

3. Casitas Open Space

The C.R.E.W. is sub-contracting to the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation in this wetland restoration project near Santa Ana Creek. It is focusing on the removal of non-native plants and trees.

3. Private Trails

Each year The C.R.E.W. performs trail maintenance on a day work basis for several private and public groups. Clients such as The Thacher School and Saddle Mountain Homeowners Association use The C.R.E.W. to maintain their equestrian trails. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy also uses THe C.R.E.W. for habitat restoration as well as the maintenance of its trails on both the Ventura River Preserve and the El Nido Preserve.

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