Youths gain valuable experience in conservation program

Wednesday was an informational meet and greet for both sides, as youth from the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) met with Sanders County commissioners to share their experience in the summer work program with the Forest Service (FS) and learn a little more about the role of the county's executive branch, once nicknamed the "County Dads."

Plains/Thompson Falls District Ranger Dave Hattis and county commissioners agreed that the youth summer program is the number one project the district wanted funded this year because the effort put forth by the adolescents is a great addition to the area and provides a great opportunity for them to get involved in caring for the outdoors.

The 40-hour work week summer employment program is open to teens age 15-18 and puts them to work on actual FS project needs under the direction of an experienced employee, or a crew leader from the Montana Conservation Corps.

The meeting was scheduled to allow the young participants to present the projects completed and lessons learned during their experience – but before the presentations began, they expressed unanimous interest in hearing from the commissioners and what it is they do.

The civics lesson began with commissioner Carol Brooker explaining that they were elected to act like a governor of a state, but at the county level. "We all sit on many boards, I'm involved in 17 boards dealing with various issues." The 24-year commissioner added that she was pleased to be the one to draw the names of registrants who would be participating in this round of youth conservation efforts. "I think this is a great program and getting you out in the woods for the summer to learn new skills is time well spent."

Commissioner Tony Cox shared that before his 10 years as commissioner, he spent 20 years with Montana Highway Patrol. Cox's view of the conservation program was also warm, "I personally thank you for the useful projects you've taken on in our area. This is also a great summer job opportunity for youth, and hopefully the experience has given you a look into the Forest Service and a possible future staying on with the cause as a career someday."

Glenn Magera explained that his role showed him "it is difficult to please everyone all the time, but our different backgrounds and experiences have us bringing unique viewpoints to the table to help the county however we can."

Magera lauded the youth for their assertive attitudes to step up and participate in the program, "sure, it is great that you are able to make some money for the summer through meaningful work, but this is also a good thing to have on your job applications – even if the job you are applying for isn't related to conservation. Youth with any kind of work experience are ahead of the game when it comes to applying for jobs."

Hattis added to the importance of their work, stating that 52 percent of the land within the county is federally owned, and it is locals who take on the jobs that care for those areas. He also thanked the commissioners for their cooperative working relationship and continued support in the youth outdoors conservation programs. He shared that he heard many times from the youth that even though they'd lived here all their lives, they were introduced to new places that were close to home.

Two youth teams were represented at the meeting, one from the Cabinet Ranger District of Trout Creek and the other from the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. The Cabinet team's Gabby Pallister shared the preparation prior to working in the field, "we came up with a purpose for our upcoming time together through twelve lessons. One of them was 'equity through identity,' which gave us a stepping stone to open up and share our personality and how it would guide our work as individuals and as a team." She added that spending eight hours a day, five days a week with a team allowed them to get to know one another and enjoy some inside jokes along the trails. The team leaders were proud of the crew's work ethic and ability to work together to complete jobs.

YCC worker Michael Antonich, of Noxon, shared that Gem Peak Lookout was open to public overnight stays because of their work, new trail treads had been dug and cleanup around North Shore Campground, noxious weed identification and removal was executed, and wood splitting to stock lookouts prevented visitors from cutting down wood from trees that might not be ready.

Marie Errecart led the Plains/Thompson Falls 8-week program, with a new project each week. She said she hopes the program will also be open to youth in Hot Springs in the future. For fire week, the crew dug fire lines to prevent possible flame jumps in the event of fire. Burn piles were capped in the Mule Pasture for later burning when fire danger is not so high. The crew learned how to sharpen Pulaski's, the tool of choice for backcountry firefighters and trail crews. Eddy Peak and Pat's Knob lookouts were repaired and opened for the public, thanks to their efforts. The crew also learned practical first aid measures, such as using a "sked" – a soft stretcher used to carry injured persons without further hurting the wounded. The planks of Little Thompson Bridge were pried, cleaned under and old planks were replaced, new holes drilled, and new bolts fastened. The all-nail Cabin City Bridge near St. Regis also received an overhaul.

The Plains/Thompson Falls crew also met with loggers in the Murphy Creek timber area to learn the importance of access that was improved by youth, and the benefits logging has to the economy, forests and FS. An out-of-bounds fence was deconstructed and replaced accurately, and youth enjoyed the fish shocking/stunning aspect of fishery work in the confluence of McGinnis/Alder Creek.

Aspects of archaeology were explored, as well as rediscovery and re-digging of Teepee Trail that was overgrown since the 2016 fire. They learned different team approaches to trail digging, including the progressive swing step, posting five feet apart from each other, and the "bump" at 25 feet apart, laying down 18-inch tread on a 45-degree slope.

A failed floodplain pick-up was also in effect at Clear Creek, and the Plains Backcountry Horsemen assisted the crew in learning how to properly pack saddles at the county fairgrounds. Cougar Peak Lookout need an overhaul after the recent fires resulted in fire retardant staining the cabin. Planks were cleaned and repainted or replaced.

Hattis expressed his thanks to the crew leaders and the crews for always arriving home safely. "Safety is paramount for our employees, and the training and experience you've gained working with us shows that you understand the maturity needed to complete tasks safely and go home safe and sound. Safety is the most critical part of this work, especially in dangerous areas."