Purpose:
Trail Corps members will actively work to engage CSUCI students in trail restoration and conservation through education, volunteer opportunities and promotion and marketing. With the goal of connecting CSUCI students to nature, developing future volunteers, and helping students build civic and professional skills.

Based on the rich tradition of wilderness trail workers, Trail Corps members serve for one year alongside Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council to construct, repair, maintain, and restore the public trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent areas. Corps members participate in analyzing planning, and completing various trail projects including maintenance and clearing, construction of erosion prevention structures, and construction of steps, walkways, and bridges in timber or rock and outreach events conducted by Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council members. Corps members will be introduced to the principles of “Land Stewardship” and “Leave No Trace”. Corps members will be introduced to the value of volunteerism and will work with other local Non-Profit Organizations and land use Agencies.

Will also support the Modoc Garden (on campus) by conducting weed maintenance 2 hours/month.

Corp members will learn:

• Training and safety orientation (online)
• Trail Work Guide (online)
• The historic skills of trail maintenance and construction, and the process of building healthy, inclusive communities alongside leaders in the field of trail conservation leadership skills by having a unique learning experiences in a truly spectacular environment
• Identification of flora and fauna in the Santa Monica Mountains

Trainings Offered:

• Leave No Trace (LNT) Outdoor Ethics
• Trails Work Skills
• Trails Assessment
• Data Collection (if applicable)
• Flora and fauna in the Santa Monica Mountains

Applicant Eligibility Requirements:

• A current CSUCI undergraduate student
• Available weekends
• Serve a maximum of 100 hours (approx. 2 Saturdays/month)
• Make a one-year commitment (Aug - May)
• Have transportation to local trails and parks

Pay rate: Corps members will receive a stipend for 100 hours of work to split between fall and spring semester.

Our Role:
For the Trails Council, the "actionable" part of this program is the establishment of the "CSUCI Trail Corps". The Trail Corps is a group of five students who will be working with the Trails Council for the next several months. The Trail Corps "Position Description", which describes the student's learning objectives and infers the SMMTC responsibilities. Trail Corps members will be joining the Trails Council on our regular outings as part of their learning experience. SMMTC Crew leaders should keep in mind that Trail Corps members are not here just to perform trail work, but also learn about the environment, experience volunteering and community service. During our events, SMMTC crew leaders should try to help enrich their experience beyond just brush cutting. In addition to our regular outings, several special events have been scheduled just for the Trail Corps, to broaden their experience and ensure they have opportunities to meet all of their program objectives. I will be asking SMMTC crew leaders for your assistance with some of these activities.

The Corps members program began with an Orientation, an "introductory" trail maintenance lecture and performed a few hours of OJT. They have completed the parks volunteer agreements and related forms. Jason Finley has verified their vaccination status. They will now be joining our trail maintenance events. Jerry Mitcham is the SMMTC Manager for this program. Please address any questions or comments to him. Jerry Mitcham @verizon.net