FDRD started a brand new summer youth crew called Youth Forest Stewards (YFS). This crew of local, high-school aged youth meet once per month for an environmental service project with FDRD. Projects include trail maintenance, fence building, campsite restoration, wildlife habitat restoration, and more! Kids get the opportunity to learn what it takes to care for our local forest and how much of an impact they can make on our trails here in Summit County.

Next up our YFS crew tackled some turnpike maintenance on the Peaks Trail. Everyone learned what exactly a turnpike is, and why this elevated trail structure is ideal for areas that tend to get wet or muddy with spring runoff or heavy precipitation. The crew completed 30 feet of turnpike maintenance and were able to really see the difference they made. Check out those progress pictures! During the project the kids had fun using their power drill skills from the first project, as well as pounding rebar into rounds, collecting dirt from a borrow pit, and smashing rocks with the single jack. The end product ensures that hikers feet don’t get muddy or wet when passing through, and that surrounding areas are not damaged when hikers inevitably avoid over-saturated areas.

The last YFS project of the summer took place on National Public Lands Day, one of the largest forest stewardship days in the country! The crew of local high schoolers culminated their season by coordinating their very own public volunteer project, for which they chose illegal campsite restoration up Peru Creek Road. Everybody invited their friends and family out to show them all they’ve learned over the course of the summer. At the end of the day our group of 19 restored 5,000 square feet of forest, transplanted 12 trees, plus eight additional plants, and collected a bag of trash.