Youth Forest Stewards (YFS)
Your Donation to FDRD will make a difference!
Introducing… The Youth Forest Stewards Program!
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District is announcing an exciting new program, Youth Forest Stewards, (YFS) for high school students (age 14-18). Youth who participate in this five-month long forest stewardship program will learn a variety of trail maintenance techniques, while building a community of like-minded students focused on bettering the White River National Forest.
This group will meet monthly from May through September for a forest stewardship project. Each month, the type of project will differ: new trail construction, forestry project, rehabilitation project, wildlife habitat restoration, etc. The culmination of this program will result in the students planning, promoting, and leading a volunteer project of their own in September. This will allow students to get together with other like-minded students and make a real difference in the forest.
Student Benefits
Build friendships
Earn community service hours for school
Opportunity to apply for FDRD’s $1,000 college scholarship
Join a community of youth focused on helping the forest and trails in Summit County
Improve your resume for college applications
Make a difference on the public lands of Summit County
Student Expectations
Must be 14-18 years old
Provide your own transportation to all project locations (within Summit County)
Dress appropriately for each project and bring an adequate amount of water and food for the day
A positive attitude and engagement in each project – this is a program for students who already have an interest in forest stewardship
Ability to follow COVID regulations as directed by Summit County Public Health
Attend at least 5 of the project dates (listed below) in order to graduate the program – if a day is missed, the participant can work with instructors to make up that date. *SEPTEMBER PROJECT IS REQUIRED*