Summer 2025 marked a milestone for conservation in the Sequoia National Forest, as two Student Conservation Association crews spent nine weeks breathing new life into trails closed since the Rough Fire of 2015.

A Decade in the Making

When the Rough Fire swept through the Sequoia National Forest in 2015, it consumed nearly 151,000 acres, including a large portion of the Hume Lake Ranger District. Ten years later, fallen trees still blocked trails, reroutes had created environmental damage, and many parts of the trail system remained closed to the public. That’s where the 2025 SCA Western Corps crews came in.

From June 13 through August 14, ten young conservation leaders wielded crosscut saws, cleared brush, and rebuilt tread on some of the forest’s most challenging terrain. Their mission: restore access to wilderness areas while supporting wildfire recovery efforts and enabling critical scientific research.

Impact by the Numbers

The crews’ accomplishments speak volumes:

158,014 feet of trail maintained – that’s nearly 30 miles of restored pathways

1,584 feet of new trail constructed to reconnect historic routes

18 certifications obtained, including Crosscut A-Bucking and Wilderness First Aid

But the real impact goes beyond statistics. The Evans Grove trail, closed for a decade, now welcomes hikers once again. Four disjointed trails in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness have been restored to their original routes, reducing environmental damage. And in Deer Cove, researchers studying endangered white pines can now safely access their study sites.

More Than Just Trail Work

For the ten crew members—hailing from Massachusetts to California, New Jersey to Wisconsin—this summer was transformative. Many had never camped before, let alone spent weeks in the backcountry doing physically demanding conservation work.

Devin Russell, an Environmental Science student, arrived with zero outdoor experience. “SCA gave me the opportunity to make a tangible impact in the field outside of a classroom setting,” he reflected. “I gained skills that I will use throughout my entire career.”

Josue Gomez, studying Recreation Administration, saw the experience as his first step toward becoming a park ranger. “Everything we do here, from cutting logs to clearing brush, is part of a park ranger’s job,” he shared. “I feel much better equipped for that future.”

For Lizzie Villacampa, the summer sparked an unexpected passion. While working in the forest, she fell in love with learning about local bird species, giving her clear direction for her future studies. “SCA gave me the space to slow down and connect with my surroundings,” she said. “It entirely reshaped my future.”

Project Leaders Marta Chojkiewicz from Needham, Massachusetts, and Taylor Ward from Castle Rock, Colorado, guided the team through the summer’s challenging work. Crew members included Felix Berkelman from Madison, Wisconsin; Josue Gomez from Clovis, California; Braxton Koscher from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Max Merel from Los Angeles, California; Ben Reynolds from Buffalo, New York; Lily Ronda from San Luis Obispo, California; Devin Russell from Strongsville, Ohio; and Lizzie Villacampa from Metuchen, New Jersey. Notably, Marta, Taylor, and Felix were all returning SCA alumni, bringing valuable experience to the crews.

Building Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders

Beyond the physical work, crew members developed leadership skills, participated in decision-making processes, and learned to think creatively about solving conservation challenges.

They visited the Buck Rock Fire Lookout and gained a comprehensive understanding of fire monitoring and the historical context of fire management within the park. The Giant Forest Museum in the Sequoia National Park taught them about the unique ecology of the giant sequoias and the region’s diverse ecosystems. They also toured the Boyden Caverns and learned about the geological history and cave formations in the area.

The partnership proved essential for the Hume Lake Ranger District, which operates with a single Wilderness Ranger, Mary Burby. “If we did not have these crews, all those trees would still be out there,” Burby explained. “This year’s crews have allowed for the completion of so many much-needed restoration projects in the forest and have helped to ensure the land remains accessible and well-maintained.”

A Legacy That Lives On

As members of the public began encountering the newly cleared trails, including owl researchers and hikers who remembered the paths before the fire, the crews’ work came full circle. They weren’t just clearing logs and rebuilding tread – they were reconnecting people with wilderness.

Since its founding in 1957 by college student Liz Putnam, the Student Conservation Association has engaged thousands of young people in hands-on conservation work across all 50 states. The 2025 Sequoia Hume Lake Crews exemplify this mission: young people discovering their strength, finding their passion, and learning they have the power to make a real difference.

In a world facing increasingly complex environmental challenges, investing in the next generation of conservation leaders isn’t just important, it’s essential. These ten crew members returned home not just with new skills and certifications, but with the confidence and commitment to continue defending our natural landscapes for years to come.

The Student Conservation Association builds the next generation of conservation leaders by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. Learn more about SCA programs and how you can get involved at thesca.org.

This post was created from a report written by SCA Project Leader Marta Chojkiewicz, and the help of Claude Sonnet 4.5.