Okanogan National Forest

Wenatchee River Ranger District
600 Sherbourne
Leavenworth, WA 98826

509. 548-2550 or 548.2551 Voice
509.548.5817 Fax

Forestry Sciences Laboratory
1133 N. Western
Wenatchee, WA 98801

509.662-4315 Voice
509.664.2742 Fax

Youth Make Trail and Rangeland Improvements

Tonasket, WA -- Local students are working to provide trail and rangeland maintenance this summer through a state, federal and county partnership.  The Sky program, hosted by the Tonasket School District , has youth from all over the north county area accomplishing much needed projects and learning about natural resources.

SKY which stands for Service Knowledge Youth was founded as a collaboration between school district and private partners to provide high school students with an outdoor based work experience blended with academic instruction. SKY teaches job skills, teamwork and stewardship of public lands while providing an opportunity to earn academic credit through a combination of classroom activities, conservation projects and outdoor experiences.

Funded in part with Title 2 money from the US Forest Service, it is an outstanding example of successful partnering.   Agencies and organizations that are involved include the United States Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Okanogan County , Washington State Worksource, Pacific Northwest Trail Association and Oroville and Tonasket School Districts.  The program will conclude in August of this year with each student giving a short public presentation.

"A lot of Forest Service projects have benefited from the help of these kids", said Mark Morris, District Ranger at Tonasket. "The trail work they are doing is making trails safer, reducing the risk of serious injury to both people and livestock in addition to reducing soil erosion.  Work accomplished with the help of partnerships like this is more than 'a nice to do' it is an integral part to accomplishing our objectives each year".

Some of the projects that have benefited by SKY kids' work this year have included:   Trail repairs, maintenance and improvements on Clark Ridge, Tiffany, and 14-Mile, Horseshoe Basin, Long Draw in addition to work on Washington State Department of Natural Resources trails.   Water developments, fencing, and other range work have also been accomplished at a number of locations including Goodenough Peak and Jimmy's Meadows.

Participating teachers and crew leaders in the SKY program are: Andrew Jones, Warren Fulton, Scott Olson, Ariahana Jones and Sol Jones.  

"These students and leaders have endured working in snow, hard rain, and hail and below freezing temperatures. They have worked hard in the heat and cold and produced a lot of great projects.   It has strengthened my belief that today's youth are up to any challenge we throw at them.   These are tough, hard working young men and women," said Jim Weed, local Pasayten Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. "They continually surprise us with their ability to complete projects ahead of time with quality better than what we asked."

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	SKY participants working on range improvements at Jimmy's Meadows Photo Courtesy of: Annie Bellini, USDA-FS
	Remains of Peak Creek Bridge on Clark Ridge trail following the Isabel fire of 2003 Photo Courtesy of: USDA-FS
	Replacement Bridge installed over Peak Creek thanks to the help of many volunteers, employees, and SKY participants. Photo Courtesy of: USDA-FS