Utah Conservation Corps Secures Funding for High Uintas Trail Maintenance

LOGAN, Utah —Utah Conservation Corps volunteers will be performing critical maintenance on 100 miles of trails in the High Uintas Wilderness, thanks to new funding.

The Utah Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program within the Utah State University Center for Community Engagement, has received $610,000 in funding through the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Initiative. Utah Conservation Corps crews working under the direction of the Ashley National Forest will complete the maintenance over the next two years.

The work will achieve Outdoor Recreation Initiative goals of increasing access while protecting natural and scenic landscapes as well as preserving the economic vitality of gateway communities. Utah Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members will develop valuable workforce skills and receive mentorship from Ashley National Forest staff while completing crucial projects such as clearing trees, repairing tread, fixing bridges and installing drainage structures.

“Wildfires and beetle kill have left thousands of down trees across the trails in the High Uintas, and we are thrilled to see these partners coming together to help restore access for hikers, equestrians, hunters and anglers” said Patrick Parsel, Statewide Trails Program Manager, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.

The Outdoor Recreation Initiative is designed to serve as a leading national model for effective, collaborative and sustainable management of outdoor recreation infrastructure. By leveraging municipal, state, federal and private resources, the ORI is committed to creating a lasting legacy of well-preserved public recreation opportunities. This project will leverage ORI funding with matching cash and in-kind resources from Utah Conservation Corps, Ashley National Forest and Backcountry Horsemen of Utah.

“We’re grateful for this funding from Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation that will allow UCC crew members to gain important hands-on skills through serving with Ashley National Forest staff in ways that directly benefit National Forest users and local outfitters” said Sean Damitz, executive director of the Utah State University Center for Community Engagement.

Since 2001, more than 3,000 Utah Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members have served 2.3 million hours creating or maintaining over 5,000 miles of trail and nearly 700 miles of fence, restoring approximately 90,000 acres of public land and reaching nearly 600,000 individuals with environmental education. For more information, visit www.usu.edu/ucc.