Words such as pulaski, weed-wrench and pick-mattock, noxious and invasive weeds, habitat protection and restoration have become common vocabulary this summer for the hard-working, fun-loving members of the Orcas Island Youth Conservation Corps. Pulling Scotch broom and cutting blackberry, caring for restoration plantings and doing major trail restoration have become part of the skill set of the crew, along with teamwork and persevering through challenging conditions.

Established in 2013, the OIYCC is patterned after successful programs on Lopez and San Juan. Although each program operates and is funded separately, the three programs share the goal of involving young people in a variety of projects that emphasize service on public lands, team building, environmental education, and caring for the natural environment.

This summer, its second season, OIYCC will work a total of 16 days, involving 20 young people ages 12 to 15 years old. They will complete projects on 12 different sites, working for, and under the direction of a dozen different agencies and property owners. This work will total up to well over 1,200 hours of community service this season and include projects such as removing blackberry for the land bank on the Garry Oak restoration project, defining trails on the ecologically sensitive small islands of the San Juan Islands National Monument, and restoring the primitive area campground for hikers and bikers at Moran State Park.

This past week, the crew was joined by members of the Washington Trails Association for a two-day work party at Mountain Lake.

Funding for OIYCC’s work has come from an Orcas Island Community Foundation grant and a county lodging tax grant, as well as several cooperating agencies and private donations.  To support this program, donate through the Madrona Foundation website.