[Bishop, CA] October 15, 2024 – Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps (ESCC) is proud to announce the completion of its 2024 trail work season, marked by significant contributions to trail maintenance and wilderness restoration across California’s national forests and state parks. From May 28 to September 20, ESCC’s dedicated crews worked at locations including Eldorado National Forest, Klamath National Forest, Limekiln State Park, San Jacinto State Park, and Inyo National Forest.
Key achievements from the season include maintaining over 17 miles of trails, building 81 causeways, installing 40 rock steps, and restoring over 70,000 square feet of campsites. Crews also cleared 88 logs, constructed rock walls, and completed 109 drain clearings to improve trail safety and sustainability.
“Our crews not only honed their technical skills in trail maintenance but also grew as leaders through immersive experiences in remote wilderness settings,” said Agnes Vianzon, founder and executive director of ESCC. “Their resilience and teamwork, even in the face of unpredictable weather and tough terrain, were remarkable. The work they’ve done will have a lasting impact on both the land and the outdoor community.”
This season’s success also reflects ESCC’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Crews included participants from historically underrepresented communities in the outdoors, including Black, Indigenous, AAPI, Women, and LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals. The 2024 season crew was also ESCC’s first all trans-identifying trail crew. Their collective efforts not only enhanced the work accomplished but also helped foster a more inclusive outdoor culture.
In addition to trail maintenance, ESCC’s work focused on environmental stewardship. Crews contributed to long-term efforts by rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, building sustainable trail infrastructure, and mitigating erosion, ensuring that these natural spaces will remain accessible and protected for future generations.
Looking ahead, ESCC is excited to build on the successes of 2024. “This season laid a strong foundation for future trail work projects and deepened our mission of making the outdoors accessible to all,” said Vianzon.
To learn more about ESCC and how to get involved, visit easternsierracc.org/.
