Submitted by the Lopez Island Conservation Corps

The Lopez Island Conservation Corps had another successful summer program in 2016. Buoyed by a strong turnout of motivated youth, the crew went above and beyond. In total, there was a crew of six this season: Alyssa Hamlin, Marvin Snapp, Galen Westervelt, Quinn Steckler, Elijah Carey, and Brendan Hayner-Slattery. With a balance of different personalities, ages, and skills the crew grew into a strong team as the summer progressed. It was the first season for Eljah and Brendan, and the second for Alyssa, Marvin, Quinn, Galen and crew lead Emmett Lawrence.

The crew worked in 10 different locations throughout San Juan County, ranging from Fisherman Bay and Iceberg Point, to Sucia Island and Moran State Park. In total, the crew served nearly 940 hours, cumulatively, in public recreation areas this summer.

In 2016, the LICC improved close to 21,000 feet of trails, filled 11 15-gallon trash bags with the flower buds of invasive thistles, and positioned a 4,000-pound dock to serve as a boardwalk in the Land Bank’s Hummel Lake Preserve, amongst other things.

Another valuable part of the summer schedule was the environmental education curriculum. This portion of the program relied on the knowledge, skills, and generosity of local community members who came out to share with the crew. They learned about archaeology and oral history of native people, local ecosystems, invasive species, art in nature, GPS use for invasive species mapping, forest surveying techniques, and salve making with medicinal plants.

The crew wishes to extend its thanks to the LICC board members, the Bureau of Land Management, all the community members who worked with them.