2026 Wilderness Conservation Corps Intern Program
Internship Description
Our Wilderness Corps trail crews do the hard work it takes to restore and maintain the most remote Forest Service trails in southwest Oregon and northwest California. They backpack into project sites and spend their days removing downed logs, cutting thick brush, and rebuilding forgotten trails. Through the process, each year interns visit most remote pockets of this region acclaimed for its biodiversity and complex natural history.
Interns commit to a term of service of varying lengths, working a rigorous schedule of work hitches extending anywhere between eight and 21 days. They are led by field staff with multiple years of experience in backcountry trail work.
Crew members get mixed-and-matched to fit projects, but off-trail activities are spent as a group. Required off-trail activities include things such as:
- Whitewater rafting trips
- Visit to Crater Lake National Park with their staff
- Visits at California’s Redwood National and State Park
- Vocational workshops and civic engagement
- Classroom training activities to gain nationally-recognized qualifications
The Wilderness Corps is an intense and immersive experience. Interns participate in an online onboarding process leading up to their term and jump right in on their start date. Each intern provides consistent feedback that inspires progress and growth. Project locations are predetermined but can change depending on conditions. Each crew member must complete our approximately 15-hour online curriculum before their term starts.
Location
Projects occur throughout Southwest Oregon and Northwest California. Our home base for off-trail days is Ashland, OR, though we may venture out for some off-trail activities.
Terms, Pay & Housing
In 2026, we have two start dates and multiple end-dates. The pay is a $1,800 monthly educational stipend that is paid biweekly. Partial months are pro-rated.
Interns who start on June 1 have the option of four end dates. Interns who start June 25 are limited to an August 17 or August 29 end date.
| Potential Start Dates |
Potential End Dates |
Total Stipend |
| June 1 | July 27 | $3,366 |
| June 1 | August 5 | $3,890 |
| June 1 | August 17 | $4,586 |
| June 1 | August 29 | $5,282 |
| June 25 | August 17 | $3,086 |
| June 25 | August 29 | $3,782 |
On off-trail days, interns stay at a blend of campgrounds and hostels in Ashland, OR. Campgrounds include shower and laundry and we accommodate transportation into town with shops, restaurants, library and other amenities. Crew members always have the first and last of their off-trail days to recoup and prepare. Other days are programmed with required activities.
2025 WCC intern Jada Dachtler after crosscutting a log.
2023 WCC interns Spencer Campbell and Eleanor Lee using the double crosscut
Academic Credit
SMC provides documentation, evaluation, and other items needed for interns to gain academic credit from the college they are enrolled in.
Training
We provide comprehensive curricular and field training with an emphasis on the individual’s personal growth and professional development.
- Basic backcountry trails skills. Interns will be able to brush, tread, and remove trees from a trail prism to meet universal trail standards
- Interpersonal communication skills in small group settings.
- Backpacking and wilderness survival. Interns will grow the skills to be self-reliant in the backcountry, plan their own trips, and work and live in remote wilderness settings
- Credentials: Interns earn certificates issues by the University of Montana’s Arthur Carhart Wilderness Institute, the Center for Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, U.S. Forest Service, and Siskiyou Mountain Club
- First Aid and CPR, Leave No Trace, and USFS crosscut saw certification, pending eligibility
- Certificate of public service recognized by the National Corps Network, Federal Employers, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Educational activities, curricular requirements and off-trail days.
Complete (approximately) 15-hour online curriculum that includes Core Competency of the Wilderness Act, Leave No Trace, and background on trail work. Maintain daily journal and photo entries during backcountry hitches and participate in group activities on days off. Produce final portfolio of work. We schedule required off-trail activities for the 2nd and 3rd days so interns have time to rest on the 1st day and prepare on the 4th.
Crew members get mixed-and-matched to fit projects, but off-trail activities are spent as a group. Required off-trail activities include things such as:
- Whitewater rafting trips
- Visit to Crater Lake National Park
- Visits at California’s Redwood National and State Park
- Program by Forest Service archaeologist
- Classroom training activities to gain nationally-recognized qualifications
Assistant Crew Leader Leah Doeden hiking to the trailhead at the end of a 14-day hitch.
Wilderness Corps crew hiking into the fog to start the work day
Duties and Responsibilities
Field Work
- Participate in backcountry work projects that require backpacking into project sites
- Use of hand tools. Your days will be spent using long-armed loppers, pruning saws, crosscut saws, Pulaskis, and moving large materials
- Produce work quality that meets SMC’s trail standards
Communication
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Actively participate in briefings, debriefings, group activities
- Relay information as needed
- Ability to follow verbal and written directions
Curricular and enrichment activities
- Complete online training in timelines provided
- Work with SMC managers to develop season goals and benchmarks
- Draft daily journal entries
- Participate in required activities during off-trail days
- Produce final portfolio of work (optional)
- Other duties as assigned
Required Skills and Experience
- Must be 18 or over by start date
- All arrivals complete a physical test before backpacking into the field
- Ability to perform strenuous activity, including the ability to carry 60 pounds for 10 miles across rough terrain.
- Must be able to work long hours with heavy tools on uneven terrain. Requires lifting, moving, and scooting large materials such as logs and rocks
- Strong verbal communication
- Punctuality and endurance
- Ability to follow multi-step directions
- Effective at working independently and as a strong team member
- Motivated and self-disciplined
- Must acquire basic lightweight backpacking gear
- The use of tobacco, cigarettes, vape, smokeless or otherwise, is prohibited
- Electronic devices including cell phones, tablets, iPods, smart watches and mp3 players are prohibited for on-trail days
