Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Youth and young adults are at a pivotal moment in their lives: the career opportunities available to new, entry-level workers shape their lifelong opportunities for growth and success. The CREW welcomes young and professionally inexperienced people who are open to working hard, learning new skills, and exploring possibilities. Just as young people need jobs, the natural spaces around us need people to maintain and restore them. The CREW brings people to environmental work in a variety of projects, serving the land stewardship needs of cities, counties, US Forest Service, ranchers, homeowners, and land trusts.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
The C.R.E.W. Employee Development Program
C.R.E.W. employees learn skills for lifelong professional success. Beyond the technical skills needed for The C.R.E.W.'s core work, staff learn communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and even basics such as resume writing, how to dress for different types of work, and how to negotiate promotions and wage increases.
Where we work
External reviews

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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of trees planted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2020, The C.R.E.W. has begun seeking additional partners and grants to steadily increase our reforestation impact.
Number of grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
The C.R.E.W. Employee Development Program
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Much of our field work incorporates on-the-job training. This metric reflects training courses and skills development workshops offered as distinct from field work, to focus on special topics.
Number of placements defined as full-time
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
The C.R.E.W. Employee Development Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Our team averages 40-50 people each year, and our goal is 10% placement into full-time positions.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The CREW's goals include:
1) Train 100 young people each year in essential skills such as communication and collaboration, technical skills, workplace safety, discipline, and self-motivation. 'Graduate' these young people from The CREW into environmental, sustainable energy, and other career-track green jobs.
2) Ensure backcountry access for the residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties by performing regular maintenance on the hundreds of miles of public trails. These trails include hiking, biking, equestrian, OHV, and multi-use trails, maintained to the standards of safe use and to support the health of the surrounding landscape.
3) Habitat restoration within the Ventura River Watershed, restoring vegetation for maximum fire resilience, water conservation, soil regeneration, and biodiversity.
4) Cultivate a sustained, informed ethic of environmental stewardship throughout the communities we serve. Everything that CREW staff learn today set the stage for lifelong commitment to the health of the environment and responsible use of natural lands.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The CREW cultivates a diversity of project locations and types, which in turn assures that team members learn a wide variety of technical skills as well as creative, critical thinking and adaptability. In this way, we also connect with a diverse representation of our vibrant local communities - from conservation to public land stewards, private homeowners and commercial farmers.
The CREW collaborates with public and private partners, in order to coordinate projects and funding opportunities. Collaboration has proven time and again to be the most mutually beneficial approach to achieve our environmental goals, career development goals, and the goals of our collaborative partners.
In order to continuously improve our training programs, as well as to provide networking opportunities and career mentoring for team members, The CREW has formed an advisory team of industry professionals, educators, and environmental leaders.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Over its nearly 30-year history, The CREW has earned the respect and support of civic leaders, community members, and alumni throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Among this extended community are subject-matter experts (including forestry, aboriculture, wildfire prevention and disaster response, trails, conservation, habitat restoration, and soils regeneration), from whom we regularly receive advice and project referrals. Our Board of Directors is active, supportive, and knowledgeable.
Collectively, The CREW's body of staff is rich in expertise covering all of our core areas of field work. The leadership team also holds tremendous experience in staff development, community engagement, and a fierce dedication to the success of every team member and every project.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The CREW will be celebrating 30 years in 2021. Over these three decades, over 1,000 teens and young adults have worked hard on projects close to home and far in the backcountry, earning a living and continuing on personal and professional success. The CREW team collectively works more than 11,000 hours in the field each year, and the greatly increased staff retention in 2020 has shown improvement out of our new recruitment and onboarding processes. We have strong, ongoing partnerships with 20 nonprofit organizations and local, county, and state agencies.
What's ahead for The CREW:
Deepen expertise and impact of environmental work by keeping pace with current research and best practices
Expand our network of project and funding partners
Maintain strong relationships with current advisors and supporters, and establishing new relationships
Career pathways within established and emerging fields
Continue to revise, refine, and expand our staff development programs
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers
Board of directorsas of 9/8/2020
Mary Bergen
Larry Beckett
Ojai Unifed School District
Laura Ciontea
Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner, & Morriset
Michelle Henson
Bank of Sierra
James Clark
J.E. Clark II Corporation
Sandy Buechley
Patagonia
Patrick Loughman
Lowthorp, Richards, McMillan, Miller, & Templeton
Greg LePine
Ojai Unifed School District