Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers

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.

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.

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.

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