Based on the rich tradition of wilderness trail workers, Trail Corps members serve for one year alongside Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council to construct, repair, maintain, and restore the public trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent areas. Corps members participate in analyzing planning, and completing various trail projects including maintenance and clearing, construction of erosion prevention structures, and construction of steps, walkways, and bridges in timber or rock and outreach events conducted by Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council members.
Applicants must be:
- a current CSUCI undergraduate student
- available weekends
- must be able to make a one-year commitment & serve a maximum of 100 hours
- have transportation to local trails and parks
- Pay rate: $18.00 an hour
Interested applicants may send a cover letter and Student Application to Jennifer Raymond at jennifer.raymond@csuci.edu. In the subject line, please note the position you are applying for (e.g. Trail Corps).
What Trail Corp Members Say
"The Trail Corps is a great opportunity to give back to our community, preserve our scenic environments that make California great, and meet great people who share the same passion in which will compliment your life and college experience nicely!" Charles Knowles, 2022
"Being part of Trail Corps is rewarding. While it can be labor intensive and sometimes hot, it’s worth it once you get to see the trails before and after some work. You know you’ve made an impact here and helped keep the trails free of hazards." Katie Eikenberry, 2022
"This program not only helps to give back to the community but it also provides you with a connection with the mountains and trails all around you. When you work on a trail you fee a sense of ownership of the work and occasionally hikers will compliment your work which is always reassuring that we are doing a greet job." Bryan Loya Acevedo, 2022
MEET THE 2023-2024 TRAILS CORPS MEMBERS
Krista Smith
Krista Smith is a senior, majoring in Environmental Science and Resource Management and minoring in Biology. She is interested in the position because it combines her love of nature and hiking with giving back to the community. It is also a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the environment. As a Trail Corps member, Krista will be working on trail restoration, while gaining knowledge about the local flora and fauna. After graduation, Krista plans to pursue a career in conservation and/or restoration ecology.
Christopher Ramirez
Christopher Ramirez is a junior, majoring in Sociology. He is interested in this position because he loves the outdoors and wanted to be a part of a community that cares about outdoor recreation. He believes that being involved with the community reflects ourselves. Christopher says that if we can build our community up, others will take notice, and it will start a chain reaction. Being passionate about being involved can be contagious. After graduation, Christopher plans to attend grad school.
Solomon Adams
Solomon is a sophomore, majoring in Environmental Science and Resource Management with an emphasis on Marine and Coastal Systems. He is interested in this position because he wanted experience working in the environment and saw it contributing to the public good. As a Trail Corps member, he cuts plant material off trails, grades trails to make sure they’re leveled, and removes obstacles from the trails. After graduation, Solomon is planning to go to graduate school and work in marine biology or marine ecology.