Wildland Restoration Team Member

Wildland Restoration Team Member

Crew Members work on 4-9 day overnight conservation projects on some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Northern Rockies and Plains. Crews will be made up of adults who are 17-30 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds and locations throughout the country. Crews will camp for the full duration of a hitch (i.e. 4-9 day project assignment), oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations vary, including car-camping and remote backcountry settings away from a vehicle. 

Wildland Restoration Teams in Missoula, Bozeman, and Kalispell work with a diverse range of stakeholders (private, government, and non-profit) in order to achieve large scale land conservation efforts with rural communities throughout the state of Montana. This is a great opportunity for current students, recent college graduates, or anyone who has an interest in restoration to gain practical field experience in a rapidly growing area of conservation, with and a strong potential for future career paths.  Wildland Restoration Teams mitigate invasive plants through mechanical, chemical, and biological efforts. Crew use herbicide to manage invasive weeds, and MCC provides professional level training in the safe use and transport of chemicals. Wildland Restoration Teams manage invasive weeds in the remote Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, The Payette National Forest, Glacier National Park, and on the breathtaking plains of eastern Montana. Wildland Restoration Teams may also work on a variety of other projects, including stream restoration, beaver-dam mimicry, non-native fish removal, fencing, planting, trail building and more. Not all CMs will work on all types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief.

Wildland Restoration Teams in Helena will participate in a variety of innovative wetlands and habitat restoration projects, with a main focus on mesic restoration techniques including beaver mimicry and in-stream beaver-dam analog construction, a simple, effective, and non-invasive approach to riparian restoration.  Crews will construct beaver mimicry structures (Low Tech Process Based Restoration) to effectively slow down and spread water over the landscape to expand critical habitat, mitigate wildfire, reduce invasive species and increase water availability in traditionally parched times of year.  Studies have shown that these stream remediation efforts in the treated watershed mitigated the effects of drought, reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire and flooding, improved water quality, expanded critical wildlife habitat and created a micro-climate with reduced air and water temperatures. Projects are often rigorous, requiring participants to carry and use heavy power equipment and work in hot weather across rugged terrain while wearing protective gear. Not all CMs will work on all types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief. This position is based in Helena, MT with extensive travel to the central and eastern part of the state required.