(Heart of Oregon Corps youth complete conservation projects across Central Oregon | Photos courtesy of Heart of Oregon Corps)
As wildfire season continues across Central Oregon, Heart of Oregon Corps youth crews are spending their summer outdoors — completing conservation projects, improving recreation areas, and supporting the health and safety of the landscapes our communities depend on.
For young people ages 16-24, these projects are more than a summer job. Through Heart of Oregon’s workforce development programs, participants work on meaningful community projects while earning wages, stipends, and scholarships. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience, technical skills, professional development, and a stronger connection to their communities.
“When youth see the direct impact of their work, they begin to see themselves differently,” said Laura Handy, Executive Director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “They’re building trails and reducing wildfire risk, but they’re also building confidence, technical skills, and pathways to careers.”
Summer is a critical season for conservation work throughout Central Oregon. With increased recreation and heightened wildfire concerns, Heart of Oregon crews are working on projects across the region that support safer recreation, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient communities.
In Redmond’s Dry Canyon, Heart of Oregon crews partner with the City of Redmond to thin vegetation, limb trees, and remove dead plant material to help mitigate wildfire risk and create a strategic firebreak to help protect neighboring communities. Crews at Skull Hollow Campground near Smith Rock State Park are partnering with USFS specialists to remove invasive weeds, repair fences, rake debris, and tend to mulch. Meanwhile, Heart of Oregon youth in Bend are maintaining beloved Deschutes River Trails by updating water drainage to reduce erosion, improving tread, and removing hazards for safer visitor experiences.
Graduating from and now serving as a Field Team Leader for the HDCC program, Russell Stevens shared: “HDCC allows me to work with an amazing crew and make the environment healthier and safer while having a lot of learning experiences. I enjoy getting to help the environment. I feel like I am doing something productive for society.”
Many Heart of Oregon conservation projects focus on mitigating wildfire risks. With the devastating state of active fires in Central Oregon, Heart of Oregon staff and youth recognize and thank the firefighters and first responders working on the front lines. Protecting communities requires a collective effort — from emergency response to proactive prevention and land stewardship.
Together, Heart of Oregon’s year-round and summer conservation crews are helping care for Central Oregon’s public lands, reduce wildfire risks, and complete projects that support healthier, more resilient communities.
The impact of this work will continue to grow as Heart of Oregon opens its new centralized campus in Redmond this fall. The campus will provide a permanent home for youth workforce development programs and expand opportunities for young people to access hands-on training, career pathways, and supportive services.
Community members are invited to join Heart of Oregon in celebrating this milestone. Corporate sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets for the family-friendly Endless Summer Nights fundraiser on Saturday, September 19, are available now, with proceeds supporting the final phase of the campus campaign. The community is also invited to attend the official campus ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Guests can RSVP now to celebrate the opening of Heart of Oregon’s new youth workforce development campus in Redmond.
Youth ages 16-24 interested in Heart of Oregon programs can learn more and fill out the simple online application at heartoforegon.org. For questions or more information, contact Youth Conservation Programs Recruitment and Data Coordinator, Shelby Sauer, email recruitment@heartoforegon.org or call/text 458-600-1856.
About Heart of Oregon Corps:
Heart of Oregon Corps (HOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities. With the goal of career readiness, HOC hires and trains 225 youth ages 16-24 annually in the fields of conservation, construction, childcare, and warehousing logistics. Accredited by the Corps Center for Excellence, HOC is committed to training tomorrow’s workforce today and is accepting youth applications now! For more information or to apply, visit
