PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Learn more about Siskiyou Stewardship Corps
Program Structure & Scope of Work
SSC Training Philosophy & Code of Conduct
SSC Steering Committee
Timeline
Volunteerism
To mitigate the impact of visitor use on local outdoor recreation areas and provide employment opportunities, SORA is forming the Siskiyou Stewardship Corps (SSC).
Siskiyou Stewardship Corps' primary focus will be to promote responsible recreation on private and public lands throughout Siskiyou County. Stewardship work will consist of public outreach and education, trash cleanup, and trailhead/trail maintenance at high-use recreation areas. The education component will focus on promoting responsible use of the natural landscape.
The Siskiyou Stewardship Corps is a program of the nonprofit Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance (SORA). SORA advocates for opportunities for all to access outdoor recreation and creates meaningful and responsible connections to the trails, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and landscapes of the Shasta-Siskiyou region of Northern California.
PROJECT HISTORY
In 2020, Siskiyou County observed a substantial increase in outdoor recreation tourism. Residents, businesses, local governments, and land managers reported that they have never seen local recreation areas as busy and impacted by visitor use as in 2020. While we have seen a steady increase over the last ten years, the Covid-19 pandemic seems to have exacerbated a surge in outdoor recreation.
In August 2020, the Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance received feedback from Siskiyou County residents concerned about the impact of visitor use on our local recreation areas. This trend motivated the organization to distribute a survey that captured feedback and ideas to help local communities troubleshoot this issue. We presented survey results to local businesses, community members, landowners and managers, and nonprofit organizations, and community groups. We surveyed between August 24, 2020 - September 14, 2020. The results included 518 survey takers and 1,022 written responses. The survey results and feedback at the community presentations indicated strong community support for the idea of developing a local stewardship corps program. SORA used the survey data to guide the research process that informed the project proposal.
OUR CONCERNS
• FIRE.
• Overloaded infrastructure.
• Alienated locals.
• Degraded visitor experience due to frustrated locals, garbage, noise, human waste, aggressive dogs.
• Damage to nature and natural resources.
MISSION
Siskiyou Stewardship Corp’s mission is to care for Siskiyou County recreation areas through, education, outreach, advocacy, and stewardship.
SSC Vision
Siskiyou County recreation areas are clean, safe, well-maintained, and welcoming for all communities to connect with nature and to one another. Stewardship of Siskiyou County recreation areas is part of a larger state and regional collaborative effort between agencies, non-profits, and community groups to leverage resources to mitigate the impact of tourism pressures on our natural landscapes.
Our Values
Collaboration
We build trusting, collaborative relationships with land managers, volunteer community groups, and local governments to make a positive impact with limited resources.
Leadership
We are a voice that builds bridges between the public and decision-makers to ensure a thriving, sustainable recreation sector in Siskiyou County.
Inclusion
We ensure that Siskiyou County recreation areas are accessible to everyone through partnerships with local community groups and organizations.
Education
We believe that stewardship education inspires individual and community responsibility to care for our local recreation areas.
PROGRAM GOALS
• Ensure Siskiyou County’s outdoor recreation sector of the economy is resilient, vibrant, and supports our community values.
• Foster a resident and visitor culture that demonstrates respect for our community, culture, and environmental stewardship.
• Support collaboration between federal land agencies, local government, nonprofit and user groups to improve management of recreation and natural resources.
• Be proactive in the management of private and public natural and recreation assets to minimize degradation and enhance quality.
SSC Partners
SSC is partnering with Leave No Trace and Discover Siskiyou to develop customized, bilingual educational materials with best practices that users can follow to delight in and protect our natural spaces, thereby reducing the degradation of our popular recreation areas.
Prospective Fieldwork Sites
Lake Siskiyou Campground
Shastice Park
Mt. Shasta City Park
Gateway Trailhead
Bunny Flat
Panther Meadows
Old Ski Bowl
Castle Lake
Faerie Falls
Lake Siskiyou/ North Shore
Gumboot Lake
Hedgecreek Falls
South Fork of Sacramento River
Ney Springs
McCloud Falls Loop
McCloud Reservoir
Photo Credit: CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
An investment in the Siskiyou Stewardship Corps is an investment in community health and our local economy.
BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN A STEWARDSHIP CORPS
Educated users who clean up after themselves and tread lightly on our local recreation areas.
Clean, safe, well maintained recreation areas.
Improved user experience for locals and visitor alike.