UCC's work is driven by the AmeriCorps Pledge:
"I will get things done for America - to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done."
#AmeriCorps #ServingUtahWithPurpose #CommitmentToService #Conservation #ServiceMatters #UServeUtah
@TheCorpsNetwork@Americorps@userveutah
After serving several seasons with UCC in multiple capacities, Tadgh is back in the Moab office as an FLT!
He’s originally from Utah Valley and joined UCC to grow and gain knowledge and experience in conservation and live closely with the desert. He loves working alongside people outdoors in meaningful ways.
This season, he’s looking forward to networking with project partners and expanding his knowledge of chainsaws and project logistics in both learning and teaching capacities.
When Tadgh isn’t working, he’s playing guitar, roller skating, hiking, thrifting, or exploring new areas.
▪️Hitch Necessity: Cinnamon toothpicks
▪️Favorite Hitch Meal: Homemade Crunchwraps
We hope you have a great season, Tadgh!
@t_mckave
Give it up for one of the best birders in the Logan office.....🥁
Kylee is back in the Logan office for a Crew Leader season after her Crew Member term last summer and fall. After graduating college, she joined UCC to gain conservation experience that would help her pursue a career in land management. She has always been extremely passionate about conservation, and wants to make a difference in protecting and conserving our natural lands.
This season, she’s looking forward to exploring more of Utah, or wherever her hitches take her! She loves working with chainsaws and cutting down big Russian olives. During her days off Kylee likes to go hiking, birding, skiing, and paddle boarding.
Hitch Necessity: Binoculars
Hitch meal: Loaded mac and cheese
Thanks for coming back, Kylee! We hope you see come cool birds this season.
@kyleefillinger
Despite the snow, rain, and high winds, our members accomplished 4.44 acres of fuels reduction! 💪
Thinning this dense stand of juniper trees and trimming their branches can lower the danger of potential wildfires. The low branches act as ladder fuels, making it easier for flames to reach the canopy.
Thanks for all of your hard work! You are improving the safety of this area for the local residents, land users, and ecosystem.
#25yearsofucc #americorps #userveutah #fuelsreduction #wildfiremitigation
Our pal Mal is joining the Logan Office from Southern Oregon for his first season with UCC! Mal came to UCC to further his career in conservation and gain better fuels reduction experience.
This season he’s excited for chainsaw and crosscut work, and projects focusing on propagation and planting. When Mal’s not working, he’s likely longboarding, snowboarding, hiking, or working on botanical illustrations.
▪️Hitch Necessity: Pocketknife or Leatherman (it comes in handy more often than you would think!)
▪️Hitch Meal: Walking tacos
We’re glad you’re here, Mal! Looking forward to seeing some of your botanical illustrations this season.
It’s World Migratory Bird Day!
Utah is a critical stopping point for birds migrating on the Central and Pacific Flyways. The 400,000 acres of lakes, wetlands, and waterways in Salt Lake City provide important habitat space for these traveling birds.
The work done by our crews to remove invasive vegetation surrounding these waterways restores habitat available for native wildlife, and the migratory birds!
How many birds can you identify? There are over 330 bird species that migrate across Utah each spring and fall, surely you can name a few! The Cornell Lab Migration Dashboard estimates over 11 million birds have flown across Utah since March 🤯
We’re all living on this planet together, get to know your neighbors – especially the ones with wings.
#worldmigratorybirdday #birding #pacificflyway #utahbirds #gobirds
Pump up the JAM! Give it up for another Moab Crew Leader 🥁🥁
Jessica (JAM) is joining us from Tennessee for her first season with UCC! She came to UCC to diversify her experience in the conservation world and explore the desert. JAM is excited to learn it all this season… rafting, sawing, seeding, and everything in between! During her off time, she enjoys hiking and reading.
Hitch Necessity: Stretch routine
Favorite Hitch Meal: Tuna Mac
Hidden Talent: Wildflower identification
We’re so glad to have you, JAM! We hope you have an awesome time in Moab.
@jess.a.m
Spring in Northern Utah = Phragmites Removal Season
This spring, UCC crews have removed over 75 acres of phragmites from the shorelines of Utah Lake, Great Salt Lake (Farmington Bay), and the Jordan River!
Though this work can be exhausting, removing phragmites can significantly improve the surrounding environment by restoring wetland habitat and improving access for recreation and rescue. Several seasons of treatment are required to effectively manage phragmites. Projects like these can only succeed through the collaboration of multiple organizations, and we're proud to be a part of these efforts!
Our crews join the generations of UCC alumni that have endured Utah's harsh spring weather while operating brush cutters for 8 days and navigating marshy, rocky, terrain to access the stands of phragmites that marsh masters can't reach.
Alumni, show some love to our members in the comments for making it through a season of brush cutting! 👏
#americorps #userveutah #thecorpsnetwork #phragmitesremoval #habitatrestoration #conservation #greatsaltlake #uccfieldcrews #serveoutdoors
The Force is strong with this FLT 😎
Leigha is a Field Logistics Technician based out of the Logan office. Originally from Rowlett, TX, she was a UCC Crew Member last summer, and a Crew Leader last fall. Before joining UCC she served a member season with Maine CC and did lots of rock work. Leigha studied Environmental Studies and Geography Resources in college and is passionate about field work and doing her part in conservation.
She’s looking forward to learning more about chainsaw maintenance and operation this season. During her days off, Leigha enjoys exploring different cities and hiking in new places.
▪️Hitch Necessity: Headphones and knitting supplies
▪️Favorite Hitch meal: Chicken gyros
May the 4th be with you, Leigha!
@l_carson17
We’re excited to introduce another Crew Leader as we kick off the weekend, and count down the days until we meet our new Crew Members (1 month to go!) ☀️
Originally from West Valley, UT, Evelyn is back in Moab after serving a Crew Member season last summer and fall! She studied Outdoor Recreation: Parks & Tourism in college and joined UCC to give back to nature and her community.
This year, she’s looking forward to working on the river, chainsawing, and building BDAs. When she’s not on hitch, Evelyn loves junk journaling, hiking, climbing, and running away to the mountains in early spring to go snowboarding. She makes really cool stuff with beads, if you’re lucky maybe she’ll make you a lizard for your backpack!
▪️Hitch Necessity: Pony beads and making beaded lizards
▪️Hitch meal: Red sauce pasta
We hope you have a great season, Evelyn!
@natureevs
We're happy to introduce a returning UCC’er that truly needs no introduction…. 🥁
Lucky is originally from Galax, VA and was a Cedar City Crew Leader in 2023.
Best kept in their own words,
⭐ Reason for joining: My first job was in the Yellowstone YCC, it changed me from a shy, incredibly unconfident, and depressed individual into the strong, vibrant person I am today. I’ve worked in the conservation and outdoor guiding industry since and want to continue to create an environment where folks can experience confidence-building and life changing work. The outdoors are for all, and I love mentoring folks in the work we do.
⭐ Looking forward to: When I was a lead my crew mostly worked on fencing and those projects feel like home so I’ll definitely jump in on any I can. I also love hitting flow state sharpening chain and fixing saws at our shop.
⭐ In his off-time: I sew A LOT, whether it’s making something new, upcycling, or repairing my work pants again I always have a few projects going at once. I’m also a big Dungeons & Dragons nerd and am hoping to have a campaign going soon on my days off.
▪️Hitch necessity: I have a 230-liter duffel bag. I fit inside it. Some people may think it’s overkill, but it holds literally all of my gear and lets me bring a full-sized pillow on hitch so the haters can stay hating.
Also at least 3 pairs of Pit Vipers are with me at any given time.
▪️Favorite Hitch Meal: I make a bean and sausage stew with dumplings that packs so much protein and calories, and it tastes delicious.
Let’s hear it for Lucky! We hope you have a great season.
@dirtyriverhippie
Last week, a UCC Crew helped improve irrigation and mitigate vole damage at more than 5 acres of the Capitol Reef Historic Orchards. With limited water in the area, defining irrigation ditches can help use resources efficiently and bring a reliable flow of water to each tree.
Fruit trees have grown in these orchards for more than a century, and this work helps ensure these trees thrive for years to come. UCC Crews have been helping @capitolreefnps staff with the care of these orchards for many seasons, and we are looking forward to more collaboration in the future!
#americorps #userveutah #capitolreefnationalpark #conservation #uccfieldcrews
