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The Southwest Conservation Corps crew, work to replace large stones to create a safer walking path on the steep switchbacks of the Bear Trail located behind the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy. The crew, made up of local Native youth, renovated this area of the path for multiple days during their visit and removed invasive plant species.
In collaboration with Environmental Programs Department, a Native youth group from the Southwest Conservation Corps visited the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for a five day working trip to aid the tribe in a trail cleaning project. The crew focused on renovating the Bear Trail switchbacks but also worked to remove invasive plants from the Pine River trail as well, creating a safer walking environment for the community who utilize these paths daily.
A group of Native youth from the Southwest Conservation Corps, check the stabilization of the large stones used to form a safer path on the Bear Trail switchbacks on Tuesday, June 16.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
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Local Native youth aid Bear Trail

Friday - June 26, 2026 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum

EPD collabs with the Southwest Conservation Corps 

 The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), a non-profit organization, visited the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 16, to remove invasive weeds and plants from the Pine River Trail while also making repairs to the switchbacks on the Bear Trail. Working in collaboration with the Environmental Programs Department (EPD), the group of local Native youth from the Four Corners area worked for five days to repair the paths – SCC operates conservation service programs across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico that engage youth, young adults, and veterans on public lands.  

SCC and staff from the Four Corners area traveled to Ignacio, Colo., to aid in clearing parts of the Pine River Trail and renovating the switchbacks on the Bear Trail located behind the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy. For five days, the youth group worked to remove invasive plant species, extract weeds, and configured a water drainage system to prevent any future erosion of the Bear Trail.  

The SCC is a program of Conservation Legacy that was founded in 1998 to continue legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s. The SCC provides youth, young adults, and veterans with structured, safe, challenging service, and educational opportunities through projects that promote personal growth, the development of social skills, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship.  

The group who spent time on the Southern Ute reservation was compiled of local Native high school students representing the Diné (Navajo) and Ute Mountain Ute nations. Through SCC, the students serve their communities and surrounding areas while earning a wage for 32-40 hours worked per week. There are two work sessions that span throughout the summer season.  

Part one, see issue no. 14 on July, 10 for more.

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