By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Now Podcast
Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts
Last week I sat down for what turned out to be one of the most inspiring interviews I’ve done in a long time—right from the heart of Taylorsville, CA, with Jonathan Kusel and Ariana Bernstein from the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment.
If you’ve never heard of the Sierra Institute, or their incredible P-CREW Youth Corps program, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.
I’ll be honest—this one hit home for me.
From Logging Town Roots to Forest Restoration
I grew up in a small logging town in Central Oregon. Every summer, us teens would head into the woods to work—pulling cones, burning slash piles, doing honest labor in the forest. It built character, sure—but more than that, it shaped how we saw the land.
So when I learned about P-CREW—a five-week wilderness immersion for high schoolers aged 16–18, run by the Sierra Institute—I immediately saw the parallels. But their program goes even deeper.
These kids aren’t just camping. They’re working alongside biologists, hydrologists, tribal leaders, and Forest Service professionals. They’re learning how fire shapes the landscape, how to build trails, how to steward watersheds that serve millions of people—including the entire Feather River Watershed, which supplies water to 27 million Californians.
“We pick them up at their school, take away their phones, and put tools in their hands,” Jonathan said. “And five weeks later, they come back different.”
What Happens When You Unplug and Step Outside
One of the stories that stuck with me came from Ariana Bernstein, who used to teach in Portola. She had a student who went through the P-CREW program one summer. When he came back in the fall, she barely recognized him—taller, tanner, more confident. A different kid.
And maybe that’s the magic: no phones, no distractions—just work, nature, and community.
I’ve done five days in the wilderness and worried whether my phone battery would make it for photos. These kids do five weeks unplugged. And they come back glowing.
After the Dixie Fire: Restoration, Resilience, and What’s Next
Of course, Plumas County has seen its share of hardship. The Dixie Fire, which tore through nearly a million acres, including the town of Greenville, has forever changed the landscape. But the Sierra Institute hasn’t shied away from the challenge.
They’ve pivoted, expanded, and doubled down—offering real restoration jobs, pushing fire-resistant housing materials like cross-laminated timber, and educating the next generation about prescribed burning, fuel reduction, and tribal knowledge that has been too long ignored.
“We’re showing these kids that not all fire is bad,” Adriana said. “We actually need more good fire.”
Why It Matters (and How You Can Help)
This episode reminded me that rebuilding the Sierra isn’t just about trails and trees—it’s about people. It’s about teaching youth that they belong on this land and have the power to care for it. And it’s about connecting our urban and rural communities in a way that builds understanding, resilience, and shared responsibility.
You don’t have to write a big check to support this work (although Sierra Institute is a nonprofit and gladly accepts donations!). Sometimes, it’s as simple as buying a shovel or funding a pair of gloves for a kid who’s ready to make a difference.
As I shared on the podcast: I once had a trail builder thank me for a $27 donation because it helped him buy a new shovel. And that shovel? It put real work into the hands of someone who cares.
🎧 LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW:
▶️ Watch on YouTube: Rebuilding Forests, Transforming Teens – Sierra Institute Interview
🎙️ Listen on Spotify: Sierra Rec Now Podcast – Episode with Sierra Institute
📱 Apple Podcasts: Sierra Rec Now – Sierra Institute Interview
Learn More & Get Involved
🌲 Sierra Institute Website: https://sierrainstitute.us
🛠️ P-CREW Youth Corps Info: P-CREW Program
💌 Subscribe to Their Newsletter: Stay in the loop with upcoming projects, volunteer events, and youth opportunities.
If you love the Sierra and care about its future, I hope you’ll give this episode a listen—and maybe even share it with someone who needs to hear it.
As always, be safe, be kind, and I’ll see you on the trail.
— Charlie
