Del Norte County, CA

Sierra Service Project is well known throughout Del Norte County for the home repair and community service work done by our volunteers. With only 28,000 residents, SSP volunteers have had a big impact in this beautiful and very rural area since 2013, and previously in the 1990s. We work with residents and organizations in the coastal towns of Smith River, Fort Dick, and Crescent City as well as, at times, inland in Hiouchi and Gasquet. Because Del Norte County’s poverty rate is more than 20 percent and is one of the poorest counties in the State, we work with the entire community, including some families who are tribal members.

In Del Norte County, the majority of our work is locally led in partnership with community-based organizations, although some projects will focus on typical SSP home repairs such as ramps, stairs, and painting. Since 2014, we have worked closely with the Tolowa Dunes Stewards to host full-group service-learning days, removing invasive European beach grass and English ivy. Starting in 2022, SSP developed a robust relationship with Redwoods National & State Parks and Elk Valley Rancheria, and continued partnerships with other community-based organizations across the county.

Service Work in Del Norte County

In Del Norte County, the majority of our work is locally led in partnership with community-based organizations, although some projects will focus on typical SSP home repairs such as ramps, porches, stairs, awnings, painting and other general home repairs. No construction experience is needed, and you’ll be amazed at all of the work that your youth teams complete! Most projects take longer to complete than your week at SSP so you may see the beginning, middle or end of a project.

Community-Based Projects

We are thrilled for the community partnership opportunities arising for SSP’s summer program this year! 

Volunteers will rotate through community-based projects, many of which have an environmental focus. These include forest thinning and blackberry bush removal with Elk Valley Rancheria, invasive species removal with the Tolowa Dunes Stewards, and working in the community gardens across Del Norte County. So many enthusiastic partners make for a robust service-learning experience for volunteers!

In 2022, volunteers worked with 13 community partners and built an accessible ramp for a local resident:

• Elk Valley Rancheria (invasive removal & garden)
• Yurok Food Sovereignty Program
• Tolowa Dee-ni’ Head Start (ramp)
• Tolowa Dunes Stewards (ivy removal, and 6 full group work days removing European beach grass)
• Bess Maxwell Elementary School garden
• Crescent Elk Middle School garden
• College of the Redwoods Food Forest
• Open Door Community Health Center garden
• First 5 (paint & garden)
• Redwood National & State Parks (4 full group work days)
• St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (paint)
• Crescent City United Methodist Church garden
• Randy Hatfield Disc Golf Course

Community Partners

• Elk Valley Rancheria
• Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation
• Tolowa Dunes Stewards
• Redwood National and State Parks
• Family Resource Center of the Redwoods
• Del Norte County Community Health Center Garden
• College of the Redwoods’ Food Forest

Adventure Day

Each week the full group volunteers with Tolowa Dunes Stewards on Adventure Day removing invasive European beach grass which threatens the livelihood of native plants and animals. Youth learn about biodiversity and the importance of habitat for bees and other pollinators for the food system.

The day begins with a a one mile hike to the Tolowa Dunes State Park. Teams are encouraged to dig up the longest root (think 6 feet long!) and to make the largest pile of grass. The day is complete with lunch on the beach before heading to the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park for the afternoon to swim in the Smith River, hike to Stout Grove, and BBQ.

Learn About Del Norte County

Download the detailed SSP Del Norte County Study Guide to learn about the community and get more out of your SSP experience. We suggest that you download the study guide, share with your group and discuss the materials during a planning meeting.

Follow local news: Del Norte Triplicate

• See SSP on the front page.

Navajo Nation | Del Norte County | Sacramento