Charter students create ‘dirt magic’ with SBTS

Charter students create ‘dirt magic’ with SBTS
Posted on 11/10/2021
Alex Terry from SBTS gives students a safety briefing. Photo by Courtney Gomola

Every fall and spring for the past six years, seventh through twelfth grade students at Plumas Charter School create dirt magic with Sierra Butte Trail Stewardship. SBTS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation and enhancement of recreational trails in Tahoe, Plumas and Lassen National Forest. Their long-range vision is to connect fifteen mountain communities by trails for recreation.

 PCS is led by Outdoor Education Coordinator, Courtney Gomola in this partnership. Most recently, students finished up a new trail extension on south park that connects to the cascades trail and the platform trail. “Often we have a whole grade out with us,” said Gomola. Not afraid of a little hard work, students perform the manual labor of grooming trials during work days. “SBTS identifies trails that are most appropriate for us to work on based on location, trail condition, student numbers, soil conditions, etc. We’ve been lucky to work on rehabbing established trails as well as scouting and then building completely new ones,” said Gomola. 

SBTS works with as many schools as they can in Plumas County and community members are encouraged to participate as well. Volunteers bring their own water, lunch, work gloves and positive attitudes and SBTS provides tools, snacks and refreshments to enjoy at the end of the accomplished day.  If you are an outdoor enthusiast interested in getting together for a day of moving dirt to create trails; visit www.sierratrails.org for more information.

Plumas Charter School operates learning centers in Quincy, Chester and Taylorsville. Learn more at plumascharterschool.org

By Rachel Goings, Public Relations Specialist

[email protected]


______________________________________________________
In the photo: Alex Terry from SBTS gives students a safety briefing. Photo by Courtney Gomola