Last updated: February 6, 2024
Article
A Trail of Impact: Youth Empowerment through Restoration at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
![Montana Conservation Corp at Buck Hill Trail Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) team members work on repairs to tread surface and erosion control features at stairs near the summit of Buck Hill trail](/articles/000/images/MontanaConservationCorp-at-BuckHilltrail.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS
With such funding, the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) partnered with the National Park Service this year by sending two impactful work groups to help breathe new life into Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Buck Hill Trail. From June 7 to June 13, the Spring crew replaced check steps, distributed cold mix, installed a concrete pad for an accessible bench, and added new garbage containers. The Fall team continued the legacy, tackling settled check steps, installing the accessible bench, spreading sealant, and enhancing the trail's beauty from the top of Buck Hill.
![Team members of MCC work to install trailside erosion control to preserve tread surface. Group of Trail Crew Members sit on the ground along steps while conducting erosion control work.](/articles/000/images/MontanaConservationCorp-TrailsideErosionControl.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS
While the park reaped the benefits of these transformations, the true magic happened within the MCC crews. For the first time, an all-female crew, hosted by the park, took the lead. Beyond learning trail work skills, these participants received invaluable training on career opportunities in the National Park Service. Their journey became more than a project—it became a steppingstone toward a purposeful career.
The MAT model, fueled by the GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund, is not just about dollars and projects; it's about investing in people. With more than $57 million dedicated through fiscal year 2023, MATs have completed more than 180 maintenance projects at 140 park units nationwide. This multifaceted approach not only addresses critical maintenance needs but also builds a diverse workforce for the future.
![Evidence of deterioration the work LRF, MCC and NPS were able to reverse with the success of projects such as the work at Buck Hill. Signs of trail deterioration include broken wooden trail supports.](/articles/000/images/TrailDamage.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS
![MCC Youth Corps members demonstrate the camaraderie at the site of buck Hill in front of the base of the trail to the summit. Trail crew members stand next to each other, smiling, posing in hardhats for a photograph.](/articles/000/images/MCC-Youth-Crew-members_smallergroup.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
NPS