Del Norte County, CA

We have partnered with communities in Del Norte County since 2013, and previously in the 1990s. We work with the Del Norte County Senior Center, Open Door Health Clinic, and Sutter Home Health to get the word out to seniors who are in need of repairs to improve the safety of their home. There are limited, if any, organizations that provide home repairs like SSP offers within the County. Almost 20% of residents in Del Norte County are 65 and older, higher than California’s average. Explore Census data for Del Norte County.

Since 2014, we have worked closely with the Tolowa Dunes Stewards to host environmental restoration projects. These full-group service-learning days focus on removing invasive European beach grass, while on other days some work teams remove invasive English ivy. 

In Del Norte County, most of our work is locally led in partnership with community-based organizations with an environmental stewardship lens. However, some projects will focus on typical SSP repair projects such as accessibility ramps, stairs, and painting.

Service Work in Del Norte County

In Del Norte County, most of our work is locally led in partnership with community-based organizations with an environmental stewardship lens. We work with many community garden partners to improve access to nutritious produce. As grant funding for building materials is available, some projects will focus on typical SSP repairs such as ramps, stairs, and painting. 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. These include 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!

2024 Project Recap

Last summer 260 volunteers completed 11 home repair projects for tribal members throughout the county from Smith River to Klamath:

• 3 sets of stairs
• 3 railing repairs
• 2 exterior paint projects
• Porch
• Accessibility ramp
• Wood storage shed

Youth and adults also contributed to 9 community-based projects at 5 community gardens, Redwood Parks Conservancy, and our host Crescent City United Methodist Church.

We celebrated the 10th anniversary of our partnership with the Tolowa Dunes Stewards! Over 2,700 SSP volunteers have invested time in restoring the native ecosystem by removing invasive European beach grass, which the Stewards estimate is valued at over $250,000. We expanded our partnership in 2023 to include removing invasive English ivy in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Community Partners

• Tolowa Dunes Stewards
• Redwood Parks Conservancy
• Family Resource Center of the Redwoods
• Del Norte County Community Health Center Garden

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 at the Redwood Voice, an “autonomously youth-led media organization designed to empower youth in Del Norte and Tribal Lands through amplifying their voices using media productions. We believe the first step in changing the narratives of our community is to tell the untold stories and raise the voices that are not heard through traditional communication outlets.”

Recent articles that mention SSP:

• Tolowa Dunes Stewards Director Credits Volunteer Work, Whale Tail Grant, For Successful Snowy Plover Nests (July 10, 2024)
• Smith River Alliance cleans up before and after July 4 holiday (July 19, 2022)

San Diego | Del Norte County