Crew Partners
We can collaborate with project sponsors seeking to apply for grants and/or other funding to cover crew and material costs for your project.
WisCorps’ Responsibilities
A WisCorps crew consists of 1-2 crew leaders and 3-4 crew members. Our Crew Leaders will oversee the crew. However, a site supervisor and contact are required throughout the project.
WisCorps Provides:
- Basic tools for trail, carpentry, and forestry projects.
- Chainsaws and brush saws.
- Crew transportation, which includes the vehicle and gasoline.
- Transportation needs vary per project and must be discussed prior to the contract agreement, allowing for adequate planning and preparation.
- Liability and worker’s compensation for crews during the project.
Partners Provide:
- All project material costs, including lumber, herbicide, etc.
- A discussion of project materials is required before any contract is signed.
- Technical oversight and support as required for each project.
- Guidance of the project with a minimum of two visits per week.
- Funding to cover 75% of the total cost of the crew.
- Crew lodging accommodations near your project site. These accommodations can range from primitive campsites to rental houses or dormitories. If your agency is unable to arrange housing, please inform us so that we can work together to make the necessary arrangements.
How much does it cost to hire a WisCorps crew?
Generally, 50% of the total project cost must be provided upfront to cover a portion of the crew cost for field services. Cost-shares range from $6,500 to $7,000 per week of fieldwork.
If this invoicing method doesn’t suit your agency, please inform us so we can explore other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The 2025 Field Season Dates? +-
SUMMER SESSION
- 4/28 – 5/26/25 – Leader Training
- 5/27 – 5/30/25– Member Training
- 5/31 & 6/1/25 – Drive Day to Project
- 6/2 – 8/13 – SUMMER PROJECTS!
- 8/14/25 – Drive Day to La Crosse
- 8/15/25 – Member Graduation
- 8/16 – 8/20/25 – Leader Derig Days
*** PROGRAM BREAK ***
FALL SESSION
- 9/8 – 9/12/25– Member Training
- 9/13 & 9/14/25 – Drive Day to Project
- 9/15 – 11/12 – FALL PROJECTS!
- 11/13/25 – Drive Day to La Crosse
- 11/14/25 – Member Graduation
- 11/15 – 1/19/25 – Leader Derig Days
How Far Does WisCorps Design and or Contract Projects? +-
WisCorps’ crew calendar is constantly changing. Some project partners request specific weeks during the summer or fall, while others, known as “anchors,” have a defined timeframe for their projects. In general, larger projects require WisCorps staff to plan further in advance. Typically, WisCorps aims to finalize crew projects at least six months in advance, with executed contracts usually completed three months or more prior to the start of the project.
What Types of Projects Do We Complete? +-
- Habitat restoration
- Trail construction and maintenance (including multi-use and mountain bike)
- Boardwalk trail installation
- Dry stone masonry (“rock work”)
- Reforestation / Planting
- Forest thinning (“fuels reduction”)
- Plant identification
- Fencing
- Invasive species removal & treatment
- Historic preservation
What Skills Do The Crews Come With? +-
Crew Leaders must have prior outdoor experience before joining WisCorps. During our onboarding and training process, leaders participate in a two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR course. After this, they proceed to obtain Wisconsin herbicide and pesticide certifications and licensing. Leaders also complete a three-day chainsaw safety course recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR), though it is not equivalent to the national USFS S-212 certification. We’re working on obtaining that certification in the future! Leaders are trained in basic bucking and felling techniques, but their skills are generally limited to what you would consider Class A.
Our full-time staff possess advanced skill sets and are dispatched to support our crews when necessary and within budget. WisCorps staff conduct in-house trails and tools training, vehicle training, and more.
Crew members undergo three- or four-day condensed hands-on training. This process is fast, as most of their field skills and development occur while they are in the field.
What Does WisCorps Provide (continued)? +-
A crew consists of 1-2 AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and 3-4 AmeriCorps Crew Members. Our weekly rate includes pre-project staff site visits, crew time and services, vehicle and trailer, equipment and tools, crew food, insurance, and more.
Equipment
- WisCorps provides its own trail tool sets and herbicide equipment to crews. This includes the standard trail equipment, as well as backpack sprayers, hand sprayers, and dabbers. We supply our own personal protective equipment (PPE) but do not store chemicals. Therefore, we ask our project partners to provide chemicals as needed for specific projects. Each five-person crew is also equipped with two chainsaws and all necessary PPE. Brush saws can be issued when required.
Vehicle
- WisCorps crews use a 1/2 or 3/4-ton, six-seater, four-wheel-drive pickup truck and tow a medium-sized enclosed trailer.
What Are Acceptable Forms of Housing/Camping/Lodging Crew Accommodations? +-
Crew accommodations can take many forms. Sometimes, they are primitive campgrounds; other times, they are state park campsites. Our crews are even welcomed into a few residential and or rental houses, especially after November 1st, because this is when WisCorps’ Crew Program requires its project partners to provide indoor housing. About 25% of project partners want to avoid reserving and managing crew lodging and would instead like to focus on their project. That’s fine; WisCorps would add a housing line-item expense to the agreement. Think $1k per week or $150/night.
How Often Do Project Partner Partners Need To Be Onsite? +-
It is quite common for our project partners and staff to work alongside our teams. While this daily-style of collaboration is optional, WisCorps requires partners to visit the crew at least twice a week as a baseline. For projects that are more technical or have specific expectations, we typically observe an increase in on-the-ground collaboration with project partners.
Ready to Partner?
If you’re ready to become a partner, reach out to Eric Robertson, Director of WisCorps.