Project Links
A comment period for this project closes
Feb 21, 2026:
Days, Hours, Min.
Days, Hours, Min.
Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area » Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is seeking public comments on its vision for rebuilding Whiskeytown Environmental School after the devastating megafire of 2018 and subsequent burn scar flooding.
The public comment period for the Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild Environmental Assessment is open from January 22, 2026, to February 21, 2026. During this time, the public may read the full environmental assessment and provide input at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WES_Rebuild
In addition to submitting input online, the public is welcome to participate in the public meeting scheduled for 12 to 2 pm on Saturday, February 7th at Hatcher Hall, located on the campus of Whiskeytown Environmental School.
'Whiskeytown Environmental School is an important part of the Shasta County community,' notes Park Superintendent Josh Hoines. 'We are excited to be moving the ball forward on this WES Rebuild and we invite public input in this process.'
The proposed action will allow for expanded educational programming at WES from daytime only to week-long overnight. Specifically, the cabins destroyed in 2018 by the Carr Fire as well as other features of the campus will be rebuilt and brought up to safety, health, and environmental code.
The residential outdoor school will use concrete building materials to the greatest extent possible and be made into a model of environmental sustainability and climate resilience deep into the 21st Century. Additionally, an administrative building including camp office at the entrance to the school will greatly enhance student safety and site security. Site flow and accessibility will also be improved.
The WES Rebuild culminates years of research and planning with park and community partners including the Shasta County Office of Education and the Whiskeytown Environmental School Community. The goal has been how best to restore the popular residential campus that has served over 137,000 Shasta County residents since its official opening back in 1971.
Ultimately, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area seeks this WES Rebuild project to: help grow new generations of park stewards; teach young people about science and scientific inquiry; enable local students to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world they are a part of; further increase local and national conservation and environmental protection efforts; and continue the legacy of learning at Whiskeytown Environmental School for the benefit of the larger community.
For questions, please contact the National Park Service Pacific West Region's Public Affairs Office at PWR_Public_Affairs@nps.gov
c/o WES Rebuild
P.O. Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA 96095
PWR_Public_Affairs@nps.gov
The public comment period for the Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild Environmental Assessment is open from January 22, 2026, to February 21, 2026. During this time, the public may read the full environmental assessment and provide input at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WES_Rebuild
In addition to submitting input online, the public is welcome to participate in the public meeting scheduled for 12 to 2 pm on Saturday, February 7th at Hatcher Hall, located on the campus of Whiskeytown Environmental School.
'Whiskeytown Environmental School is an important part of the Shasta County community,' notes Park Superintendent Josh Hoines. 'We are excited to be moving the ball forward on this WES Rebuild and we invite public input in this process.'
The proposed action will allow for expanded educational programming at WES from daytime only to week-long overnight. Specifically, the cabins destroyed in 2018 by the Carr Fire as well as other features of the campus will be rebuilt and brought up to safety, health, and environmental code.
The residential outdoor school will use concrete building materials to the greatest extent possible and be made into a model of environmental sustainability and climate resilience deep into the 21st Century. Additionally, an administrative building including camp office at the entrance to the school will greatly enhance student safety and site security. Site flow and accessibility will also be improved.
The WES Rebuild culminates years of research and planning with park and community partners including the Shasta County Office of Education and the Whiskeytown Environmental School Community. The goal has been how best to restore the popular residential campus that has served over 137,000 Shasta County residents since its official opening back in 1971.
Ultimately, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area seeks this WES Rebuild project to: help grow new generations of park stewards; teach young people about science and scientific inquiry; enable local students to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world they are a part of; further increase local and national conservation and environmental protection efforts; and continue the legacy of learning at Whiskeytown Environmental School for the benefit of the larger community.
For questions, please contact the National Park Service Pacific West Region's Public Affairs Office at PWR_Public_Affairs@nps.gov
Contact Information
Whiskeytown National Recreation Areac/o WES Rebuild
P.O. Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA 96095
PWR_Public_Affairs@nps.gov