For some students at Fort Lewis College, spring break is more than just a time to travel, party, and relax.

During Fort Lewis College’s spring break in March, six students participated in "Alternative Spring Break," doing service work and improving their professional skills in scenic Moab, Utah.

Organized by the Leadership Center and the Environmental Center, the students volunteered with Plateau Restoration, an educational adventure program, working on environmental restoration and conservation projects on damaged desert and riverside lands, while also learning about the issues associated with invasive plants.

Students also used their experiences to develop leadership skills important for new professionals coming out of college, including project management, collaboration, independent and team work, self-reflection, and social responsibility. Take a look:

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring BreakStudents from FLC with the Plateau Restoration staff. (l-r) Maeselle La Paz, Michael Smith (kneeling), Daniel Amerman, Rachel Giersch, Alysa Griffith (kneeling), Tom Pearce, Veronica Krupnick, Tamsin McCormick, and Yampa (dog)

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Restoring a former Canyonlands Field Institute site.

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Dead Horse Point State Park.

 Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Licking the 
salt rock.

 Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Manually drilling down to the water table to 
transplant willow stalks. 

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
At Jackson Bottom worksite in Moab, Utah.

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Ready to raft the Colorado River!

Fort Lewis College Alternative Spring Break
Standing under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

All photos courtesy of Patrick Fredricks, Leadership Programs Coordinator.