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Osseo resident completes Conservation Corps service

Osseo resident completes Conservation Corps service

Cathi Fouchi, a Minnesota DNR natural resource planner, served in the former Minnesota Conservation Corps in 1984 when it was a program of the DNR. She remembers her experience fondly. “The first few weeks I was loaned out to The Nature Conservancy on a prescribed burning crew. We burned some beautiful prairie areas,” says Fouchi, who served in Bemidji. “One was a night time burn.The site of the prairie burning towards our line is something that I will remember forever. I could easily imagine what early settlers must have thought when they first saw something like that.”

Fouchi went on to work for the DNR in various capacities including wildlife technician, assistant wildlife manager, wildlife program coordinator and watershed coordinator. She says her time with the Corps helped develop her career. “I gained and improved valuable skills … team work and prescribed burning … which were useful in life”

Summer Youth Corps members and local volunteers cleaned up a beautiful section of St. Croix Valley in Afton State Park on Saturday, July 24. In the park’s beach and fishing pier area, about 20 youth and volunteers pulled plants, shrubs and small trees that had encroached on the rocky banks. In three hours the work was complete, opening a clear vista of the river for park visitors. The beautification project was made possible by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, which also supports youth participants from the St. Croix Valley. Pictured above: “It was a wonderful opportunity! I'll for sure volunteer again,” said Stephanie Zweber of Stillwater, working alongside Summer Youth Corps member Amanda Anderson. Stephanie had never heard of the Conservation Corps until her high school counselor suggested she volunteer. “It’s nice to be doing something over the summer. I’d probably still be sleeping if it was just a normal day.”

Pictured at left: Kurt Neuburger, an employee of Andersen Windows in Bayport, sits alongside large piles of vegetation that volunteers and Conservation Corps Minnesota members cleared from the rocky riverbank at Afton State Park. Kurt spotted the volunteer opportunity on his employer’s website and decided to devote his morning helping to improving Afton State Park where his family was camping for the weekend. Kurt has camped in most of Minnesota’s state parks." I had a blast helping out. Spending a few hours with a fun group of kids in nature can hardly be called work!"

Alumni, where are they now?
Cathi Fouchi, a Minnesota DNR natural resource planner, served in the former Minnesota Conservation Corps in 1984 when it was a program of the DNR. She remembers her experience fondly. “The first few weeks I was loaned out to The Nature Conservancy on a prescribed burning crew. We burned some beautiful prairie areas,” says Fouchi, who served in Bemidji. “One was a night time burn.The site of the prairie burning towards our line is something that I will remember forever. I could easily imagine what early settlers must have thought when they first saw something like that.”

Fouchi went on to work for the DNR in various capacities including wildlife technician, assistant wildlife manager, wildlife program coordinator and watershed coordinator. She says her time with the Corps helped develop her career. “I gained and improved valuable skills … team work and prescribed burning … which were useful in life”

Youth Outdoors welcomes a new VISTA
Allison Quinn joined Conservation Corps Minnesota in July as the Youth Outdoors AmeriCorps VISTA. She replaces Gabrielle Grier, the 2009-2010 Youth Outdoors VISTA. Thank you Gabrielle for your work this past year!

Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in communications studies from Iowa State University. She is currently training for Grandma’s marathon and enjoys volunteering for the American Red Cross as the “Be Safe Bear” and at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade store serving artisans from across the world.

Upcoming Events

Volunteer at the Minnesota State Fair
The calendar is filling up, so contact us soon if you would like to volunteer for a 3 1/2 hour shift at the Minnesota State Fair. Volunteers receive a State Fair entrance ticket and Blue Ribbon Bargain Book (with $500 in discount coupons) The Conservation Corps Minnesota booth is on the south side of the DNR building, near the fish pond and in eyeshot of the DNR main stage with acts from bird calling to blue grass. Shifts start at 9 a.m., 12:30 and 4 p.m. The 12-day fair runs August 26 – September 6. To sign up, contact Emily.Groshens@conservationcorps.org, 651.209.9900 ext 25. See you at the fair!

Youth Corps members to perform at State Fair
On Tuesday, August 31^st at 5 o’clock Summer Youth Corps participants will share their experiences of this past summer on the DNR stage. Come see several skits performed by our newest alumni featuring American Sign Language and a workday in the life of a summer corps member. Bring your friends and family to show what life was like for you for those 8 weeks or come support your favorite organization. Performance is free with state fair admission.

The DNR stage is across from the fish pond right next to the DNR building and faces our Conservation Corps booth.
 
Celebrate 75-plus years of Conservation Corps
Conservation Corps Minnesota will hold its first Alumni & Friends event in conjunction with the CCC fall picnic on September 11, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Phalen Park Pavilion in Saint Paul. Join us for good food, hammer-schlagen, rock climbing, ring toss, campfire storytelling, entertainment, a volunteer event to restore the park’s native habitat and other fun activities for all ages. If you would like to help, contact Emily.Groshens@conservationcorps.org or (651) 209-9900 ext. 26. Save the date and bring your cherished memories!