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2715 Upper Afton Road, Ste 100
Maplewood, MN 55119
(651) 209-9900
info@conservationcorps.org
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| Grassland Restorations Create Dramatic Change |
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MCC crews from Pipestone, Windom, and New Ulm are assisting Pope County landowners in west-central Minnesota with grassland protection. This is a result of the Working Lands Initiative grant, used for the protection of grasslands in a 15 square mile area in Langhei Township between the cities of Benson and Starbuck.
 Directed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff, the MCC crews are removing invasive woody cover to protect the natural grassland ecosystems on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) tracts and pasture lands. The crews are cutting and removing biomass from the target areas and chemically treating the cut stumps where appropriate. The project site is unique, with remnant prairies that have never been tilled. This project enables MCC to learn more about the management of these delicate systems that have become too few and far between.
“We have seen a dramatic change in the three weeks the MCC crews have been working in our community. Native plants that weren’t able to thrive in the shade of the brush are responding with vigor,” said Mary Jo Forbord, Executive Director of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and a driving force behind the restoration efforts. “It’s been enjoyable and inspiring for us to have committed, hard-working young people in our community, and we are very grateful for their work.”
MCC would like to thank Mary Jo Forbord from the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota for her generosity in this project as well as all of the natural resource professionals that made this project possible.
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MCC Legislation Successful |
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 Each funding year, MCC works hard at the state capital to ensure financial support for our programs. This year was a great legislative session for MCC. Not only did we receive our base funding, but we also received additional funds for programming, stipends for deaf and hard of hearing youth, and wages for interpreters.
Another great outcome of this session was a partnership with the Board of Water and Soil Conservation (BWSR). MCC has been appropriated work with BWSR and looks forward to partnering with them to complete water quality related projects.
MCC would like to thank the Governor Tim Pawlenty,all of the Legislators who granted MCC this funding and all of the MCC supporters who contacted their Legislators.
Photo courtesy of MN House of Representatives Public Information Services
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| Summer Program Gearing Up |
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 The Summer Youth Program has hired 90 participants for the upcoming season, starting June 17th. Summer staff members will be coming on board at the end of May to prepare for an action packed season. The staff will have trainings for Wilderness First Aid, Deaf culture and American Sign Language, youth development, trail psychology, among others. They will also go on spike up the North Shore for four days to work hard, get dirty, and have fun.
Over 200 youth applied for the 90 spots in the summer program, and MCC is always looking for ways to support more youth in the program. You can help by sponsoring a summer youth participant. Contact Ashley Sierra to find out more.
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| Volunteer for the Summer Youth Program |
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The Summer Youth Program is seeking volunteers to help open St. John’s Landing for the 2007 season. Potential volunteer dates will be coordinated based on interest and availability. Currently we are planning on the weekend of May 26-27. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and agree to abide by MCC policies during the event.
This is a great opportunity to return to St. John’s Landing, meet up with old friends and make some new memories!! If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Eric Antonson at (651) 209-9900 ext. 27 or eric.antonson@conservationcorps.org.
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| Field Service Opportunities |
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The Young Adult Program is currently accepting applications for two seasonal, full-time, Trail Use Surveyors. The position runs from May 21st through September 6th and involves day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Central District is currently hiring two Crew Members to perform outdoor natural resource work in the Twin Cities from May 31st through December 13th.
Position Descriptions:
Paul Bunyan State Trail - Brainerd
Heartland State Trail - Bemidji or Park Rapids
Crew Member - St. Paul
APPLY TODAY! Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Call 651-209-9900 x 10 to request an application via mail.
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Three Rivers Crew
Front Row
Adam Frank, Christopher Schrofe
Back Row
Michael South, Tiffany Forner, and CL Dorian Hasselmann
The Three Rivers Crew spends most of their time at Crow-Hassan Nursery near Rogers harvesting plants, hand pruning seedling roots, and planting. The crew has also conducted large plantings near Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, completed a small prescribed burn at Crow-Hassan Park, and assisted students at Weaver Lake Elementary School in Maple Grove on their annual Planting Day. Crew Leader Dorian said, “I can speak for the entire crew … we have the greatest job. There is a great deal of variety.” He also said the crew has enjoyed getting to know the Three Rivers Park District staff.
Congratulations
Troy and Lacey !
MCC would like to congratulate our Eveleth Crew Leader Troy Korpi and Lacey on their new daughter Olivia!
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Alumni Question
of the Month
Can you unscramble
this MCC word?
silupak
All winning answers will enter a drawing for a great MCC prize!
Last month's answer:
Buckthorn
Congratulations Meghan Olson on guessing correctly!
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