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2715 Upper Afton Road, Ste 100
Maplewood, MN 55119
(651) 209-9900
info@conservationcorps.org
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| MCC Provides Flood Relief |
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 After floods devastated the Southeastern region of Minnesota, MCC crews were there helping pick up the pieces. Corpsmembers began the flood recovery process in Winona, Houston and Fillmore Counties on August 21st, and will continue to assist in cleaning up the damage. Recovery projects have ranged from helping homeowners dispose of damaged items, removing hazardous trees, repairing flood control/retention structures, clearing forestry roads and removing mud from basements (pictured).
Metro Roving was one of six crews helping with relief efforts. During the last week of August, they were able to help farmers repair existing fencing and add new fencing to contain livestock. Crewleader Lauren Vilen explained the situation, “In some places, the owners of these farms would never have been able to fix these fences on their own. There were cattle everywhere! The farm owners really appreciated our help.”
Emergency response work is an important part of MCC’s mission and is an opportunity for Corpsmembers to make a difference. In the Southeast, crews have already contributed 1,670 hours to flood recovery, and are committed to completing another 960 hours in the future.
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| Crews Prepare New Park Land in Nebraska |
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In early August Southern Minnesota young adult crews traveled to St. Helena in northeastern Nebraska as a part of a large Eastern Red Cedars removal project. 12 MCC corpsmembers worked for six days removing the native yet invasive Cedars from the Bow Creek Recreation Area. Bow Creek was recently acquired by the National Park Service (NPS), and was in need of major restoration work before it could be enjoyed by recreationalists.
 MCC’s Pipestone, Windom and Rochester Oaks crews joined the NPS Northern Great Plains Exotic Plant Management Team in removing 13,281 Eastern Red Cedars. According to MCC Southern District Manager Doug Ekstrom, "The project was challenged by less than desirable weather conditions of high temperatures and humidity, but the MCC crews were pleased to be a part of a 25 person effort that made a huge impact towards restoring the natural heritage of the Bow Creek area."
The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a species native to the region. These trees, which were once controlled by flood and fire, now grow wildly throughout Bow Creek Recreation Area. The removal of these trees will allow for the prairie ecosystem to return to its natural state.
Helping control the Eastern Red Cedar in partnership with the NPS proved to be a great experience. "National Park staff has expressed an interest in using MCC crews for future projects,” Doug explained, “they were impressed by the safe and efficient manner with which our crews operated."
MCC would like to thank the National Park Service as well as the Northern Great Plains Exotic Plant Management Team for including us in this important project. We hope to collaborate further in the future.
Photo coutesy of Quadell.
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| Karen Bowen Elected as New Chair |
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 MCC is happy to announce the new board chair, Karen Bowen. Her leadership and dedication to our organization makes her a great fit for this position. Karen has 20 years of work experience with the DNR, eight of which she served as Assistant Commissioner in the Perpich administration. Karen has also worked with the Three Rivers Park District as the Director of Operations.
During her time with the DNR, Karen oversaw MCC and its programming. "It's a huge honor to chair the MCC Board of Directors and help to lead a program I've known and respected for more than two decades. The past few years have been a time of tremendous growth for us as we've broken administrative ties with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and traveled a new, independent road.”
Karen has a strong belief in MCC’s mission and hopes to further support the program. “Having the opportunity to shape the lives of amazing young men and women is both a thrill and an awesome responsibility. I look forward to working with staff and members of the Board to advance our mission and our accomplishments."
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| Join the Corps! |
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 Join Minnesota Conservation Corps as a Young Adult Corpsmember. Apply now!
Spend a year working outside and conserving Minnesota’s natural resources. Work with a crew of peers on technical projects. Use a chainsaw. Fight wildland fires and participate in prescribed burns. Camp at worksites across Minnesota. Gain technical skills and professional certifications. Earn a monthly stipend and AmeriCorps Education Award.
MCC is currently accepting applications for next program year
Crew Leader: January 28 - December 18, 2008
Crew Member: February 13 - December 18, 2008
Learn more about MCC’s Young Adult Program and download an application at:
http://www.conservationcorps.org/youngadult.htm
Submit completed applications to: email:recruit@conservationcorps.org
fax: 651.209.9901
mail: Minnesota Conservation Corps
2715 Upper Afton Rd, Suite 100
Maplewood, MN 55119
Crew Leader applications are due November 19th, Crewmember applications are due December 14th.
Contact Candice McElroy, Program Associate,
with questions: 651.209.9900 x 24 or candice.mcelroy@conservationcorps.org
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The Northwoods crew has had an eventful year so far working on projects ranging from the Camp Rabideau Renovation Project to river clean ups with canoes. A project highlight was the creation of four sets of stairs at Norway Beach off of Cass Lake. Another favorite was helping suppress fires for ten days in Grygla and ten days in Side Lake.
The New Ulm crew has also been busy this year working on prescribed burns, footbridge construction, exotic species removal, timber stand improvement and over 500 hours of bird banding. Crew members also had extensive involvement in fire suppression on the Mineral Ridge Fire in Clay County near Aiken.
Welcome to New Staff
Cindy Green
Development Director
Katie Johnson
Administrative Associate
Katie Clower
Youth Development VISTA
Congratulations Eric!
Eric Antonson has accepted the position as MCC's Youth Programs Manager after one year as Youth Program Coordinator and almost five years with the Summer Youth Program.
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Alumni Question
of the Month
What is Minnesota's state gemstone?
The winners of this challenge will be entered into a drawing to win a prize!
Submit your answer to alumni@conservationcorps.org
The answer to August's question is the shores of Lake Superior. Congratulations to Sarah Wuorinen for the right answer.
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