Date: July 24, 9 am - 12 noon
Site: Afton State Park
Conservation Corps Minnesota is seeking volunteers to help youth crews wrap trees to protect them from deer, remove buckthorn and help restore Afton State Park’s native prairie, oak savanna and bluffs that overlook the scenic St. Croix River. Participants will learn about the park’s history and how invasive species and other predators have affected natural habitats. Tools and materials will be provided. A volunteer appreciation lunch will be held at 12 noon. The volunteer event is made possible by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation. Afton State Park is located south of Afton, Minn., off St. Croix Trail S. From St. Paul, go 9 miles east on I-94, then 7 miles south on Highway 95 (Manning Ave) and 3 miles east on 50th St S. Registered volunteers will receive a free day-use park pass. To register or for more information contact Eric Antonson at (651) 209-9900 ext. 11 or eric.antonson@conservationcorps.org.
Press Releases
Date: Saturday, June 5
Sites: River's Edge Academy, Hazel Park Recreation Center and
Hancock Recreation Center – all in Saint Paul
Saint Paul youth enrolled in Conservation Corps Minnesota’s afterschool Youth Outdoors program are preparing end-of-semester service projects to improve their neighborhoods. Youth Outdoors engages four crews of six youth and two leaders each who meet at four recreation centers and complete habitat restoration and neighborhood revitalization projects. Using skills they’ve gained through the semester, youth select, design and recruit volunteers to implement the events, which will be held at:
River’s Edge Academy: Youth based at the West Minnehaha Rec Center are organizing an environmental day at the Academy, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., open to the public. The event will include environmental displays, games and educational activities. Community groups are encouraged to host a display table. For more information contact Conservation Corps crew leaders at mcc.yo1@conservationcorps.org
Hazel Park Recreation Center: Youth will lead volunteers in building a rain garden, planted with native species, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Youth will also lead volunteers in picking up litter and planting flowers on the grounds to thank Hazel Park Rec Center for hosting them this spring. For more information contact Conservation Corps crew leaders at: mcc.yo2@conservationcorps.org
Hancock Recreation Center: Hancock and Phalen youth crews will join together to host an “Arts within the Community” event, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hancock Rec Center. The event, open to the public, will focus on biodiversity, pollution, trees and gardening. “Canvas,” a Saint Paul teen arts program, will participate with dancers and singers. For more information contact Conservation Corps crew leaders at: mcc.yo1@conservationcorps.org
Contact: Emily Groshens, Communications Associate
(651) 209-9900 x 26 or emily.groshens@conservationcorps.org
Date: Now though the end of June
Site: Temperance River State Park, Silver Bay, MN
Area between Highway 61 and Lake Superior
Conservation Corps crews will be upgrading the heavily-used Temperance River State Park trail system that gives park visitors access to the mouth of the Temperance River, the park’s upper campground and scenic overlooks. This project will include replacement of existing stairs with timber steps, safety rail additions and trail surface upgrading where needed.
Contact: Emily Groshens, Communications Associate
(651) 209-9900 x 26 or emily.groshens@conservationcorps.org
Date: May 10
Sites: Twin Cities area
Eight Conservation Corps youth crew leaders will be participating in the AmeriCorps Week May 10 kick-off event that features service projects around the state.
Service events are open to the public, including a Como Park storm drain stenciling project hosted by Friends of the Mississippi River. At YMCA Camp Iduhapi in Loretto, Minn., volunteers will turn unused land into a recreation area for visitors. AmeriCorps members will attend an open forum conference on Tuesday and service-learning activities will continue through the week. AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend for their 10-month service commitment, working in various capacities to serve communities throughout the state.
For more information or to volunteer for an AmeriCorps Week service project, email mcc.yo1@conservationcorps.org.
Date: Saturday, May 1, 9 am-11am
Site: Como Park, Saint Paul
Conservation Corps Youth Outdoors crews will lead volunteers in planting more than 1,000 native trees in Como Park in celebration of Arbor month on Saturday, May 1. This event, hosted by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation with funding from the Saint Paul Garden Club, starts at 9 a.m. along Hamline Avenue between Como and Canfield Avenues. All tools will be provided. Interested volunteers are asked to complete a pre-registration form that can be found at: www.stpaul.gov/parks/environment.
Crews construct 70 miles of ATV trails in Aitkin County
For crew locations: Joe Majerus, Aitkin County Forestry, (218) 927-7364
Project dates: August 11 - 13
Sites: Aitkin County
Minnesota Conservation Corps crews will construct a 70-mile extension to the current ATV trail system in Aitkin County, creating an attractive ATV destination within two hours of the Twin Cities and providing an economic boost to area communities. Working with the Aitkin County Land Department and Minnesota DNR, Conservation Corps crews will be sensitive to environmental issues and help prevent wetland degradation in construction areas. The crews are installing bridges and Geoblock, trail material made from recycled plastics that has been used to successfully minimize wetland damage in Alaska.
For crew locations: AJ Petersen, 218-838-3124
Project dates: July 13 – October 1
Sites: Pomme de Terre River near Morris, North Fork of the Crow River near Litchfield, Snake River near Pine City and Mora
Working from kayaks and canoes, Minnesota Conservation Corps crews are gathering scientific data in central Minnesota to determine if sections of waters are impaired, including the Pomme De Terre, Snake and North Fork of the Crow Rivers. Two crews of five young adults will work sections of the rivers to document pollutant and stressor sources, validate land use and gather geomorphic data. Conservation Corps crews are assisting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Minnesota Conservation Corps has partnered with Neighborhood Energy Connection in Saint Paul to launch a home-energy conservation program. The four-member Home Energy Squad is installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, exterior-door weather stripping, programmable thermostats, efficient showerheads, water-heater insulation blankets and faucet aerators. In the programs’ first six weeks, the squad worked in 70 homes, installed 2100 conservation measures and saved an estimated $10,500 on homeowners’ energy bills. By the end of the year, they expect to triple this savings. Besides reducing electricity and natural gas use, the measures reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and conserve resources.
Home Energy Squad members receive energy conservation, auditing and management training, which prepares them for green industry jobs. Currently Chris Vanecek, Kristi Knudson, Danielle Butenhoff, and Ben Rabe are serving one-year terms. The Conservation Corps is currently accepting applications for four more positions, serving January through December 2010.
NEC has provided custom energy consultations and conservation services for 24 years and serves thousands of homes annually. The organization also founded and manages the Twin Cities’ first car-sharing network, HOURCAR. More information is available at TheNEC.org.
On August 11, 12 and 13th Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) Moose Lake crews in partnership with the Aikin County Land Department and the Minnesota DNR will be constructing a 70 mile extension to the current ATV trail system, creating a meaningful ATV destination within 2 hours of the Twin Cities. The focus will be on sensitivity to environmental issues and providing an economic boost to small communities. MCC is especially instrumental in the work that will help prevent wetland degradation. The crews are installing bridges and Geoblock, a construction material made from recycled plastics that has been used to successfully minimize wetland damage in Alaska.
From July 13—October 1, 2009 Minnesota Conservation Corps Brainerd crews will be assisting the MN Pollution Control Agency with gathering scientific data in the Pomme De Terre River, Snake River and North Fork of the Crow River Watersheds. They will be documenting pollutant and stressor sources, doing land use validation, and gathering geomorphic data. This data will be used to assist in determining sites of impaired waters. For more information on where crews will be any given day please contact AJ Petersen 218-838-3124.
MCC, a nonprofit organization, provides hands-on environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities for youth and young adults. They accomplish conservation, natural-resource management and emergency response work throughout Minnesota and Iowa. MCC’s Young Adult Program is a 10-month service program for 18 to 25 year-olds. Corpsmembers receive technical and personal skills training, professional certifications and a living stipend. Those enrolled in AmeriCorps also receive educational awards of up to $4,725 to pay higher education or student loan expenses.
For more information on the Minnesota Conservation Corps programs visit www.conservationcorps.org
