Saturday, September 27, 2014

Glacier Youth Conservation Corps Introduces Youth to Diverse Park Programs

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, a volunteer partnership program supported by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Montana Conservation Corps, National Park Foundation, and Glacier National Park, provides diverse work and educational opportunities for youth ages 15-24 in Glacier National Park while supporting the completion of important park projects.

The program began last summer, exposing current Montana Conservation Corps crew members to a wide range of career paths at Glacier National Park through immersive projects across several park divisions. Projects include trail maintenance, citizen science data collection, native plant restoration, historic structure maintenance, noxious weed control, and backcountry shelter repair. Youth involved with this program have the opportunity to learn new skills and work alongside staff from the park’s fire management office, maintenance crews, and the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center.

Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said, “Glacier National Park contains a diverse body of skilled employees, and this program provides a unique opportunity to work within a variety of park divisions. The participants gain varied skill sets, and the park is able to complete significant projects. It is a mutually beneficial program.”

One of the participants with the age 18-24 group said, "People think we're afraid to work, that we are the lost generation, the failure to launch generation, but we work hard every day. This is our public service that gives us a sense of purpose, it makes a difference to Glacier National Park, and for us. It is about leadership and watching your team form to do things we did not think possible when we first came in."

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership is currently a 2-year pilot program. Due to the generosity of many donors, the Glacier National Park Conservancy was able to contribute $55,000 to fund the first year of the program. The National Park Foundation awarded the program a matching grant of $55,000 to fund the second year. Future funding availability and continued interest from involved partners will determine the program’s longevity.

For more information on the Montana Conservation Corps, please click here.

For more information about the Glacier Youth Corps Partnership please contact Glacier National Park’s Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Kusky at 406-888-7851, or the Glacier National Park Conservancy at 406-892-3250. For more information about volunteering in Glacier National Park, please click here.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

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