TENNESSEE YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2008

PROJECTS ACROSS TENNESSEE OFFER YOUNG PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION AND DEVELOP NEW SKILLS

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Youth Conservation Corps is accepting applications from young people ages 16 to 24 for positions working in Tennessee State Parks and Natural Areas in June and July.

Proposed by Governor Phil Bredesen and approved by the General Assembly in 2006, the program is designed to engage young people with a hands-on conservation experience at State Parks and Natural Areas. The new program was created in the tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built parks and a range of public projects across the United States between 1933 and 1942.

“The Tennessee Youth Conservation Corps will help train our next generation of environmental stewards,” said Bredesen. “The program provides young people with on-the-job experience doing meaningful work in a variety of natural resource management and restoration projects on state-owned lands.”

Students who have an interest in protecting the natural resources of Tennessee and a desire to learn about resource management in State Parks and Natural Areas are encouraged to apply. The program is open to Tennessee residents who are high school or college students ages 16 to 24. Applicants should have dependable transportation, work well with others as part of a team and be able to participate in projects often conducted outdoors that may require manual labor or considerable physical activity.

“This program is about much more than simply earning a paycheck or accomplishing projects for our parks and natural areas,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “It’s an opportunity for young people to explore career options in conservation and learn new skills in an outdoor setting where teamwork and an appreciation for our natural environment are essential.”

Projects have been identified at parks and natural areas located in both urban and rural settings across the state. Typical projects will include native plant restoration and invasive plant removal, trail construction and maintenance and restoration of structures in historic areas. Educational programming will be included as part of the program. The work timeframe varies for each program project.

TYCC project sites for 2008 will include:

Applicants should apply directly to the TYCC project of their greatest interest. Project coordinators will be responsible for making the selection decisions for each TYCC crew. The application deadline is April 18.

To apply for the Tennessee Youth Conservation Corps, or to learn more about the program, visit the Web site at www.tnstateparks.com/tycc or call the TYCC Program Manager at (615) 574-5176.