Youth Conservation Corps accepting applications

The Lincoln County Resource Advisory Committee reviews locally submitted project proposals that either improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, or restore and improve land health and water quality.  

The objectives of the projects may include road, trail and infrastructure maintenance, soil productivity improvements, wildlife and fish habitat improvements and the control of noxious weeds.

Each Resource Advisory Committee consists of 15 people representing varied interests and areas of expertise. The group works collaboratively to improve working relationships among community members and national forest personnel. The Youth Conservation Corps program historically has been a popular project recommended by the Resource Advisory Committee, and was approved for summer 2014. This summer there will be additional funding and Libby Ranger District will be employing 10 crew members and one youth leader.

The 2013 Libby Ranger District’s Youth Conservation Corps crew members were Elly Webster, Holly Leggins, DJ Maefau, Kari Lindgren, Patrick Faulkner and crew leader Wilfred Johnson. The Youth Conservation Corps is funded through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.  

The program is unique due to the fact that the crew is picked from a random draw. The Forest Service employs the crew for eight weeks. Crew members need to be 15 by the time the program starts and have not turned 19 by the program’s end.

Applications are now available from Kreuz at Libby Senior High School.  

Dave Thorstenson, a Recreation Technician for Libby Ranger District, has been the Youth Conservation Corps Program Supervisor since 2010.

“Over the last four years I feel I’m 20-for-20 on our results from picking out of a hat. I’ve enjoyed all our crew members, and I’m very impressed with the results we’ve had from their work,” said Thorstenson. “The crew is rewarded with future letters of recommendation, gained work experience, and a few past crew members have been hired on our seasonal Forest Service work force.”  

Kari Lindgren a senior at Libby Senior High has been selected to come back for the summer as a Youth Conservation Corps leader.  Lindgren was on the 2013 Youth Conservation Corps crew, and she is available for questions at the high school.

Wilfred Johnson has been the Youth Conservation Corps crew leader for the past two years.  

“Working with a young crew is exciting, in most cases it’s their first job which also puts a lot of expectations on myself as leader,” said Johnson.  “When the crew gets their first paycheck, they feel really good about themselves and that’s great to see.”  

Johnson manages the crew so they work as a team, and they watch out for one another. “I like to tell the crew that you can accomplish anything, the opportunities are only limited by themselves.”

For more information on the program, contact Thorstenson at Canoe Gulch Ranger Station at 293-7773.