Opportunities Abound- Minnesota Conservation Corps

     I sometimes think I lived in a bubble because I didn’t realize there were so many wonderful opportunities to choose from as a "younger" person.  One of the things I wish I would have known about was the Minnesota Conservation Corps. 

     The Minnesota Conservation Corps has worked on a variety of projects around the Gunflint Trail and surrounding areas.  We’ve met crews working during previous fires on the Gunflint Trail and I read crews assisted on the Pagami Creek Fire as well.  How awesome it is for these people to learn about ICS and the workings at a major event.  Here’s an article from their newsletter.

Corps assists on Pagami Creek fire

First detected August 18, the Pagami Creek fire moved across northeastern Minnesota, burning nearly 100,000 acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. More than 1,000 personnel responded to the fire, representing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forestry Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and wildfire Hot Shot crews from across the country. Conservation Corps crews worked two-week stints in the Incident Command Post at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely, Minn., including crews from Rochester, Bemidji and Windom. Designated “the Unsung Heroes of Camp,” the crews worked 16-hour days handling general base camp duties and distributing fire gear. Alex DeMaioribus of the Bemidji Northwoods crew says his favorite part was “talking to people from other agencies or other parts of the country and learning about the ICS system and all its workings.” 
 

     The Minnesota Conservation Corps also had a group working with the Boy Scouts earlier this summer on the North Shore.  They did work on the Superior National Hiking Trail and on bike trails in our area.

Scouts and Corps team up to build North Shore trails

Conservation Corps crews from northeast Minnesota and the U.S. Forest Service partnered with the Boy Scouts of America’s adult honor society, the Order of the Arrow, on a summer-long effort to build and improve trails in the North Shore area. After a June 22-25 groundbreaking event in Grand Marais, five crews worked through late August to build biking trails at Pincushion Mountain on the Gunflint Trail and Sugarbush Trail along Lake Superior, and improve sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. Watch future Updates for a feature from our project host!
 

     If you are a "younger" person or know anyone between the ages of 15-25  who is looking for something to do then consider the Corps.  You can find more information online.

 The Conservation Corps provides meaningful work for young people in conserving energy, managing natural resources, responding to disasters and leading volunteers. Not only do we provide training in resource management, safety, job-readiness and technical skills, we help young people develop personal responsibility, a strong work ethic and greater awareness of environmental stewardship.