More than 40 youth and young adults have summer jobs this year through the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Conservation Corps programs thanks to a program expansion made possible by funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Recognized for collaborative and successful Conservation Corps programs, the Forest Preserves is the sole recipient of the newly created IDNR Youth and Young Adult Conservation Corps (YYACC) grant. Since 2005, these three Conservation Corps programs have engaged more than 3,500 people. With the $344,000 YYACC grant, this year’s offerings have been able to add crews, equipment and more. Conservation Corps programs are managed in partnership with Friends of the Forest Preserves, the Student Conservation Association and Audubon Great Lakes. The three programs benefitting from the YYACC grant:

Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps: 10 new crew members (25 percent expansion)
Partner: Student Conservation Association
Current high school students or recent graduates work on teams to build trails, remove invasive plants, mulch trees, and more. During the five-week program, participants also experience environmental education and nature-based recreational activities to put their hard work into context and to inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.

Forest Preserve Experience Program: 24 new crew members (33 percent expansion)
Partners: Friends of the Forest Preserves, Housing Authority of Cook County
Youth work to help their community’s environment through river and lake clean-up activities, tree mulching and invasive plant removal efforts in their local forest preserves. Participants come from families who utilize the services of the Housing Authority of Cook County. The five weeks include basic skills training, as well.

Audubon Habitat Restoration Internship: 7 new crew members (100 percent expansion)
Partner: Audubon Great Lakes
Interns assist with the management and restoration of wetlands, prairies, savannas and woodlands with special emphasis on grassland birds and their habitats. Interns gain valuable professional networks and technical skills training, including ecology training and native plant identification, and participants earn a State of Illinois Pesticide License.  Successful graduates are prepared and desirable candidates for entry-level jobs in forestry, land management and related fields.

Learn more about Conservation Corps in the Forest Preserves of Cook County: fpdcc.com/nature/conservation-corps-programs/

Photo Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County