Former Corpsmember of the Year, Germain Castellanos of Youth Conservation Corps, Honored by the White House as a Champion of Change!

Photo Credit: CNCS

We send our congratulations to Germain Castellanos as a representative of Youth Conservation Corps, Youthbuild, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network as one of our former Corpsmembers of the Year for being honored by the White House as a modern representative of Cesar Chavez’s legacy.

Way to go Germain!

Germain was a Corpsmember of the Year in 2005. You can learn about his accomplishments since that time by reading a profile we recently wrote here. He also represented us and AmeriCorps as part of 2013’s American Graduate Day special on PBS.

Earlier this year, Jon Brito of Kupu / Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps, and Anthony “Chako” Ciocco of Southwest Conservation Corps were also recognized as Champions of Change for engaging the next generation of conservation leaders.

Service and Conservation Corps Participate in “Mayors’ Day of Recognition for Service” Events Nationwide

On Tuesday April 1st, numerous members of The Corps Network participated in events nationwide with their Mayors to recognize the contributions that National Service makes in their communities. In total, more than 1750 mayors were expected to participate across the United States.

American YouthWorks and the Texas Conservation Corps (shown above with Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell) where even one of the programs prominently featured in a video made by Austin, Texas to showcase Service and how it plays a role in their communities.
 

Other Highlights:

  • [Photo] Utah Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members with numerous mayors
     
  • [News Release] Heart of Oregon Corps Attended Several Events with numerous mayors
     
  • [Photo] Greater Miami Service Corps Attended Several Events with numerous mayors
     
  • [Photo Set] Montana Conservation Corps Helps Build Gardens at School
     

[Photo] Operation Fresh Start crew representing at Mayoral Proclamation on AmeriCorps service day

Washington Conservation Corps Assisting with Disaster Relief Operations following Washington Landslide and Flooding

Following the Oso landslide, Washington Conservation Corps has deployed 7 AmeriCorps crews to assist with a variety of tasks, including logistical and facilities support, as well as mapping. We thank them for representing the Corps Movement and National Service so well under these tragic circumstances.

For more information, photos, and updates, please check their Facebook page.

Request for Proposals: Urban to Rural Experience Trip Videographer

Download Full Request for Proposals and Application Guidelines Here

Since Sally Jewell was sworn in as Secretary of the Interior, she has placed a high priority on getting more youth outdoors. Her passion for this issue is driven by a number of factors, including the public health and educational benefits, as well as the importance of engaging younger generations in fields related to land management and conservation. In 2012, 38% of Interior Department staff were eligible for retirement and Jewell believes it is vital to invest in our youth now to engage the next generation of public lands stewards. One of Jewell’s main proposals to tackle this challenge has been the engagement of youth conservation corps across the country, committing to raising $20 million in private funds to aide in the expansion of the corps.

The Corps Network, the national association of Service and Conservation Corps, seeks to tap Secretary Jewell’s passion for youth to highlight the importance of vital conservation policies – the Antiquities Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. By bringing youth from an urban area to the backcountry of a proposed or designated national monument, this project will show the value these lands have to current and future generations and the importance of the Secretary’s leadership for conserving them.

The Corps Network (TCN) seeks a videographer to accompany two TCN staff members to Idaho to document an “Urban to Rural Experience Trip” in which young people (ranging in age from 16 – 25) from an urban conservation corps will travel to and camp at Boulder White Clouds National Monument.

Using footage from this trip, the videographer will create a 5-minute promotional video to highlight the important environmental conservation work that Corps complete nationwide.

Download Full Request for Proposals and Application Guidelines Here

Greening Youth Foundation Launches Atlanta Youth Corps

 

The Greening Youth Foundation, a member of The Corps Network, has launched a new program called the Atlanta Youth Corps. Nick Chiles of the Atlanta BlackStar writes that the new Corps program will help plant gardens around several Atlanta fire stations as one of their first projects. 

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall has been working with the Greening Youth Foundation to start the Corps. Chiles explains that “GYF will manage the pilot Atlanta Youth Corps program as part of Councilman Hall’s Year of Boulevard initiative, focused on Atlanta’s Boulevard street in the Midtown area. The cost of the public-private partnership will stem from the exact amount needed to complete a project. Each project will be designed in partnership with the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation department and/or the community entity involved.”

Greening Youth Foundation recently was designated as an official program operator for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. Chiles suggests that the Atlanta Youth Corps, will be considered part of this initiative. 

With 350 parks, green spaces and community centers, the city of Atlanta is poised to benefit from the deployment of young people in a citywide conservation corps—particularly considering the city’s high unemployment rate for Black youth. Because of budget shortfalls and a growing population, the city has a difficult time maintaining all of its green spaces and rec centers.

“This program is a perfect culmination of what our organization is good at and what the City of Atlanta needs: workforce development for youth in the area of conservation and outsourced greenspace and park management,” Angelou Ezeilo, founder and CEO of Greening Youth Foundation, told ABS. “I am thrilled that GYF will be leading such an exciting initiative.  Our team looks forward to working with the City of Atlanta to make this program an overwhelming success.”

Photos, Press, Highlights, and Video from the White House Champions of Change Conservation Event

Earlier this week as we announced, both Anthony “Chako” Ciocco of Southwest Conservation Corps and Jon Brito of Kupu were honored by the White House for “engaging the next generation of conservation leaders.”

Numerous staff members from The Corps Network were honored to attend the event on Tuesday, and watch Chako and Jon represent us and the Corps Movement so well!

Secretary Jewell Makes Big Show of Support at Event, and Through Secretarial Order

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell served as the keynote speaker for the event, and highlighted each of the fourteen honorees’ accomplishments. She quoted each of the honorees, and even ended her remarks with a quote from a forthcoming blog post written by Chako, to soon be published by the White House! (See video at time mark of 34 minutes and 35 seconds). She also announced that she would soon issue a Secretarial order for her youth initiative, which among other features formalizes the continuing implementation of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. A press release about the order was released earlier today. We believe this is a significant development and thank the Secretary for her support!

Other Representatives also Highlight Importance of Youth in Conservation and 21st Century Conservation Service Corps

The event also featured high-ranking officials from numerous other agencies and the White House, including White House Counselor John Podesta, Department of Interior Assistant Secretary Rhea Suh, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Arthur Blazer (pictured), and Acting Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Michael Boots. Everyone was emphatic in their support of getting youth involved in conservation, and that the 14 “Champions of Change” were excellent role models for showcasing methods and strategies for involving youth in a variety of conservation efforts. The honorees were evenly split into two moderated panels, where they introduced themselves and answered questions from the moderators, from Twitter, and from the live audience. A video of the first hour of the event has already been posted on Youtube. In total it was a three hour event, so we are still waiting for the next video which should feature Chako and Jon’s panel.

Additional Highlights Feature a Trip to Meet Wendy Spencer at the Corporation for National & Community Service, a mural tour at the Department of Interior that concluded with a stop in Secretary Jewell’s Office

Both Jon and Chako were invited to the offices of AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) following the event. They were joined by Dr. Benjamin Blonder and Andy Hart, two other “Champions” who each had an AmeriCorps connection. CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer took a few moments to meet each of the honorees and take a photo with them. All of the champions also filmed quick videos with AmeriCorps staff.

Later in the afternoon, the Champions of Change were invited to take a tour of the Department of Interior, and see many of its fantastic and historic murals. Jon and Chako stopped to pose in front of one mural that depicted the Civilian Conservation Corps. The honorees gradually made their way to Secretary Jewell’s office, where she again greeted the Champions and took more photos.

Party On Champions

But the fun didn’t end there. The champions were invited by The Wilderness Society to their Ansel Adams Gallery to join a reception in honor of Bill Hodge, one of the Champions who was honored as a representative of the Wilderness Society’s Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) program. An additional event was organized by our friends with the Outdoors Alliance for Kids.  

Praise from Members of Congress for Chako and Jon

“The White House Champions of Change award is a fitting recognition of Anthony’s environmental stewardship and leadership. He works tirelessly to improve outdoor access on the Navajo Nation,” Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet said. “In true Colorado fashion, Anthony, and the Southwest Conservation Corps, are dedicated to furthering opportunities for all of us to get outside and appreciate the outdoors, while also teaching countless young people the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources.”

“Today at the White House, a local Moloka`i leader is being honored for his work to preserve our precious island environment and Native Hawaiian cultural practices. Jon has restored many endangered native Hawai`i species and habitats through his work with AmeriCorps and Kupu’s Hawai`i Youth Conservation Corps. I’m so proud of Jon and all that he has done to improve his community and the environment around him, while setting a great example for our keiki to follow. Congratulations, Jon, for this well-deserved honor! Aloha!” — U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard

 

Press

* We will continue adding to this list as new stories are posted and released.

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Video: John Griffith and his CCC Crew Teach the Bioblitz Dance

 

Learn how to do the Bioblitz Dance from John Griffith and his California Conservation Corps crew.

Eliseo Nunez, 2014 Corpsmember of the Year, Recognized by City of San Diego

On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, the San Diego City Council proclaimed it “Eliseo Nunez Day in the City of San Diego.” Eliseo, who graduated from Urban Corps of San Diego County in 2013 and now works as a UCSD staff member, was honored as a Corpsmember of the Year at The Corps Network’s 2014 National Conference. Congratulations Eliseo!  

Click here to learn more about Eliseo 

Secretary Jewell Visits Los Angeles to Promote Connecting Urban Youth to the Great Outdoors, Meets with LA Conservation Corps


Watch a video about Secretary Jewell’s Youth Initiative

 

Click here to see photos of Secretary Jewell with LACC

Source: Press Release, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

This week, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to announce Los Angeles has been selected as one of eight pilot cities under the Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative to connect urban youth with the great outdoors.  The announcement comes on the heels of President Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget request last week, which supports the Department’s youth initiative to inspire millions of young people to play, learn, serve and work outdoors through increased investments in the Department’s youth programs.

“As children become increasingly disconnected with nature, it is critical for the health of our economy and our public lands that we work to establish meaningful and deep connections between young people from every background and every community to the great outdoors,” said Secretary Jewell. “Creating opportunities for urban young people to get outdoors not only supports healthy lifestyles but it also helps spark a passion to be good stewards of nature that will last a lifetime.”

“Giving city kids access to outdoor experiences and exercise will undoubtedly make a lasting impact, and so I am excited that L.A. is partnering with the Department of the Interior through the Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Connecting L.A.’s youth with nature will enrich their lives, strengthen our communities, and increase our city’s health.”


 

President Obama’s budget released last week proposes $50.6 million for Interior youth programs, which represents a $13.6 million (or 37 percent) increase from 2014. Included in the budget is an increase of $2.5 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative, $8 million to expand opportunities for youth education and employment across the National Park Service and an additional $1 million in the Bureau of Indian Affairs for youth programs.

Prior to the announcement, students from Franklin High School led Jewell and Garcetti on a hike of the LA River and through Los Angeles State Historic Park where they discussed how the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering with local organizations to create opportunities to help urban students and families make connections with America’s federal, state and local public lands.

Thanks to a partnership with the Friends of the LA River, a mobile visitor and education center will soon bring the Los Angeles River to life for young people who might otherwise not establish a connection with nature.  A modified RV, the River Rover, will provide educational opportunities for families and children in one of the most diverse and densely populated regions of the country.

“Los Angeles is a national leader at engaging urban youth in nature and we hope what is happening here can serve as a model for other cities across the country,” said Jewell. “The partnership we have formed will allow us to bring young people to the river and the river to young people.” 

The River Rover, to be completed in April, will house interactive exhibits, including an interactive model of the LA River watershed. It is one of eight pilot projects sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service across the country. Examples of other projects include working with schools in New Haven, CT, to create a network of wildlife-friendly habitat oases and habitat improvements in municipal parks, schoolyards, and vacant lots to establishing nature-learning and engagement opportunities in urban neighborhoods in Chicago.

In an attempt to help bridge the growing disconnect between young people and the great outdoors, Secretary Jewell last October launched an ambitious youth initiative to inspire millions of young people to play, learn, serve and work outdoors. The goals of the youth initiative include:

Play: Interior will develop or enhance outdoor recreation partnerships in a total of 50 cities over four years to create new, systemic opportunities for outdoor play for more than 10 million young people.

Learn: Provide educational opportunities to at least 10 million of the nation’s K-12 student population annually. In addition to welcoming students into nature’s classroom, we are developing and strengthening new online education resources, to reach more students.

Serve: Engage 1 million volunteers annually on public lands, effectively tripling the numbers we have now. We know that many more people are interested in volunteering at national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands, but there are often insufficient staff resources to coordinate them. In order to achieve the volunteer goal, we will place a renewed emphasis on volunteer coordination and management.

Work: To develop the next generation of lifelong conservation stewards and ensure our own skilled and diverse workforce pipeline, Interior will provide 100,000 work & training opportunities to young people within our bureaus and through public-private partnerships. As part of this effort, we aim to raise an additional $20 million to support the youth work and training opportunities.

Los Angeles is also one of 18 pilots for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership – a coalition of 13 federal agencies working to revitalize urban waterfronts and open spaces in cities, leading to healthier and more prosperous communities all over the country.

Montana Conservation Corps Responds to Deadly Avalanche


Photo from NBC Montana

Parts taken from NBC Montana and KPAX News

Click here to watch a newscast about the cleanup

The Montana Conservation Corps, along with neighbors and friends, are continuing digging in the snow and working hard to find an array of meaningful items at the site of last week’s deadly Missoula avalanche.

Michel Jo Colville, a woman who was pulled alive from the Feb. 28 snow slide in the Lower Rattlesnake area at the base of Mount Jumbo, died from her injuries several days later.

Now crews are searching for specific items and hoping to find them somewhere in the deep snow that’s still at the foothills of Mount Jumbo.

“We found a couple of one of the victim’s journals, we found several of those, we found a lot of seashells which they’re saving. They asked to keep an eye out for ceramics, colored glass, and seashells. The kids want to make an urn for the victim and so they want some stuff to do that with,” Lindsay Wancour said.

“Part of our program is service to our community, and this is a perfect opportunity for us to give a little back to the victims of this pretty devastating tragedy,” said regional supervisor of the Montana Conservation Corps Bobby Grillo.