Gulf Coast Corpmembers Awarded Scholarships to Participate in Waders in the Water Training
Members of the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast install a living shoreline
WASHINGTON, DC (November 2, 2016) – The Corps Network has awarded a total of twenty Aquatic Restoration training scholarships to four member Conservation Corps of the Gulf Corps Alliance (GCA). The scholarships were made through a public-private partnership between The Corps Network and Trout Headwaters, Inc. and will help enroll more Corpsmembers in the low-cost, high-value Waders in the Water (WitW) Level I aquatic restoration training and certification program.
The recipient Corps include Climb CDC (MS), Community Training Works, Inc./ Young American Conservation Corps (FL), Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast (FL), and Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LA).
Formed in 2016, the GCA strives to strengthen the environmental and economic health and resilience of communities along the Gulf of Mexico by encouraging partnerships among Corps, local governments, community organizations and businesses. The GCA is comprised of national organizations as well regional organizations based in the Gulf Coast states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Texas. Members of the GCA include Corps, workforce development organizations, environmentally-focused nonprofits and others.
The WitW program was designed by Trout Headwaters, Inc. to support the efforts of 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) programs to engage youth and veterans in restoring waterways and aquatic habitats. The WitW course helps put 21CSC Corpsmembers on the path to careers in the $10 billion/year restoration industry by training them in the knowledge and skills to improve the health, productivity, and climate-resiliency of public and private streams, rivers, coastlines, and wetlands.
Since its launch in 2014, WitW has engaged hundreds of students nationwide in classroom and hands-on training in basic aquatic restoration. WitW is the only industry-recognized, entry-level aquatic restoration credential.
“I am pleased The Corps Network and Trout Headwaters are partnering to invest in our region’s young people,” said Joe Taylor, Executive Director of Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast. “Waders in the Water training offers promising long-term benefits for our individual Corpsmembers. This training is sure to enhance the quality of our environmental restoration work.”
On November 15th and 16th, the scholarship recipients will join other students from across the nation as they all participate in the training delivered by live webinar. Interested Corpsmembers can REGISTER HERE to join that two-day online class and learn more about growing opportunities in the expanding restoration economy.
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network provides leadership and support to over 130 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps. Through advocacy, access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables over 24,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.
To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
Media Contact:
Hannah Traverse
The Corps Network
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Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.737.6272
Email: [email protected]