Forty-Six Young Adults Graduate From Maryland Conservation Corps

Assateague, Md. (August 5, 2010) — Forty-six young adults graduated today from the Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) at Assateague State Park. Each graduate spent more than 1,700 hours of community service during the past year at State Parks throughout Maryland, serving conservation needs and working with the Civic Justice Corps (CJC).

“These young adults should serve as an inspiration to all Marylanders,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Maryland Conservation Corps members not only are getting their hands dirty by working to help clean up our natural resources, but are also helping educate and inspire the next generation of stewards through the Civic Justice Corps, while learning green job skills for their own future.”

Corps members, ages 17 to 25, were based at 10 State Parks: Swallow Falls, Gambrill, Patapsco Valley, Susquehanna, Point Lookout, Merkle, Tuckahoe, Pocomoke, Gunpowder and Assateague. The type of work was determined by region, which ranged from invasive species removal to environmental education work.

During their service, corps member amassed a large list of accomplishments. Members were responsible for the maintenance of 193 acres of forest buffer and planting of 20,910 trees, the completion of 214 park improvements, restoration of 7,776 acres of wild life habitat, completion of 227 miles of trail restoration and construction and restoration of 82 ecologically degraded Coastal and Chesapeake Bay sites. Corps members also provided environmental programs for 35,827 park visitors and students K – 12, completed over 100 hours of skills training each and mobilized 1,626 volunteers for 7,507 hours of service.

MCC members spent the summer managing CJC crews. During the 5-week summer jobs program, more than 300 at-risk youth worked in State Parks across Maryland, completing natural resource and park restoration projects, learning job and team building skills, and connecting with their natural world. MCC members acted as managers, leaders and mentors to the younger CJC participants.

Building on the federal Civilian Conservation Corps established 75 years ago and the modern AmeriCorps, The Maryland Conservation Corps is an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults in extensive natural resource management and park conservation projects. Managed by the Maryland Park Service since 1984, MCC provides members with opportunities for skill development and personal growth through a supportive, team-based environment, emphasizing the satisfaction of completing projects that benefit Maryland’s natural resources.
 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov