Corps of the outdoors
Teens learn wildlife refuge work with Youth Conservation Corps programBy KIM FUNDINGSLAND, Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
Article Photos
FOXHOLM Summers are made for spending time outdoors.
So is the Youth Conservation Corps program, a summer employment program for youth ages 15 through 18. Several government agencies employ YCC workers during the summer months, including the Fish and Wildlife Service. Three YCC workers were added to the staff at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge this summer.
"It's been great. In fact, terrific," said Kelly Hogan, Souris Basin Refuge Complex manager from his office near Lake Darling. "Without them there's a lot of things that we just couldn't get done up here. It's good for them too because they experience a learning opportunity."
Youth enrolled in the YCC program have been helping at fish hatcheries and several National Wildlife Refuges in North Dakota this summer. They were chosen by lottery following an application process, not because of previous work experience or through an interview process.
"We've probably had the program for 20 years," said Duane Anderson, biological technician at Upper Souris NWR. "A lot of students have gone through the program. I know it's valuable for us and for them. It's a training program, probably the first job some of these students have had, plus they get to make some money."
Youth Conservation Corps employees get involved in a variety of projects, most of them involving outdoor work. There's plenty of opportunities to experience fresh air and hard work and learn about nature.
"Goose banding was pretty good and really fun," said Chris Helseth of Carpio, a YCC employee at Upper Souris who will be entering his senior year in high school soon.
The final project Helseth was working on before ending his YCC duties for the summer was the clearing of tree branches from public areas on the refuge. He and fellow worker Jordan Ogle, Des Lacs, enjoyed a brief break from stacking branches on a trailer Monday and talked about their summer of work together at Upper Souris.
"I like the wildlife experience and trying to get to know everything. It's a pretty-good job. If you worked somewhere else you are going to be inside all day," said Helseth.
"It has been pretty fun," added Ogle, soon to be a high school junior. "I liked just being around nature and seeing all the animals and wildlife. I got to watch turtles hatch and see birds and deer."
The Upper Souris NWR covers approximately 35,000 acres, meaning there has been no shortage of projects to keep YCCers busy this summer. They've been called upon to clear trees, put up refuge signs and do a wide variety of maintenance duties under the direction of supervisor Susan Scheel.
"Honestly, I've been fortunate enough to have two hard workers. They get treated just like any other worker at the refuge," said Scheel. "Everything we get to do is outdoors. I keep them on their toes and we get a lot done."
While the YCC workers have done their share of work at the refuge this summer, they have also received an introductory course in environmental awareness. Recently they hopped on an air boat to help check for possible outbreaks of botulism at the refuge. Earlier this summer they participated in a workshop conducted by the National Weather Service.
"Ninety-eight percent of our job is outdoors," said Scheel. "We help keep the refuge up and teach about the refuge itself."
"They get involved in some biological programs," added Anderson. "We want them to enjoy it a bit. Some will eventually end up with full-time jobs in the FWS or the Game and Fish Department."
Jacey Peterson, Carpio, was also on the YCC staff at Upper Souris this summer. She took the job to earn a few extra dollars before enrolling for her freshman year at Minot State University this fall. Although her duties have been primarily limited to office work, she also spent some time in the field.
"The program has really been pretty good," remarked Peterson. "I got to go bugging one day where we swept for leafy spurge bugs and brought them back. It was cool to get out of the office."
Peterson said she has enjoyed working at the refuge even though she is "not so much into the outdoors stuff." She plans to go into elementary education at Minot State. Helseth and Ogle said they have no definite plans for the future, but both agreed working in the YCC program has given them a valuable insight into possible careers in the outdoors.
