The Southwest Conservation Corps is launching its first adult day crew program in Montezuma County this fall with the aim of addressing local conservation workforce needs and providing entry-level opportunities.
The adult program was created following the success of SCC’s youth program in the county.
“Our mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment, and we do that through hands-on work, typically on public lands,” Teresa DiTore, SCC Four Corners regional director, told The Journal.
This new adult day crew model addresses two key challenges. The first is providing a place for youth participants who age out of the youth program at age 18 and face barriers to continuing in SCC’s multiday camping crews due to family responsibilities, jobs and other commitments. It also allows SCC’s partner agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to fill seasonal positions with local workers who are certified and possess the necessary experience.
The day crew program will take participants ages 18 to 30, or 35 for veterans. In this model, students can live at home while gaining the technical skills and certifications needed to be hired. The crews consist of seven to nine members who are led by two experienced leaders. The crews will work on projects that include chainsaw operations, trail maintenance and community improvement. The program also provides training in wilderness first aid.
“We have a lot of cool local work that needs to get done, so this crew will not only work on chainsaw projects, but our goal is to give them a wide variety of experience and really expose these crew members to the different opportunities in our region for jobs, for future work,” DiTore said.
Entrants will work with chainsaws, perform trail work and other community improvements.
“They'll get a wide variety of experience with a wide variety of partners,” DiTore said.
The inaugural season for the Montezuma County adult day crew will start at the end of August. So far, there are more than 60 applications for seven positions. About 20 of those applications are from Montezuma County residents.
“Without even starting the season, there's already a lot of excitement and interest, which I think is showing us that this is a need. It’s something we feel really excited to implement and see where it goes,” DiTore said.
If the program proves successful, Southwest Conservation Corps hopes to recreate it in other places such as La Plata County, and in doing so to break down barriers to conservation opportunities she said.
Selected participants will earn a living stipend during their 10-week course and become eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon completion of the program. This award was described as a one-time stipend to be used for further education, with many program graduates using the award to obtain certifications in specialties like wilderness medicine, wildland fire or drone operation.
Applicants need not have prior experience.
“One of the really cool things about our program is that we really don't require a lot of experience to join our program. We're looking for people who are excited to join. They're ready for a challenge, ready to work hard, but willing to learn,” DiTore said.
She said the program is an entry-level opportunity for young adults to get the skills necessary to further their conservation careers or try something new.
More information can be found at sccorps.org/join.
bduran@the-journal.com
