Maryland Conservation Corps
By Dave Keane
This month I would like to highlight a group that has been performing conservation work throughout Maryland for approximately 34 years. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) was created in 1984 to help support Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. The 11 month program creates opportunities for young adults to gain skills and experience by working on conservation projects such as trail construction, tree plantings, removing invasive species and restoring bay grasses.
Corps members must be 17-25 years of age, be a US Citizen, have a High School diploma or GED and must be willing to work outdoors as a team throughout Maryland. The MCC is managed by the Maryland Park Service which greatly benefits from the hard work of these individuals. The program also provides environmental education opportunities to Corps members and training in chainsaw operation, basic construction techniques and team building skills.
The MCC is cultivating future leaders for our conservation field. Graduates go on to become Park rangers, fisheries biologist, foresters and natural resource managers.
As you visit Maryland State parks this summer to go fishing, I’m sure that you will be walking on trails, sitting on benches and enjoying other amenities that the MCC constructed. I currently work with a number of MCC graduates and they are all passionate about the outdoors and resource conservation.
The program is currently accepting applications and will begin another 11 month term in September 2018. For more information contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Recruitment Officer/Program Coordinator Luke Terrell Tawes State Office Building 580 Taylor Avenue, E-3 Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410-260-8153 E-mail: luke.terrell@maryland.gov
See you in the woods,
Dave Keane
Davidkeane1968@gmail.com