Project Titles:

• Employ 30 YCC Enrollees at 6 Field Stations (FFS #R7NA)
• Employ 9 SCA Interns at 5 Field Stations (FFS #R7NB)
• Employ 45 Temporary Hires at 14 Field Stations (FFS #R7NC)

State: Alaska

Project Description: Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enabled the hiring of additional young people at national wildlife refuges in Alaska and with the Youth Employment in Parks program in Anchorage.

An additional 40 young people were employed at national wildlife refuges throughout Alaska as a result of more than $215,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds created jobs in rural Alaska where employment opportunities, particularly for young people, are scarce. From assisting with biological surveys to clearing trails and providing logistics support, these job opportunities have introduced high school and college students to careers in a wide range of fields. In turn, these youths have helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service complete vital work to help fulfill the agency’s conservation mission.

“We’re pleased to be able to put these young people to work,” said Geoffrey Haskett, Alaska Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Alaska wildlife refuges have benefited from their energy, enthusiasm, and hard work. We hope these jobs have opened their eyes to opportunities for fulfilling careers in resource management in rural Alaska.”

In addition, $246,000 in Recovery Act funding enabled the Anchorage Park Foundation and its partners to hire 39 youth conservation crew members to conduct habitat restoration projects within the municipality of Anchorage.

Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) is a program operated by the Anchorage Park Foundation, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department, and the National Wildlife Federation’s Alaska Youth for Environmental Action. The goals of the YEP program are to create a meaningful first-job experience and career pathway for diverse groups of youth to work in the outdoors and natural resources fields; to expose youth to the outdoors and connect them with nature to support healthy lifestyles; to provide youth with community action skills and character development so they may become effective citizens; to improve the community through habitat restoration and other projects; and to enhance recreation opportunities in parks and public spaces.

The YEP conservation crew projects include work on stream bank restoration, creek cleanups, invasive plant removal, riparian habitat rehabilitation, and watershed public outreach.

“Recovery Act funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service played a vital role in allowing the Youth Employment in Parks program to expand,” said Beth Nordlund, development director for the Anchorage Park Foundation. “This year, we were able to hire more youth and create field educator positions to bring education and relevance to the meaningful work participants did in Anchorage parks.” All of these projects were substantially completed by the end of the summer of 2011.

For additional information, please contact:
Larry Bell; (907) 786-3309; Larry_Bell@fws.gov
Bruce Woods; (907) 786-3309; Bruce_Woods@fws.gov

Photos:

Two youth employees radio-tag brown bears near Karluk Lake in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding enabled the refuge to hire youths to assist with research on bear habitat use.

At the Koyukuk Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Galena, youth assisted in biological surveys and maintenance. Both employees pictured here were hired with funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

A Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) crew uses cabled spruce trees in combination with brush layering to restore a stream bank near Lynwood Park in Anchorage. Recovery Act funding supported the participation of youth in the 2009 YEP program.

Originally posted 08/12/2009
Updated 02/07/2011
Page Completed 10/27/2011