Summer Forest Service jobs available for area youth

Summer jobs for Mineral County Youth will be available this year through the Youth Conservation Corps. The Lolo National Forest will be hiring five area youths through this program to do jobs such as clearing trails and streams, improving wildlife habitat, building fences and campground facilities, planting trees and working with the fisheries and streams.

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer employment program for young men and women, who work, learn and earn together for eight weeks on projects that help conserve the natural resources of the United States. Part of the program is to develop youths understanding and appreciation of the Nation’s natural environment and heritage.

“This is a lot of work, but it will also be fun,” said Heather Berman with the Superior Forest Service. “This is a first job for many of the kids and they learn a lot about the ethics of being on a job and following rules and regulations. They also learn about forest management and natural resources.”

Some field trips are also planned, including a possible trip to a tree nursery in Idaho and the Smoke Jumpers Center in Missoula. They will meet every day, or if the job is further away, they may stay overnight, possibly at the Historic Savanac Tree Nursery. Berman said they are still in the planning stages for the summer and a specific agenda is still be worked out.

The jobs run from June 12 until August 4. Youth between the ages of 15 (by June 11, 2017) and 19 (by August 6) are invited to apply. Applications are available online at www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/opportunities-for-young-people/youth-conservation-corps-opportunities. Applications can be mailed to Heather Berman, Lolo National Forest, P.O. Box 460, Superior, MT 59872. The deadline is March 17. Any youth can apply, whether home schooled or attending public schools.