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Youth Conservation Corps

Over 580 teens have participated in the Youth Conservation Corps since it began, and BNAN is anticipating another 60 youth will serve in the program in 2012, its 19th year of operation. This year, four teams of youth age 15-17 will work along the Neponset River Greenway in Dorchester and Mattapan, the East Boston Greenway and in Stony Brook Reservation in Hyde Park. YCC teens learn teamwork and job skills while engaged in park improvement projects involving environmental restoration, trail building, landscaping and more. New for 2012 will also be the addition of an urban agriculture project.

The YCC youth have been instrumental in building support for both the Greenways and Urban Wilds by drawing community attention to these spaces. BNAN partners with MA DCR and Boston Parks Department to accomplish the YCC projects.

YCC Activities

The Youth Conservation Corps work and education programs focus on restoring habitat and creating access. The list below is just a sample of what YCC members do. To see photos from the 2011 YCC program click here.

  • Create and maintain trails
  • Complete native restoration projects, which attract birds, insects and other wildlife
  • Remove invasive plant species
  • Create murals along the Neponset and East Boston Greenways
  • Learn about current local and global environmental concerns

Summer 2012 Positions Available:

Position: Youth Conservation Corps Member
Locations: 1. East Boston Greenway 2. Neponset Greenway: Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester 3. Neponset Greenway: Mattapan Square 4. Stony Brook Reservation, Hyde Park

Responsibilities: Youth will be part of one of the above teams with 10-12 other youth and will engage in physical work projects to better parks and natural areas. Corps members will learn about environmental topics while performing conservation projects, trail building, landscaping and other similar activities. YCC youth also participate in outdoor programming such as canoeing and biking as well as job skills workshops.

Requirements:
  • 15 - 17 years of age this summer
  • Resident of Boston registered with the City of Boston Hope Line (Visit www.bostonyouthzone.com to register, deadline March 2.) –or– Resident of Milton *Through special funding, a limited number of positions are available for Milton residents.
  • Ability to perform physical work outdoors in all weather
  • Interest in learning about the natural environment
  • Enthusiasm to work as part of a team
  • Desire to make a difference in your community

Number of Positions: 48
Work Schedule: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, July 9 – August 24 (7 wks.)
Stipend: $8.00 per hour, 25 hours/week
Application Deadline: March 12, 2012

TO APPLY: Send completed application form (download below) to:
Candice Cook, Boston Natural Areas Network 62 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: 617-542-7696 x16 • Fax: 617-542-0383
• Email: candice@bostonnatural.org

Click here to download YCC position and application.

How To Register for Hopeline:
Complete the Online Registration Form (www.bostonyouthzone.com) that will be available 24 hours a day beginning Tuesday 2/1/2012 10:00 AM until Friday 3/4/2012 11:59 PM. -OR-
Call 617-635-HOPE (4673) on the following days and times: Tuesday 2/21 through Thursday 2/23, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hopeline Registration Requirements
• Must be a full time resident of the City of Boston
• Must turn 15 Years Old on or before July 8, 2012
• Cannot turn 18 Years Old on or before August 17, 2012
Contact BYF With Any Questions at 617-635-4202 or BostonYouthFund@cityofboston.gov.

YCC STAFF POSITIONS Summer 2012:

Youth Conservation Corps Hiring Adult Staff to Work with Youth in Boston This Summer! Job Descriptions will be posted shortly.In the meantime, for more information contact Candice Cook, Program Manager, at candice@bostonnatural.org.