Youth and Conservation Corps Opportunities for Parks and Trails

Stuart MacDonald, American Trails

Stephanie Davison,

Josh Ryan, Timber and Stone LLC

Christopher Douwes, Federal Highway Administration, Rec Trails Program

Tuesday, March 17, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
One-day indoor workshop
Location: Crowne Plaza Conference Center, Mt Roan Ballroom

THE SESSION

Learn how Service and Conservation Corps function and how they can be a key resource for parks, trails, and recreation work.

PRESENTATION OF TOPIC
Examples from several states will be discussed.
Describe benefits of employing corpsmembers as a way to involve youth in the outdoors, teach career skills, and nurture a new generation of public land stewards.
Case studies will illustrate specific trail planning, project development, and partnership issues.
Specific ways to access this important resource while enhancing your chances of getting funding public lands and recreation facilities.
Discussion will cover planning, funding, liability, responsibilities, and benefits. Learn how to work with corps organizations, secure state and federal funding, and develop long-term partnerships.
Examples of state programs that encourage local project sponsors to involve conservation corps will be discussed.

Participants will receive a new guidebook on funding and coordinating youth corps projects, written by Stuart Macdonald: "Conservation Corps and Transportation: Making the Connection."

CONCLUSION
Audience will be invited to share ideas.
Participants will be invited to ask questions and clarify what they have learned.

LEARNING GOALS
- Select the key issues in planning a project suitable for conservation corps.-
- Explain the benefits to the agency as well as to young people in using corps on projects.
- Apply knowledge of funding issues to write successful grant applications for corps work.

Learn the keys to involving youth and service corps organizations in trail and stewardship projects. Support education and career development for young people while putting a skilled and flexible team to work on your parks and trails. Discussion will cover planning, funding, liability, responsibilities, and benefits. Learn how to work with corps organizations, secure state and federal funding, and develop long-term partnerships.

Learn the keys to involving youth and service corps organizations in trail and stewardship projects, including planning, funding, liability, responsibilities, and benefits. Learn how to work with corps organizations, secure state and federal funding, and develop long-term partnerships.

Conservation and service corps have been successful partners with parks and recreation agencies on many types of park, trail, and conservation projects how to access this important resource while enhancing your chances of getting funding public lands and recreation facilities. We also want to acquaint park and land managers with the benefits of employing corpsmembers.

ISSUES for DISCUSSION

How to:
- Address priority trail projects as identified in current planning documents.
- Engage planners and outdoor recreation staff in discussion of proposed and potential projects.
- Get involved with other nonprofit groups in the region that address outdoor recreation and resource stewardship.
- Document the real value and cost effectiveness of working with Corps.
- Review the budgets of other local trail projects to accurately identify costs of materials, equipment, and agency

   crews, as well as Corps.
- Work together to operate a branded Corps program rather than replicate existing agency programs.
- Be flexible and open to new types of work and partnerships.
- Have experienced, committed crews, as well as supervisors, available for technical work.
- Create dedicated crews for whom the project is a source of pride.
- Develop relationships with established, well-funded sponsors and partners.
- Seek opportunities for awards and media coverage that get the attention of decision makers, agency heads, and

   elected officials.
- Develop ties with local public education, and include crew members as advocates for the Corps experience.

THE PRESENTERS

Christopher Douwes, Federal Highways Administration, Recreation Trails Program

Stuart MacDonald, American Trails,

Stephanie Davidson,

Josh Ryan, Timber and Stone LLC

WHEN AND WHERE

Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from 9 am - 12 noon

Mt Roan Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Conference Center

FEE
This workshop is sponsored by the Federal Highways Administration, Recreation Trails Program

There is no fee for this workshop, however pre-registration in required.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Stuart MacDonald, mactrail@aol.com