USU-Based UCC Bike Crew Wins Project of the Year Award
USU-based Utah Conservation Corps bike crew was awarded a Project of the Year Award from The Corps Network. The nation's first pedal-powered crew concluded a successful first summer field season completing 2.22 miles of trail improvement at East Canyon and Deer Creek State Parks.
The Utah State University-based Utah Conservation Corps bike crew was awarded a Project of the Year Award from The Corps Network. The nation’s first pedal-powered crew concluded a successful first summer field season completing 2.22 miles of trail improvement at East Canyon and Deer Creek State Parks. The crew traveled more than 530 miles using only cargo bicycles to transport themselves, tools, food and camping gear to the two Utah State Park sites during the summer.
Crew leader Jessica Gibbons said “Overall, it went well. It was a different experience than relying on vehicles. Getting to the worksite was that much more difficult. But we were doing it together, and it bonded our group.”
Project of the year awards are presented on an annual basis to corps that have undertaken especially influential or innovative endeavors within the past year. Winning projects are noteworthy for their ability to provide Corpsmembers with a positive experience and create meaningful improvements to local communities. Staff from The Corps Network, as well as outside reviewers from member Corps, selected the winners.
The bike crew was funded by a $20,000 grant from Utah State Park’s Recreational Trails Program with additional support from Black Diamond, Hammer Nutrition, ProBar and Clif Bar. A nationwide partnership between KEEN and The Corps Network also resulted in bike crew members being outfitted with KEEN utility work boots.
The award will be presented at a ceremony on February 10, 2016, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as part of The Corps Network’s 2016 national conference. The Corps Network is a non-profit organization that acts as an umbrella organization, providing strategic leadership and support to over 120 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps across the nation. Through advocacy, access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables over 23,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.
In 2014, 165 UCC AmeriCorps members created or maintained 177 miles of trail, constructed or repaired 8.5 miles of fence, restored 14,996 acres of public land and recruited 4,214 volunteers serving 9,582 hours on projects throughout Utah.
More information on UCC can be found at http://www.usu.edu/ucc.
Contact: Sean Damitz, Center for Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, 435-770-6104, sean.damitz@usu.edu
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