USU-Based Utah Conservation Corps Receives Department of Interior Funding
(left to right): USU-UCC Director Sean Damitz poses with UCC Project Coordinator Dave Bastian, U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally Jewel and Canyon Country Discovery Center Director Jake Deslauriers.
The Utah State University-based Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) will receive a portion of a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) youth initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards. American Express committed $5 million in spring 2015 to help the DOI reach its goal of one million volunteers on public lands annually, in partnership with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside Initiative.”
At an event held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in early August, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel announced the state of Utah would receive grants totaling $258,653 as part of initiative. Secretary Jewell highlighted the funding of a partnership between the YMCA and the UCC to provide for a UCC AmeriCorps member to be placed at the YMCA for the next two years to help facilitate volunteer recruitment and increase participation in outdoor programs in Salt Lake City.
“We’re very excited about private sector donors working with the government to allow more young Americans to gain valuable career experience, while at the same time preserving our nation’s incredible public lands,” said Sean Damitz, USU-UCC director.
At a national level the initiative plans to support efforts to engage youth through 21st century Conservation Service Corps programs such as the USU-based Utah Conservation Corps.
“When young people are given an opportunity to care for public lands, their experiences often inspire lifetime connections to their backyard parks and beyond,” said Secretary Jewell. “Volunteering opens doors to new and exciting career opportunities that can transform the personal lives of youth while benefiting the communities and special places they work to improve.”
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 the USU-based UCC may be found at its website.
Contact: Sean Damitz, USU Center for Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, (cell) 435-770-6104, sean.damitz@usu.edu
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