Long summer days are ahead, and Heart of Oregon Corps’ Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (COYCC) program has summer jobs for young people.
The organization boasts that this is a great opportunity for youth age 16 to 18 to gain job skills and learn more about natural resources while improving public lands and reducing the threat of wildfires in our community.
Sixty-five local youth will be selected for the competitive summer program and earn $15 an hour, working 36 hours a week. Hands-on projects in Central Oregon’s forests and high deserts include building trails, maintaining fences, piling hazardous fuels, restoring campgrounds and improving wildlife habitat on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and Crooked River National Grassland.
“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Heart of Oregon Corps to provide local jobs for Central Oregon youth,” said Shane Jeffries, Forest Supervisor, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. “The work they do not only provides job skills and training, but it also makes a significant difference on our public lands.”
This year, Heart of Oregon is establishing the program’s first LGBTQ and Tribal Youth affinity crews to break historical barriers in conservation. The crews aim to increase accessibility and representation on public lands while fostering transformative community experiences outdoors. Led by mentors who reflect the youths' identities, the crews connect with queer and indigenous mentors from the USFS, BLM and other organizations. Weekly topics, such as Queer History Outdoors or Tribal Practices on the land, are intended to foster cultural celebration and a sense of belonging, building a supportive network. This approach is meant to enable both collective and individual growth and empowerment for queer and indigenous youth.
The program runs from June 24 through Aug. 15. Members will work nine hours a day Monday through Thursday. Youth crews meet daily in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, La Pine, Crescent, Madras and Warm Springs. The goal is for youth to gain work experience, leadership skills and guided professional development, all while earning money and making friends.
Heart of Oregon Corps operates the Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council.
“The COYCC program not only helps the U.S. Forest Service accomplish mission critical work but also stimulates the regional economy by providing jobs and increases community involvement in public land management by engaging local youth,” said Christine Meyers, Deschutes National Forest Partnership Program Manager. “This program exemplifies the powerful impact organizations can have when working together.”
Applications must be received by May 1 and are available online at heartoforegon.org. For more information, contact the summer programs manager at madeline.cunningham@heartoforegon.org or Forest Service YCC Coordinator Nick Swagger at 541-480-0915.
Most Popular
Comments / 0