The Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps has been awarded more than $40,000 through the federal Department of Agriculture and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The award is part of a larger, $6.7 million block of grants used to support youth employment opportunities on public lands across the country.
The Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps has been awarded more than $40,000 through the federal Department of Agriculture and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The award is part of a larger, $6.7 million block of grants used to support youth employment opportunities on public lands across the country.
The award, totaling $41,768, will allow the Corps to provide a seven-week conservation work opportunity for five youths during the summer of 2015.
“The youth crew will work outdoors learning the principles of natural resource stewardship while gaining valuable experience, knowledge, and job skills,” reads a press release. “The youth will engage in watershed restoration, surveying, native species planting, and clearing areas of invasive weeds to establish a more desirable habitat for native plant and wildlife across 83,961 acres of land with benefits for endangered birds, bats, and plant life.”
Project activities will take place on the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, established to conserve endangered forest birds and their habitats that are now being threatened by invasive exotic plants, animals, and disease.