Category Archives: Faces of the 21CSC

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Jhon Joseph and Xavier Cruz of Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation is a 21CSC program operator. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

Jhon and Xavier are both entering their senior years in high school. John (right in photo above) has been a member of Southwest Boston CDC’s Hyde Park Green Team for the past 3 years and Xavier (left in photo above) for the past two.

The Hyde Park Green Team Youth Jobs and Environmental Education program employs 20-24 Hyde Park youth during the spring, summer and fall. Youth restore Hyde Park’s urban wilds, clean and beautify the Cleary/Logan Square business district and conduct outreach to residents and businesses to engage them in the process. Green Team participants learn landscaping skills and goat care, bicycle safety and safety in the woods. They learn about environmental careers, increase their knowledge of the Hyde Park community and its resources, and gain increased self-sufficiency through earned income. Through collaborative training sessions with area businesses and agencies youth also learn readiness skills including proper workplace conduct, conflict resolution, basic banking and money management, resume writing and interviewing.

This year Jhon and Xavier became full-fledged goatscapers. Last year the Green Team began using goats in Boston’s urban wilds as an efficient, cost effective, eco-friendly method of removing poison ivy and other invasive plants, making it safer and quicker for the Green Team to begin restoration projects.

Goats eat many invasive plants including Poison Ivy, Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose and Japanese Knotweed. But they will also eat native plants such as roses, saplings or the bark off grown trees. So goats are best used in areas with invasive plants that need to be removed, not in already landscaped areas.

As goatscapers, Jhon and Xavier provide fresh water each day, check the goats for health problems, treat minor injuries and provide supplemental grain or hay when necessary. The goats are enclosed in an electrified fence powered by a solar battery. One-two times per week (when the goats have eaten all the available invasive plants within the fence perimeter) Jhon and Xavier move and reset the electric fencing. This requires measuring out an area of approximately ¼ acre, clearing a path through brush where the fence will be set, staking the fence and attaching the solar battery. This is a challenging and time consuming job when the terrain is difficult, and especially when they accidentally disturb hidden wasp nest or when the one or more goats decide they do not want to cooperate. It takes stamina, creative thinking and team work to get the job done. Jhon and Xavier have proven to be capable goatscapers their first year doing the job. In total, the Green Team has worked with 13 goats this year in 3 separate herds.

Why did you join the Green Team?

Xavier: “I like to work outside doing physical activity. I also I like to work with a group. I feel good seeing the work we accomplish, and seeing that we come back stronger each year. Also, helping the community is important.

Jhon: I want to help the environment, keep the trees healthy. I also want people to be safe. I enjoy working with the group because we can ask questions and share our ideas about how to improve what we do.

How did you get to be goatscapers?

Jhon: I started as a crew member and was promoted because I did a good job.

Xavier: I stared as a crew member. I worked hard and stayed committed so got a promotion.

How do you like working with goats?

Xavier: This is my first time working with animals. It’s a great experience. The goats are easy, friendly, engaging. They become like family. Also I like the responsibility of caring for them. They are a big part of my life.

Jhon: Goats help make our restoration work go faster. It’s fun working with them and having a goatscaping partner. We figure out how to do things together.

What do you plan to do after high school?

Xavier: I plan to major criminal justice in college and become a Boston police officer.

Jhon: I plan to attend college. I haven’t yet decided what my major will be.

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Dale Thomas of American Conservation Experience

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). American Conservation Experience is a 21CSC program operator. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

American Conservation Experience is proud to showcase a former AmeriCorps member, Crew Leader, and United States Veteran, Dale Thomas.

Dale has had a long history of service. Not only in serving his community through volunteerism, but also serving his country. For 7 years Dale served with the Arizona Army National Guard, 819^th Engineer Company.

Joining the National Guard was the way he was going to help pay for his college tuition and do something meaningful with his life. Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Daniel Gomez and Leslie Susan Fuentes of Environment for the Americas

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). Environment for the Americas is a 21CSC program operator. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

Daniel Gomez, BLM California and Elkhorn Slough

My name is Daniel Gomez, and I am 25 years old. As a child I was fortunate enough to have been raised close to the beach so I often found myself running in the sand and gazing out into the ocean, amazed by its vastness. When it was time to leave the nest and go college I decided I wanted to explore the country so I headed off to the University of Pennsylvania where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science.

While my initial interests in college were in petroleum geology I soon returned to my first passion, water. After graduating I returned home wanting to learn about the water issues that plague Central California. Living in a highly agricultural area I found a job with the City of Salinas doing environmental planning that was specifically directed toward agricultural issues, however, I quickly realized that I wanted to be out in the field getting messy and doing research. Having learned that watershed health is dependent on more than just the physical properties related to it, I was ecstatic to find an internship program with Environment for the Americas that focuses on the birds that live in shallow water and mudflats. Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Radeanna Comb of Southwest Conservation Corps

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). Southwest Conservation Corps is a 21CSC program operator, and Radeanna Comb provided the following story. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

Hello, my name is Radeanna Comb. I am currently part of the Southwest Conservation Corps Ancestral Lands Crew #642. Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) has given me the opportunity to develop new skills to develop my leadership skills and learn strategic decision making. Crew 642 consists of four women and one male crew leader. We are a group of individuals that bonded together to work well as team. Our crew had the ability to prioritize our goal on completing tasks to eliminate all Russian Olive and Tamarisk trees in washes near Fort Defiance, AZ, on the Navajo Reservation. As a team, we have developed effective problem solving, self-awareness, effective decision making, learning agility, communication skills, multi-tasking, integrity, and likeability to complete our work tasks. Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Gaby Gerken of Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa is a 21CSC program operator. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

The following story was written by Gaby Gerken and was originally posted on the Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa website.

During my time with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa we have worked entirely with plants. We’ve cut buckthorn and cleared firebreaks, planted natives and picked weeds. It’s been great learning to identify things we haven’t seen or heard of before but one thing we have all been missing is wildlife.

That said, we have recently had the opportunity to rescue some animals! First there was the turtle incident at our work site next to a few lakes. Between the roar of the semi trucks we managed to save three painted turtles that were attempting to cross the road. Would they have made it on their own? Probably, but there is always the chance that they could have been accidentally (or intentionally…) run over and, trust me, seeing a crushed turtle could make you cry. Always break for the turtles and, if it’s safe, try stopping to help them across quick!

The second incident came when I found a monarch caterpillar. I’ve become a bit obsessed with saving them this year and I definitely have the Corps to thank for that. Months ago we stumbled upon a plant that we identified as milkweed. Technically it is a weed and does not belong in the rain gardens we were maintaining, but according to the invasive species handbooks we should take measures to leave it when possible. Across the U.S. monarchs are dying, probably the result of habitat loss due to urban sprawl and pesticides. Therefore, when we see milkweed we leave it.

Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Lydia Gallegos of New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg

L. to R. Lydia (holding Eli the Elk) with her fellow Crew Member Tabitha, and Program Coordinator Katie Sullivan at Bread Lock Park in Warren County, NJ.

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg is a 21CSC program operator. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

Lydia Gallegos had never heard of New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg before dropping out of high school, but it seemed appealing to her once she learned about it. She could earn her diploma, get help finding a job, and get help getting her driver’s license – everything she was looking to do. Since joining the Corps, Lydia has also discovered that the Corps helped her with some of the challenges she faced in public high school.

Lydia explains that “One of the biggest problems I dealt with was my social anxiety. I had trouble dealing with crowds of people. When I came here I was surprised to find out classes are smaller. This was great for me- it wasn’t overwhelming. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve really gotten to know my fellow classmates and make friends. Also, the staff are great too. Everyone on the staff work so great together and just fit perfectly.”

In addition to earning her High School Equivalency (HSE) while at the Corps, Lydia has gained a significant amount of experience with different kinds of work. Over her time at the Corps, Lydia has helped mow grass, build trails, complete tasks at an organic farm, and has worked on aquatic restoration projects while putting her recently obtained “Waders in the Water” credential to use after participating in the two-day training in April earlier this year. Of all the things Lydia has done through the Corps, her favorite moment is pretty definitive. She notes “My favorite project that I worked on was the First Book sorting we did in conjunction with our sister NJYC program at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, NJ. It sounded so simple, you know? Sorting books to be distributed to children in need – it’s such a small act, but I feel that I helped make a huge difference in each child’s life that those books reached. It felt great to be a part of that!” Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Chris Wilson of Community Training Works’ Young American Conservation Corps

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here.

Chris Wilson had a history of wanting to protect natural resources. He completed 1700 AmeriCorps hours for the Florida Conservation Corps where he surveyed and eradicated invasive species and also assessed and repaired trails in the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee.

Chris wanted some additional training, so he joined the Community Training Works/Young American Conservation Corps (CTW/YACC) in Melbourne Beach, Florida, a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps operator. He assessed and repaired bridges and boardwalks over streams & marshes and also assessed and repaired trails. During his seven month stint at CTW/YACC he took the Waders in the Water (WitW) aquatic restoration and green jobs training class offered by Trout Headwaters, Inc. in partnership with The Corps Network. He earned the certification and enjoyed the course as part of his Corps experience. Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Michelle DiMeglio of Maine Conservation Corps

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here. The following story was provided by Maine Conservation Corps, a 21CSC program operator.

The Maine Conservation Corps’ Alumni are spread far and wide and often continue to work in conservation long after their time with us is done. Recently the MCC heard from Michelle DiMeglio whose life has been shaped by AmeriCorps and the MCC in many positive ways. Michelle currently works as a Youth Program Assistant for The Corps Network in partnership with the National Park Service. Her program works to expand opportunities for youth in National Parks.

Michelle was first drawn to the MCC due to its Trail Training Program. Having previously served with trail crews in California and Arizona, she wanted to gain more experience as a leader. The MCC’s training program prepared her for work with chainsaws, griphoist equipment, and the dynamics of leading a field crew. She was also certified as a Wilderness First Responder. She came away from the program with the skills and confidence to lead. Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Shonto Greyeyes of Arizona Conservation Corps

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here. The following story was provided by Arizona Conservation Corps, a 21CSC program operator.

In his orange hard hat and well-worn work pants, Shonto Greyeyes leads an AmeriCorps crew of six local teens in the Youth Conservation Corps in Prescott, AZ as part of Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC). Shonto is serving his second term as a YCC mentor as follow up to experiences on the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition crew with AZCC, a term of service with Montana Conservation Corps, and an individual placement internship with Coconino National Forest. Shonto sees his responsibility to give back to his community, and he aspires to lead an inter-tribal crew that serves Arizona’s ancestral lands and native communities.

Shonto recognizes the challenge of straddling two worlds: the traditional knowledge of his Diné culture and the opportunities of the 21^st century. Shonto grew up in the border town of Flagstaff, AZ after his family made the decision to move off of the Navajo Reservation, the largest reservation in the U.S. which reaches into three states.

Continue reading →

Faces of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps: Ashley of Operation Fresh Start

This summer we plan to highlight several of the participants in the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. To view all Faces of the 21CSC stories, please click here. The following story was provided by Operation Fresh Start, a 21CSC program operator based in Madison, Wisconsin. It was written by Ashley.

Since I dropped out of high school, I’ve been to three different high schools. None of those high schools worked out for my needs. I had no support from anyone…The only thing I had was my animals. I thought I had friends. I found out they just brought me down more. Those friends had no goals or motivation. All they wanted to do was party.

One of my friends told me about a great program called Operation Fresh Start. I looked more into the program and thought it would be a great place to go. I went to the interview so nervous wondering if they would even let me into the program. A few weeks went on after the interview and I got a call saying that ‘ I’m in’ and needed to come in to have a meeting with my soon to be supervisor. At the meeting we talked about what we would be doing. I knew this was where I needed to be. Continue reading →