Last week, Groundwork Cincinnati-Mill Creek youth worked alongside Bill Scripp, a Recreation Technician from the Athens Ranger District on the Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio. In this picture, youth are learning how to build a footbridge at Utah Pond near Nelsonville, Ohio.

This story and photos provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

In support of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC), the Wayne National Forest and Groundwork Cincinnati-Mill Creek, a nonprofit organization is one of several organization across the nation selected as an important partner in standing up the 21CSC, a collaborative effort to put America’s youth and veterans to work protecting, restoring and enhancing America’s great outdoors.

The partnership includes multiple opportunities over the next several months for Wayne National Forest employees to connect with young people on the Forest and at Groundwork Cincinnati-Mill Creek. Several young people are accomplishing meaningful work, and gaining important personal and professional skills, while building a lifelong connection to the outdoors.