Project Title: Employ YCC Enrollees (FFS #R5NC)

State: Virginia

Project Description: Twelve teenagers with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) recently helped complete two native plant demonstration gardens at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. The YCC crew, based out of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, gained hands-on experience this summer in wildlife conservation and environmental education. Funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enabled many refuge managers in the Northeast Region to double the size of their YCC crews this year.

The demonstration gardens at the Eastern Shore refuge are part of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program’s “Plant Eastern Shore Natives” campaign. According to Laura McKay, manager of the program, “Native plant gardens, like the pollinator garden at the refuge, are critical to the success of our campaign to increase native vegetation on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in order to improve both wildlife habitat and water quality…We needed the help of Recovery Act-funded groups like the Youth Conservation Corps to actually plant demonstration gardens so people can see how beautiful native plants could look on their own property. The site is not only a colorful showcase of native plant diversity, but may also stimulate new economic activity among local nursery and garden centers while improving our coastal environment.”

The project partners include the Service, Commonwealth of Virginia, The Nature Conservancy Virginia Coast Reserve, Partners for Wildlife Program, Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District and refuge volunteers.

Photos:

Click on the photo above to view Volume 1 of the photo gallery

Click on the photo above to view Volume 2 of the photo gallery

Press Release: Recovery Act Supports Youth Working for Wildlife at Virginia Refuges

Originally posted 08/10/2009