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Project Titles:
- Rehabilitate Loading Dock (FFS #R3GN)
- Replace Sand Creek Trail Bridge (FFS #R3GP)
- Employ 30 YCC Enrollees (FFS #R3NA*)
- Employ 6 Conservation Interns (FFS #R3NC*)
State: Minnesota
Project Description: The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota used nearly $240,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to repair infrastructure and to provide youth with summer employment opportunities. The funding provided was used for several projects, the largest being the replacement of a 30-foot pedestrian bridge across Sand creek in the Louisville Swamp area of the refuge, near Jordan, Minn. The bridge was destroyed by flooding and had to be closed because it was no longer safe to use. The bridge, the only one over Sand Creek, is part of a larger trail that connects to a state trail system. Once replaced in March 2010, the bridge completed the nearly five-mile Mazomani trail.
In addition to the bridge replacement, another infrastructure project was the repair of a loading dock at the refuge’s Bloomington visitor center. That project was completed in December 2009.
The refuge also benefited from nearly $17,000 of Recovery Act funds to hire youth as part of the Youth Conservation Corps and $7,500 to employ conservation interns. The Youth Conservation Corps program provides summer employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 18 and provides them an opportunity to work, earn, and learn by completing projects that further the development and conservation of the nation’s natural resources. The most important objective of the program is to take young adults from different social, economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds and place them in an environment where they can cultivate work, social, and educational skills.
For additional information about Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, visit the Minnesota Valley NWR and WMD website.
Photos:
 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar presents a partnership award to Steve Sutter, president of Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends, Inc. Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius (right) joined the Secretary and others for a tour of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. |
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News Releases:
*Projects R3NA and R3NC are Regionwide projects impacting multiple sites. Visit the Youth Employment in the Midwest Region project page to learn more about the youth employment projects taking place in this region.
Originally posted 08/10/2009
Updated 08/13/2009
Updated 06/01/2010
Updated 06/15/2010
Page Completed 11/09/2011
