The Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps SYEP Best Practices- Green Jobs Indiana

Agency Partnership The Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps (YHCC) was a program designed by Governor Mitch Daniels that would provide a lasting value to the State of Indiana through the creation of jobs and completion of park projects. Formed through a cooperative partnership between the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Program Overview May 1- September 30; later extended to October 16 Five (5) Start Dates 16 weeks of employment available to in-school and out-of-school youth $8.50/hour for all participants Over 75 DNR worksites Variety of job duties Extensive participant monitoring

DNR Worksites State Parks Historic Sites Reservoirs Recreational Areas Fish & Wildlife Sites State Forests Nature Preserves

Program Overview Online application process through state website WorkOne (DWD) and DNR supervisors conducted joint youth interviews Positions were matched with youth skills: - Labor - Gate Attendants/Cashiers, Visitor Services - Administration/Office - Naturalists/Educators

Orientation Overview 1 Day Orientation held at WorkOne office or DNR Property Included all State Employee policies, welcome message from Governor Daniels, supervisor and worksite expectations, work readiness goals, overview of WorkOne services, and available DNR career pathways Conducted jointly by DNR and WorkOne staff Youth received on-site workplace and equipment safety on Day 2

DNR Green Career Pathways Biologists They study plants, wildlife and fish to learn more about habits and habitat, and help determine how fishing and hunting laws should be established and when animals should not be hunted and plants should be protected.

DNR Green Career Pathways Preservation Specialists & Archeologists Preservation specialists care for and restore important buildings and structures that help staff understand Indiana’s past. Archaeologists and their aides carefully investigate sites for evidence of Native Americans and other cultures before construction or other changes to the landscape take place.

DNR Green Career Pathways Foresters Foresters survey and measure timber, manage state forests, and help private landowners manage their woodlands.

DNR Green Career Pathways Labor staff members are the backbone of property operations. They mow grass, paint, repair trails and buildings, assist with events, keep equipment running, and much more to keep DNR sites looking good. Property Laborers Labor staff members are the backbone of property operations. They mow grass, paint, repair trails and buildings, assist with events, keep equipment running, and much more to keep DNR sites looking good.

DNR Green Career Pathways Naturalists and educators provide visitors, teachers and students with programs and information about the plants, wildlife, water, soils, the DNR and properties where they work. Naturalists & Educators Naturalists and educators provide visitors, teachers and students with programs and information about the plants, wildlife, water, soils, the DNR and properties where they work.

DNR Green Career Pathways Property managers and assistant managers are in charge of the resources, people and facilities at a state property. It’s a big job and every day is different! Property Managers and Assistants Property managers and assistant managers are in charge of the resources, people and facilities at a state property. It’s a big job and every day is different!

YHCC Completed Projects 1932 youth employed at DNR worksites 750 projects completed at more than 75 DNR properties Constructed more than 30 miles of new trails Rehabilitated 500 miles of existing trails Constructed 15 new buildings Renovated and repaired 380 existing buildings Rehabilitated 50 historic buildings Treated or removed 5,000 acres of invasive species

YHCC Completed Green Projects Invasive Species Removal Youth completed this ongoing project at many state parks and recreational areas across the state. Includes removal of non- native species such as Autumn Olive, Bush Honeysuckle, and Purple Loosestrife. Removal of these plants allows re-growth of native plants.

YHCC Completed Green Projects Trail Work - Constructed new trails for persons with disabilities - Leveled trail grade with use of recycled materials - Constructed mountain bike trails

YHCC Completed Green Projects Bridge Construction Youth worked with Property Managers to construct new bridges at several parks including Clifty Falls, Shakamak, Falls of the Ohio and others. The Hoffman Bridge at Clifty Falls State Park was constructed using recycled materials from Hurricane Katrina, and also taught the youth planning and building skills using Egyptian transportation methods.

YHCC Completed Green Projects Habitat Improvement, Seed Collection & Erosion Control

YHCC Completed Green Projects Building Rehabilitation and Construction

YHCC Completed Green Projects Rehabilitation of CCC Structures and Fire Towers

YHCC Youth 1433 youth completed work readiness goal 304 youth attained full-time or part-time positions during or after YHCC program 348 youth enrolled in post-secondary school or training programs during or after YHCC program

The Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps