Youth Conservation Teams

YCT NEWS

In its inaugural 2011 season Ohio River Foundation’s Youth Conservation Team program was a resounding success.  More than $35,000 was saved by Hamilton and Clermont County Park Districts by utilizing the manpower provided by the high school student teams. 

In just six weeks, the students successfully completed 49 habitat conservation projects in the Great Miami and Little Miami River Watersheds.  By the end of the summer, the teams had:

  • Planted 720 trees, shrubs, small plants, and grasses
  • Installed 2,850 sq. ft. of deer-resistant fencing
  • Hand-placed 4.5 tons of stone
  • Constructed water bars to divert stormwater
  • Installed 100 ft. of 6-inch pipe to reduce runoff

 “This was a highly successful work-study program, whereby students performed important conservation projects and then spent time with scientists and experts from the natural resource and academic fields for in-depth learning about habitat protection,” said Rich Cogen, Executive Director, Ohio River Foundation. 

Chris Clingman, Director, Clermont County Park District added, “The YCT constructed much needed erosion control measures at Shor Park. After the extremely wet spring, several of the trails were eroding and soil was washing into Avey’s Run. The YCT repaired and stabilized the trails which are very popular with area residents.”

The 10 high school students selected from 55 applicants were: Tony Losekamp (McNicholas), Noah Yasgur (Sycamore), Hailey Rolfes (William Henry Harrison), Taylor Batty (Madeira), Andrew Uetrecht (Gamble Montessori), BenPoehlmann (Roger Bacon), Dylan Calahan (Clark Montessori), Dawn Thomas (St. Ursula), Caroline Dill (McNicholas), Quinn Moore (Fayetteville-Perry).

2011 Program Report (including photos)       VIDEO Interview

About YCT

This stewardship program, existing in other parts of the country, is the first of its kind in the 8-state Ohio River watershed. It leverages the resources and connections of ORF throughout the region in areas of education, restoration, and resource management. This project fills a huge void in local manpower necessary to support local on-the-ground conservation work. Led by a Crew Leader, the student team(s) employ Best Management Practices (BMPs) to install conservationprojects that help to improve water quality.

Government budgets continue to contract as recession and unemployment factors continue to diminish the available funds for resource protection.  Soil erosion, stormwater runoff, and invasive species (plants) are well known problems plaguing our local and regional habitat.  Many such sites exist on project partner properties. Targeting specific sites with this type of focused team effort has been demonstrated, and found to be effective, in other parts of the country. 

Over a six-week period during the summer, crews work 6hrs/day 5 days/wk* to install conservation projects that reduce erosion and runoff in the target subwatershed.  With the aid only of handtools, crews engage in potential projects that may include planting trees and shrubs along streams and lakeshores; removing winter sand from ditches, culverts, and settling basins; rock lining ditches and culverts, and installing water bars and other diversions to direct water from dirt roads and paths to vegetated areas.

*There is also an educational component to the program. Local expert scientists, professors, and educators supplement the students’ labor work one half-day/wk with information and hands-on instruction relative to the watershed protection and restoration work being performed.  


What does it take to be a crew member? Continue reading below.


Crew Member Qualifications:

  • Ability to engage in strenuous, physical work
  • Willingness and ability to travel to job sites in Greater Cincinnati
  • Interest in environmental issues
  • Hard worker with a positive attitude
  • 16 years of age or older, or ability to obtain a work permit

All YCT work is done by hand, without the assistance of machinery. 

Compensation: $8.00 per hour

Crew Work Sessions: Two sessions - Summer 2012 - check back in March 2012 for dates.  Applicants may chose to work one or both sessions.

To Apply: Complete the application (application will be available by March 30) and email it to rcogen@ohioriverfdn.org or mail it to:
Ohio River Foundation
P.O. Box 42460
Cincinnati, OH  45242

All applications must be received by 5pm EST, Friday, April 27, 2012.