Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Helps with Environmental Restoration

The motivated team, Oak 2, that is part of AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), has been thrilled to lend a few helping hands to the US National Fish and Wildlife Service with prescribed wild land fires, invasive plant management and public outreach of environmental education since May 19. Oak 2 is wrapping up their project this week in Wisconsin and returning to Vinton on June 30.

From May 19 until the middle of June, Oak 2 worked with the staff at the Necedah NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) concentrating a majority of their time eliminating hazardous fire fuels adjacent to rural communities. A goal for the team was to manage a total of 2500 acres of land in the Great Central Wisconsin Swamp area.

At the close of the burn season, Oak 2 began to rotate through a series of other refuge programs assisting where work needed to be accomplished. “We have gone through a ton of training in preparation for handling this project,” NCCC member Katie Singleton said when referring to the time spent in extensive fire, chainsaw and other training courses. They completed a collective total of over 800 training hours oriented toward environmental stewardship and to put their practices to good use for the betterment of the Necedah community.

Previously Oak 2 worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in western North Dakota and the team was excited to have another opportunity to work on environmental conservation. “Our experience with the US Fish and Wildlife Service was incredible and we are all delighted to continue the positive experience,” said Singleton. The NCCC team was located at Des Lacs NWR from March 28 until May 14, 2011 conducting prescribed burns in the Souris River Basin Complex. They also put up fencing, performed chainsaw work and presented to science classes in the local community about fire. In addition to these tasks, when the weather was not conducive to burning, the team assisted in restoration from tornado damage that occurred in the community of Kenmare.