News : AmeriCorps NCCC Team Cedar 2 Serves on First Project in Iowa

By: Samantha Czerkas and Jacob Cherry, Corps Members

Cedar 2 is working with the Jackson County Conservation Board for their first project in Maquoketa, Iowa from March 17 – April 8.

Over the course of these three weeks Cedar 2 is putting in eight hour days working to improve the environment, increase animal and human public safety, help with disaster relief and other environmental issues.

Cedar 2 arrived Thursday March 17, where they were greeted by their sponsor, Ann Burns of the Hurstville Interpretive Center. Work began Friday, March 18 and continued on Monday, March 21 after a weekend off. Cedar 2 worked to reconstruct a bird viewing bridge over a marsh after it was lifted and shifted from a recent flood, redistributed misplaced gravel due to snow removal in the winter, constructed and installed a ceiling for a picnic area and helped distribute hay for the feeding and mating of swans.

On Tuesday, March 22, Cedar 2 was unable to perform outdoor tasks due to weather conditions; therefore they were divided into two groups to attend two schools in the county, Andrew Community School and Bellevue Elementary School. At the schools, Cedar 2 worked with various age groups of students, ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Tasks included working with students individually and in small groups with reading and word flash cards, spelling, art work and physical training. Also, Cedar 2 was able to assist teachers with bulletin boards throughout the school.

To date, Cedar 2 has already accomplished projects throughout Jackson County, and will continue to provide the Jackson County Conservation Board with a strong, excited team for any projects presented to the team.

Caption for picture:

Members of Cedar 2: first row Jacob Cherry, Michelle Penna, Samantha Czerkas, Christopher Bates and second row Hunter Duncan, Matthew Douglas, Kelly Mattingly (team leader), Brittney Berstrom, Rebecca Coleman.