Glacier Youth Corps Partnership program begins

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, a new volunteer program supported by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Montana Conservation Corps, National Park Foundation and Glacier National Park, provides diverse work and educational opportunities in the Park for youths 15-24 years old while supporting the completion of important Park projects.

The program began this summer. Montana Conservation Corps crew members were exposed to a wide-range of career paths at the Park. Projects included trail maintenance, citizen science data collection, native plant restoration, historic structure maintenance, noxious weed control and backcountry shelter repair.

Youths involved with this program have the opportunity to learn new skills and work alongside staff from the Park’s fire management office, maintenance crews and the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center.

“Glacier National Park depends on dedicated volunteers to help with projects that would not be completed without them,” Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said. “This program is a great example of partners pooling resources and working together to not only deliver tangible results for the Park, but also provide educational opportunities to the next generation of Park stewards.”

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership is currently a two-year pilot program. Due to the generosity of many donors, the Glacier National Park Conservancy was able to contribute $55,000 to fund the first year of the program. The National Park Foundation awarded the program a matching grant of $55,000 to fund the second year. Future funding availability and continued interest from involved partners will determine the program’s longevity after two years.

Future endeavors of the Glacier Youth Corps Partnership include incorporating a mentoring component in which Glacier Youth Corps Partnership members mentor visiting youth groups that come to Glacier National Park as part of Citizen Science High School and Discover Glacier Education programs.

For more information, call Jessica Kusky at 406-888-7851 or the Glacier National Park Conservancy at 406-892-3250. For more information about volunteering, visit online at www.nps.gov/glac/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm.