Glacier Youth Corps launches

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, a volunteer partnership program supported by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Montana Conservation Corps, National Park Foundation and Glacier National Park, provides diverse work and educational opportunities for youth ages 15 to 24 in Glacier Park while supporting the completion of important park projects.

 The program began last summer, giving crew members a wide range of career paths at Glacier Park through immersive projects across several park divisions. Projects include trail maintenance, citizen science data collection, native plant restoration, historic structure maintenance, noxious weed control and backcountry shelter repair. Youth involved with this program have the opportunity to learn new skills and work alongside park staff.

“Glacier National Park contains a diverse body of skilled employees and this program provides a unique opportunity to work within a variety of park divisions,” Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said. “The participants gain varied skill sets and the park is able to complete significant projects. It is a mutually beneficial program.”

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership is 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.

For more information on the Montana Conservation Corps, visit http://mtcorps.org/.

 For more information about the Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, contact Glacier National Park’s volunteer coordinator Jessica Kusky at 888-7851, or the Glacier National Park Conservancy at 892-3250.

For more information about volunteering in Glacier Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm.