Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
348834009
label
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Oregon
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
348834009
contentType
document
title
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Oregon
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of National Service (Clinton Administration)
AmeriCorps Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
348834009
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
311842741-20130661F-Seg3-081-005-2023
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
78edf420f0524cff
ocrText
FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
(3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24236
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps-Oregon
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
7
1
SEP-30-1996 09:40
P.01
ENVIROLORPS
OPTIONAL FORM 99 (7-90)
FAX TRANSMITTAL
# of pages
/
To
Dept./Agency Joel Beig
From Eaun Rains
Phone #
USDA
Fax #
Fax # 503/231-6186
NSN 202/720-4614
5099-101
503/231-2271 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
TO: Joel Berg, Larry Holmes, Dee DiFore, Gayle Norman
FR: Eann Rains, EnviroCorps Program Coordinator ZAR
RE: Reconfiguration of member slots for program year 1996-97
DT: September 30, 1996
For the upcoming program year, EnviroCorps would like to make a change in the
distribution of full-time and part-time member slots. I believe the program proposal that
was sent in for 1996-97 states that we would have 10 full-time slots and six part-time
slots under OR X41B, and two full-time team leader slots under OR Y41A. In looking at
the type of work we want to do in the program this year, we would like to change it to
eight full-time and 10 part-time slots under OR X41B, and leave it at two full-time slots
under OR Y41A. This will have no effect on the dollars paid out in education awards
and living stipends. It will save some money on health insurance coverage.
I am asking for your approval of this change before I bring on new members. I would
like to know that there is an adequate number of education award slots set aside for my
program before we get started. (There have been some unresolved issues around the
number of education awards we were slated for during the 1995-96 program year,
which has caused a worrisome delay in the issuance of education awards to four of our
members who completed their service during the past year. I want to prevent similar
problems for the new people.)
Please call or send me approval of this plan as soon as you can. If there are any
questions or if I need to follow a different procedure for gaining approval of this plan,
please let me know.
I may be reached at 503/231-6186 (phone), 503/231-2271 (fax), or at the address
below.
Thank you very much for your attention.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
2115 SE Morrison Street # 201
Portland, OR 97214
503/725-5588 FAX 503/231-2271
TOTAL P.01
ENVIROCORPS
TO: FR: Eann Dee DiFore Rains EAR
RE: Letters I have sent to Congressional offices
DT: October 18, 1996
I am sending out EnviroCorps program reports to Congressional staff, along with cover letters
that refer (vaguely) to our funding situation. I am enclosing a copy of the typical letter, a copy
of the program report, and a list of the people the letters and reports are going to. I have not
had any conversations with Congressional staff. A former EnviroCorps member called a
bunch of offices today, and the staff person at Sen. Wyden's office sounded interested. I think
the chair of the East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District is making calls,
too.
I understand that Joel Berg wants to know the names of Congressional staff who have been
contacted. Please forward this information on to him.
Thanks.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
2115 SE Morrison Street
Portland, OR 97214
503/231.6186 FAX 503/231-2271
Congressional Delegation
1996
President Clinton
House Speaker Newt Gingrich
The White House
Room H-233, The Capitol
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20515
Washington, DC 20500
Ph: (202) 225-0600
Ph: (202) 456-1414
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Sen. Mark Hatfield, R-Ore
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore
711 Hart Senate Office Building
(Genoval
259 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
staff)
Washington, DC 20510
in
Ph: (202) 224-3753
Ph: (202) 224-5244
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon St. Suite 1420 AmenCorgs Ann warner
500 NE Multnomah, Suite 320
Attn:
Portland, OR 97232
Portland, OR 97204
Ph: (503) 326-7525
Jane w (Americones)
Ph: (503) 326-3386
Rep. Elizabeth Furse, D-Ore, 1st District
Rep. Peter DeFazio - D-Ore, 4th District
316 Cannon House Office Building
2134 Rayburn House Office
Washington, DC 20515
Portlank ofc Ann
Building
Ph: (202) 225-0855
Washington, DC 20515
E-mail: [email protected]
Ph: (202) 225-6416
Jones
E-mail: [email protected]
860 Montgomery Park
2701 NW Vaughn
151 W. 7th
Portland, OR 97201
Eugene, OR 97401
Ph: (503) 326-2901
Ph: (541) 465-6732
Rep. Wes Cooley - R-Ore, 2nd District:
Rep. Jim Bunn : R-Ore, 5th District:
1609 Longworth Office Building
1517 Longworth Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: (202) 225-6730
Ph: (202) 225-5711
E-mail: [email protected]
259 Barnett Rd Suite E
Medford, OR 97501
738 Hawthorne Ave NE
Ph: (541)776-4646
Salem, OR 97301
Ph: (503) 588-9100
Rep. Earl Blumenauer - D-Ore,
3rd District:
1111 Longworth Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: (202) 225-4811
500 NE Multnomah, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: (503) 231-2300
Chrishne staff Egan wl Awkicays deals
ENVIROCORPS
October 18, 1996
Christine Egan
Reg Earl Blumenaver
3rd District Congressional Office
500 NE Multnomah, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232
Dear Ms. Egan:
EnviroCorps is a USDA AmeriCorps program that does environmental education and
environmental restoration/enhancement work around the Portland area. We recently
completed our second program year. We are hoping to begin a third year soon, if the USDA
receives approval to continue using its funds for AmeriCorps work.
I am enclosing a report on EnviroCorps's activities for the 1995-96 program year. Please
review it and pass it on to Congressman Blumenauer. I think it shows that a group of 18
AmeriCorps members can have a significant impact, accomplishing tasks that government and
community organizations do not always have the resources to take on. EnviroCorps has
worked with numerous neighborhood associations, public schools, watershed groups, local soil
and water conservation districts, Metro Parks and Greenspaces, Portland Parks and
Recreation, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Portland State University, and other folks to teach adults and children
the practical benefits of taking care of the natural environment of the Portland area. As a
result, we have a stronger community and a more pleasant and healthful place in which to live.
If you or Congressman Blumenauer would like to visit some EnviroCorps project sites, or if
either of you would like to hear more about the program and what we hope to accomplish in
the next year, feel free to call me at 503/231-6186 or 503/231-2270. If it would be useful, I can
also give you some information on the issues surrounding the future of USDA AmeriCorps
programs.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,
EaRe
Eann Rains
Program Coordinator
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
2115 SE Morrison Street
Portland, OR 97214
503/231.61 FAX 503/231-2271
Report on the Activities of EnviroCorps, 1995-96
EnviroCorps is a USDA AmeriCorps program that has just finished its second year of
operation. The focus of the program is to provide on-the-ground community service and
hands-on environmental education in Portland and surrounding areas. We partner with a host
of local community groups in an effort to restore the natural environment of the Columbia
Slough, streams, ponds, wetlands, public parks, greenspaces, school grounds, and even
vacant lots located in the middle of neighborhoods. Our work is community driven, responding
to the needs of adults and youth and involving them in the planning and implementation of a
variety of projects to make Portland a more enjoyable place in which to live.
The purpose of this report is to give you an idea of the scope of services EnviroCorps has
provided in the past year. We believe it shows that when people join together, they can have
a powerful effect on their communities.
Statistics Related to the EnviroCorps Community Service Objectives, 1995-96
Created and implemented ten service learning projects for youth participation.
Led 1159 students on service learning projects, with 90% gaining knowledge.
Gave presentations on conservation/environmental education to 361 students, with 90%
gaining knowledge.
Recruited 1795 volunteers to do environmental activities, with 100% participation.
Led or worked alongside 1931 volunteers, for 9371 hours of community service.
Filled 2000 sandbags during the February floods to protect public buildings.
Completed seven conservation plans and implemented all of them.
Removed non-native, invasive plants from 15 acres of land to improve the survival rate of
native plants.
Installed 20 physical measures to conserve soil or protect water quality, with 95% landowner
satisfaction.
Installed physical measures on 70 acres to improve wildlife habitat, meeting professional
standards for installation.
Restored/improved 23 acres of ponds and wetlands, with 90% of the area meeting
professional standards for the work done.
Improved one mile of the Columbia Slough.
Improved two miles of riparian habitat, with a 90% decrease in erosion.
Maintained/rehabilitated one fourth of a mile of streambank to reduce erosion, with an 80%
reduction in the rate of soil erosion.
Rehabilitated seven miles of nature/hiking trails, meeting professional standards.
Propagated or salvaged 24,000 plants, with an 80% survival rate.
Planted 3367 trees and shrubs, meeting professional standards for installation.
Maintained (mulched, weeded, watered) 50 acres of plantings, for a survival rate of 85% after
six months.
Canvassed 10,326 homes in Portland to encourage homeowners to disconnect their
downspouts (within City guidelines) to reduce sewage overflow and water pollution.
Disconnected downspouts from 378 homes for the Portland Combined Sewer Overflow
Program, passing inspection at a rate of over 95%.
Examples of Community Service Work
EnviroCorps has worked with Portland Public Schools, Washington County Educational
Service District, Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces, Portland Parks and Recreation, the
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Combined Sewer Overflow Program, local soil and
water conservation districts, numerous "friends" groups (such as Friends of Smith and Bybee
Lakes, and FANS of Fanno Creek), neighborhood associations, and boys and girls clubs,
among others.
An example of our work is the removal of invasive non-native plants that choke out desirable
native vegetation. Compared to non-natives, native plants provide a more consistent source of
food for wildlife, put down roots that do a better job of controlling soil erosion, and, because
they are more resistant to pests, disease, and drought, require less maintenance. Examples of
harmful non-native plants are Himalayan blackberries (very prevalent in this area), English ivy,
purple loosestrife, teasel, and nightshade. The work EnviroCorps does involves a) removing
non-natives; b) preparing sites for upcoming plantings of native vegetation; c) planting natives
appropriate to the soil, water, and light conditions; and c) saving native vegetation from the
competition of returning invasives. The sites we renovated and/or maintained include Smith
and Bybee Lakes, Whitaker Ponds, Bybee Howell, Delta Park, Blue Lake Park, Fairview
Creek, and a strip of land behind a business on Columbia Blvd. (all impacting the Columbia
Slough), along with Oxbow Park, the Springwater Corridor Trail, and an area along the Tualatin
River in West Linn. We also saved 296 mature trees at Lewis and Clark College by chopping
English ivy vines away from their trunks.
This summer, EnviroCorps members took on a new type of project. During the floods last
February, a hill on the edge of the Lewis and Clark College campus experienced a landslide.
The hill has a steep slope about as long as a football field. Trees and English ivy were
washed out as a large volume of water cascaded down the hill toward a house. With technical
assistance and a design developed by a private environmental consulting firm, the
EnviroCorps team installed cross-slope drains to divert seeping underground water and
rainwater, laid jute netting to stabilize the slope, and planted 150 native trees and shrubs
whose root systems will hold the soil better than the English ivy did. The members had never
worked on a landslide before. They found it to be a fun and challenging learning experience.
Examples of Community Building
Over the course of the year, EnviroCorps has had ample opportunity to work with adults and
youth in a variety of settings. Our responsibilities have included teaching student and adult
citizens about the water pollution caused by Portland's overburdened sewer system, asking
residents what kinds of improvements they would like to see in their neighborhoods, leading
groups in planting native trees and shrubs, and working alongside volunteers on trail
improvement and trash cleanup projects. Some volunteers have gone on to train others in the
application of effective land stewardship practices. EnviroCorps continues to work with new
people who, in turn, train others. The entire community benefits from these efforts.
One EnviroCorps team spent nine months at Portland's new Environmental Middle School,
working with 125 students to develop projects of an educational and community service nature.
Toward the end of the academic year, as the planned projects were winding down, the
students continued to think up new projects they wanted to try. Over the summer, six of the
students worked with us in the LINKS project, assisting us in providing environmental service
learning to disadvantaged elementary school students at a day camp. Others got their families
involved in maintaining the garden that the EMS students and EnviroCorps members had
designed and installed on the EMS schoolground. Two boys who had visited a botanical
garden in Portland with their class during the school year decided on their own to return to the
garden several times during the summer to help out. EnviroCorps helped foster the spirit of
volunteerism in many EMS students: a spirit that will extend beyond EnviroCorps's projects
and will likely last long into the future.
A Few Success Stories
This summer, in the LINKS project, EnviroCorps members spent two days a week providing
environmental education and service learning opportunities to 20 children (in grades K-4) from
one of Portland's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. One of the LINKS children was Max, a
five year old with quick wits and boundless energy who, during a trip to the zoo, required the
constant attention of two adults just to keep him from wandering into trouble. We learned little
about Max's home life other than that his mother was in and out of jail on drug-related charges
during the six weeks of the LINKS program. Most of the other LINKS kids had home lives no
better than Max's. When the program ended, we were glad to see that Max was still with us
and smiling. We were proud to know that, at the very least, we helped provide a caring and
consistent environment for children like Max to learn and grow over the summer, and, at best,
we helped create an experience that will shape these young lives long into the future.
The City of Portland's Combined Sewer Overflow Downspout Disconnection Program,
designed to remove sewer water from our river system, has disconnected downspouts from
over 1000 homes. There has been a high level of community volunteer involvement in the two
years since the program's inception. EnviroCorps has worked closely with the CSO program,
educating school and youth groups, canvassing neighborhoods to inform homeowners about
the issues, and training and assisting volunteers on disconnection days. All told, because of
the work of city staff, volunteers, and EnviroCorps, literally millions of gallons per year of
stormwater/household sewage mix have been removed from the Columbia Slough and the
Columbia River. The Downspout Disconnection Program continues to expand, and
EnviroCorps plans to carry on its role in improving out water quality.
For our summer youth program this year, we partnered with Portland Opportunities
Industrialization Center (an alternative school in Northeast Portland) and The Private Industry
Council (the local Job Training Partnership Act employment training program). The program
design was for youth to spend three weeks in the classroom at POIC and three weeks doing
community service field work with EnviroCorps. Most of the youth were exposed to the woods
and outdoor work for the first time. One of the things that particularly impressed them was the
fact that the EnviroCorps members worked so hard in the sweltering heat, even though the
AmeriCorps stipend comes out to a rate that is lower than the pay the youth received.
Early in the program year, one team helped design and organize the building of a garden at
the Environmental Middle School. After the program year ended, vandals broke the windows
in the shed, knocked over interpretive signs, chopped down two trees, and destroyed several
flowering plants. The staff of the school and parents of students quickly worked to restore the
garden as much as possible. We are glad to see a project we started be sustained by the
community for whom it was aimed.
An example of the continued community involvement of EnviroCorps members is Ann Ledo.
Since ending her year of service with EnviroCorps, Ann has found three part-time jobs, all
related to community service and all inspired by her role with EnviroCorps. She is teaching art
and mosaic tiling to middle school students and working with disabled youth through the school
district. Ann is beginning her senior year as an education major at the University of Portland.
She is keeping the EnviroCorps spirit with her as she moves on in the world.
National AmeriCorps Identity Activities
EnviroCorps's partnership with the Environmental Middle School garnered national recognition
and gave us the third place award at the National Service and Education Partnerships for
Success Symposium.
EnviroCorps took the lead on the National Day of Service in the Portland area, organizing a
massive tree planting that involved over 150 community members and 100 AmeriCorps
volunteers at the Fairview Creek Headwaters in Gresham, OR, on April 27, 1996.
The LINKS project this summer drew together members of three AmeriCorps programs:
EnviroCorps, Friend of Children, and the Foster Grandparents. They provided a six-week
educational day camp in southeast Portland for at risk five through eleven year olds. The
partnerships proved an unqualified success with each of the AmeriCorps programs bringing
the strength of its experience to the project.
In July, EnviroCorps participated in a day of community service with Northwest Service
Academy, which is another AmeriCorps program. Together, we built a playground structure for
an elementary school in Milwaukie. It was a fun day that demonstrated the work of
AmeriCorps to many people.
AmeriCorps Member Development
The EnviroCorps members had a positive experience and came away with a greater sense of
responsibility as a citizen and commitment to community involvement. Every member has a
new sense of what volunteerism means and how to involve others or inspire them to
community service. Several members had an amazing increase in their own work ethic and
how to be a model citizen. And many members are already enrolled in community college,
universities, graduate school, or the Army Reserve.
Training
The program coordinator and team leaders have attended AmeriCorps- and USDA-sponsored
training regarding facilitative leadership, conflict resolution, and workforce diversity.
Specific training we would like to offer EnviroCorps members next year includes:
First aid/CPR
Disaster relief
Safety on the job
Identification of poisonous plants
Team building activities
Leadership training for all members
Handling hazardous materials
Transitioning from AmeriCorps to a career
Resume/cover letter writing
Networking, job placement
Sponsorship and Funding
The major sponsors of EnviroCorps are the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the US
Department of Agriculture, Metro Regional Government, Portland State University, and the
East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Funding for EnviroCorps comes from federal and local sources. These include:
Corporation for National and Community Service:
education
awards
(post-service)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service:
member stipends
Metro Regional Government:
program coordinator position
Local partnership agreements:
operating exp. (vans, tools, etc.)
Local partners contribute to EnviroCorps by reimbursing program costs in exchange for
services we provide. Partners in the 1995-96 program year included the Portland Bureau of
Environmental Services, Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Halton Tractor Co.,
Washington County Education Service District, City of West Linn Parks and Recreation
Department, the engineering firm Dames and Moore, West Multnomah County Soil and Water
Conservation District, and FANS of Fanno Creek.
As of this writing (October 16, 1996), the USDA has not received Congressional approval to
continue its sponsorship of AmeriCorps programs for a new program cycle. Once this issue is
resolved, EnviroCorps will know the status of its USDA NRCS funding and will either begin the
1996-97 program year or will meet with its sponsors and partners to explore contingency plans
for funding the program.
In anticipation of a new program year to begin this fall, we have tentatively hired two new team
leaders. The East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District has agreed to
make them temporary District employees for the time being. (If the USDA funding issue comes
to a positive resolution, they will enroll as AmeriCorps members and go off the District payroll.)
Conclusion
EnviroCorps is a dynamic organization that provides opportunities for individuals to earn
financial aid for college or vocational school while they perform service to communities in the
Portland area. Through its focus on environmental education and environmental restoration,
EnviroCorps gives students and community members avenues for learning together and
working together to reduce pollution, enhance recreational opportunities, and restore the
natural beauty and habitat of their neighborhoods and public lands. The quantitative and
qualitative impacts of the program will benefit the community for years to come.
DEC-23-1996 08:43
P.01
TO: Larry Holmes and Joel Berg
Tax
FR: Eann Rains. EnviroCorps OAR
Joel Berg
RE: Incomplete projects
fax 202/720-4614
DT: December 20. 1996
Thanks for your work in trying to negotiate a resolution to the USDA AmeriCorps funding
problem. We understand that you may have to make some concessions. I would like to
tell you about some programs that EnviroCorps has that are not yet completed. We have
partners who are depending on us. Without us, they won't be able to complete their work:
some of them may lose funding if they fall short of their program goals and objectives.
Here are some examples. Larry also has a list that I faxed him on Dec. 10.
1. City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Combined Sewer Overflow
(CSO) program:
EnviroCorps is needed to assist the City in coming into compliance with the Clean Water
Act. EnviroCorps teams canvass neighborhoods for BES to inform homeowners about raw
sewage that goes into the rivers (due to an antiquated sewer system design and capacity)
and ask them to give permission for their downspouts to be disconnected. EnviroCorps
performs disconnections and trains and directs groups of community volunteers (adults and
youth) in doing disconnections for homeowners who need help. We have also done
classroom and outdoor education with schools located in affected neighborhoods as part of
the science and math curricula. We are the only available resource that can work on its
own during the week and come out on weekends to work with groups of volunteers.
BES has recently identified neighborhoods in which downspout disconnection will be
mandatory. Facing new deadlines for disconnecting downspouts and constructing new
sewage storage facilities. along with budget cuts, BES needs EnviroCorps more than ever.
2. Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces
There are numerous parks and greenspaces that need attention that Metro doesn't have the
staff and funds to provide. Metro calls on EnviroCorps to repair flood damage to parks
and trails; create bioswales; remove invasive non-native vegetation that is damaging parks
and wetlands; and plant appropriate natives trees and shrubs to stabilize soil, control
erosion, filter pollutants, and create wildlife habitat.
The work we do in the Columbia Slough watershed is especially important. This area has
a long history of industrial pollution, along with serious economic problems, youth gang
activity, and very few parks and recreational areas. EnviroCorps has been working with
Metro, the Urban League of Portland, schools, the Columbia Slough Watershed Council,
and groups of youth and adult volunteers to clean up a junkyard. renovate a house into an
office and education center, remove non-natives and plant natives, and develop plans for a
fishing dock. A lot has been accomplished, but there is much left to do.
3. Kraxberger Middle School in Gladstone, outside of Portland, is in an area that used to
have a lot of wetlands. The school sits on property that has a failed sediment basin that
the teachers and students want to convert into a natural wetland to protect the Clackamas
River and to use as an outdoor lab. The school has received a grant to do this work and
is counting on EnviroCorps to provide technical assistance on the design and planting
plan, and to provide adult labor and instruction for the students in installing and
DEC-23-1996 08:43
P.02
far the project.
Llanc will The alical since They get the dec
4. Humboldt Neighborhood Association is making plans to convert a vacant lot next to
Humboldt Elementary into a naturescaped community garden space and outdoor
lab/classroom area. The association wrote EnviroCorps into a grant for this project and is
looking to us for assistance regarding grading the soil to prevent erosion, deciding on
appropriate native plantings, constructing wheelchair-accessible raised beds, etc.
5. The City of Gresham has been working with EnviroCorps in enhancing a wetland area
at the headwaters of Johnson Creek. The plan is for students from elementary through
high school to install snags. plant natives, conduct photomonitoring, and perform a
number of other service learning tasks. They need EnviroCorps teams to show them how
to do these tasks and to provide muscle for the heavy work. They asked to work with us
because of our experience in the field and in working with kids of all ages.
6. Portland Parks and Recreation wants us back to help them with some projects. Last
year. EnviroCorps built a low concrete wall and planted a butterfly garden at Alberta Park,
across from Vernon Elementary School. The plan was for us to build raised beds for the
kids to use for various growing experiments. Completion of the project was delayed while
waiting for the City to install an irrigation system. Parks wants the project finished.
7. Last year, EnviroCorps led over 1000 school kids in Washington County on field trips
to wetlands, streams, etc., and worked with them on service learning projects such as
building bird boxes. Washington County Educational Service District has asked us to do
this again. With limited resources, educators depend on groups like us to fill in the gaps.
8. An Environmental Middle School was formed in Portland last year. EnviroCorps
worked with teachers. students, and parents on classroom and outdoor projects. This
year, they are constructing a bioswale on school grounds and are talking about helping an
elementary school with planting native trees on some donated land next to that school.
They were excited about working with us again this year, but we have had to wait due to
our situation. Because of reductions in the school district budget and turnover of some
teachers, EMS needs our help even more this year in the classroom and in the field.
EnviroCorps has an excellent reputation for professionalism, technical expertise, and
responding quickly to community needs. Groups and schools have actively sought us out
for assistance with projects. We continue to get calls from community groups who have
heard about our work and who need help with drainage and erosion problems, designing
naturescaping plans. or removing tough stands of blackberry bushes, or who want a group
of AmeriCorps members to give their volunteers a hand and help them stay motivated on
long project workdays. We realize that we can't say "Yes" to everybody who has a
project. We'd like to at least be able to complete the projects that we or our partners
have started.
I hope you will try to buy us some time to finish our projects and help these partners who
are depending on us.
Thank you.
TOTAL P.02
OCT-02-1996 00:17
SW OREGON RC&D
541 955 9574 P.02/02
USDA AMERICORPS IN SOUTHWESTERN OREGON
Through USDA/NRCS 6 full-time college graduates have worked in communities.
Total NRCS funds for our 6 people: $85,742.75 to date.
Total local host organization support for members (including in-kind): $51,500
Total hours worked by 6 AmeriCorps members: 10,872
Estimated accomplishments FY 96:
6 AmeriCorps Rural Development members
Total non-AmeriCorps community volunteers: 1087 VOLUNTEERS
Total hours worked by non-AmeriCorps volunteers: 10,125 HOURS
Number of people directly affected or assisted: 3611 PEOPLE
Number of plans or projects developed: 234 PROJECTS
Value of grants awarded for community project work: $700,138 PROJECT FUNDS
In-kind donations associated with project work: $1,115,994 DONATIONS
Miles of stream treated: 76.1* MILES
Number of trees or cuttings planted: 62,750 TREES
Number of public facilities improved: 6 FACILITIES
Number of culverts surveyed for fish passage: 350* CULVERTS
Number of in-stream structures built or improved: 49* STREAM STRUCTURES
Outdoor classroom facilities created or enhanced: 33* CLASSROOMS
Debris removed from stream: LOTS
Storm drains stenciled to discourage pollution: 250 STORM DRAINS
Miles of stream adopted by groups: 22* MILES
Number signing up to implement fish-friendly practices: 54* LANDOWNERS
*accomplishments result of two years of work involving extensive project develop-
ment and planning on the part of community groups
SOUTHWEST OREGON RC&D
phone 541-476-4906
fax 541-955-9574
TOTAL P.02
SEP-30-1996 09:06
P.01
ENVIROCORPS FAX
Number of pages (including cover): 2
To: Dee D. Fore
Fax: 202-720-4614
From:
Eann Rains - EnviroCorps Program Coord.
Phone: 503/231-6186
Fax:
503/231-2271
Date:
9.30.96
Subject:
Memo regarding change in Unember "slots"
I have written a memo to request that
my Americanps program be permitted to
reassign The full time + part time member
Slots, I'm not sure who this Luemo
should go to, to be sure I get the
proper affroval + to be Sure the Trust
tencrus whats going on, the grants person
needs, to be involved, as do Joel Berg
and/or Lamy Holmes.
would you please read this unemo +
advise
we who to send it to
?
Thanks!
SEP-13-1996 11:42
P.01
ENVIROCORPS FAX
Number of pages (including cover): 2
To: Dee D,Fore
Fax: 202/720-4614
From:
Earn Rains
Phone: 503/231-6186
Fax: 503/231-2271
Date:
9-13-96
Subject:
Copy of memo we discussed.
Thanks for The information x for your
assiatance in these matters.
Call it you have any questions.
SEP-13-1996 11:42
P.02
LNVIROCORS
TO: National Service Trust Office
Gayle Norman, Coordinator, AmeriCorps USDA NRCS programs in Oregon
Marlis Miller, Executive Director, Oregon Comm. for National and Community Service
Sue Brandt, Personnel Management Specialist, Oregon NRCS
Steve Fedje, NRCS, EnviroCorps Administrative Coordinator
FR: Eann Rains, Program Coordinator, EnviroCorps
RE: Corrections to AmeriCorps Member forms, delayed enrollment into the National Service
Trust, clarification of full-time and part-time Member slots for 1995-96 program year
DT: September 12, 1996
In a telephone conversation I had today with Levon Buller at the National Service Trust Office,
I learned that four Members who participated in the EnviroCorps program during Program Year
1996 were not enrolled in the National Service Trust during that period of service. They are:
Karen Brimacombe
Erik Steffens
Jonathan Mugglestone
Terri Tufts
I am sending photocopies of these people's National Service Enrollment Forms for PY96 in this
mailing to the National Service Trust Office. 1 hope these copies will be sufficient to enroll
them in the Trust so that they may receive their education awards. I assume my predecessor
completed Enrollment Forms for all the other Members. (Otherwise, those names would have
appeared on the computer as not enrolled in the Trust.)
In the same conversation, I also learned that the number of full-time and part-time members for
the EnviroCorps program for PY96 is not recorded correctly on the National Service Trust
computer. It is correct on the NRCS report I just got in the mail. The discrepancy needs to be
resolved to ensure that the Members will receive the education awards that they have earned.
We had two full-time Team Leaders under Op Site ID #Y41A, 10 full-time members under
X41B, and seven part-time Members under X41B. Of the seven part-time members, one left
the program early and was replaced; hence, we used six part-time slots. Only six part-time
education awards should be given out.
The National Service Trust computer had one of the Team Leaders (Richard Melo) listed under
X41B instead of Y41A, so I asked the staff person (Levon Buller) to switch him to the proper
category. The National Trust records show that, after switching Melo to Y41A, EnviroCorps
has two unused full-time education award slots that we don't need (Melo's, plus one that was
never assigned) but is short four part-time slots. I am requesting that the two extra full-time
slots be converted into four part-time slots so that all EnviroCorps Members who completed
their service during 1995-96 will receive the appropriate education award. Mr. Buller told me
the would be sending an Email to Hank Altman, to grants officer Monica Holman, and to the
computer office regarding this change.
As a new AmeriCorps program coordinator who is new to these forms, I recorded the wrong
Program/Project ID Number on Members' End of Term of Service Forms. The correct number
for Members other than Team Leaders is 94ADFDC047X41B. For Team Leaders, it is
94ADFDC047Y41A. I have made corrections on photocopies of these forms for Team
Leaders Richard Melo and Mike Grosso. These are included in this mailing for Marlis, Sue,
and the National Trust Office.
Thanks for your understanding on all this stuff.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
2115 SE Morrison Street
Portland, OR 97214
503/725-5588 FAX 503/231-2271
TELIO
TOTAL P.02
Southwest Oregon RC&D
invites you to a no-host
AmeriCorps Appreciation
Banquet
Honoring
Jim Collins
Chaline Owings
Dave Jacob
Brad Pearce
Pat McVean
J.R. Van Slyke
ON: Wednesday, August 28, 1996
AT: Wildlife Safari's White Rhino Restaurant
SAFARI TOUR: 4:00 pm - in vans with a guide
SOCIAL:
5:30 pm - no-host beer and wine available
DINNER:
6:30 pm - chicken or steak for $10.65
Please join us in a tribute to the
accomplishments of AmeriC orps members
working together with local communities. Help
us celebrate the second year of AmeriCorps in
southwest Oregon and show appreciation for the
community service of our members.
An R.S.V.P by August 21 is required in order to secure this great
facility and to arrange for the tour. Please call 541-476-5906!
Southwest Oregon RC&D
576 NE "E" Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
Joel Berg
MAY-18-1995
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.01
SOUTHWEST OREGON
RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
CW
576 N.E."E" Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526
Please note address
Ph. 503-476-5906, FAX 503-955-9574
FAX COVER SHEET
WRCS
DATE: 5-18-95
TOTAL PAGES: 9
attn: Charles Simms
TO: Joel Berg, USDA Director Americorps
FAX NUMBER: 202-720-4614
FROM: amy Wilson, Coordinator
RE: '96 Program objectives
Please call immediately if you do not receive all pages of this message.
REMARKS: Dear foel.
We have studied your comments + sarggestions, and working with the
8 host communities we have come up with the following dijectives.
the we on the right track?!
Please let me Know if there are still problems. Local
people are ecstatic about what americarps members have
achieved so far: Local support $s account for nearly
90% of the project cost (excluding tirends + benefits)!
Please call 503 - 476 - 5906
a
503-474-9715
OL Voice corm 800-726-7685 tox A 1295
Thank you. anywilso
MAY-18-1995 14:00
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.02
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Coos County
Southwest Oregon RC&D; Site #: 1/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Paul Heikkila PHONE: 503-396-3121
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
Educate and train landowners and interest groups in watershed activities. improvement.
1. What work will be done?
Organize demonstrations, tours and seminars to educate and train landowners
and interest groups in watershed enhancement activities and water quality
through reduction in non-point source pollution.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
More people will be involved in watershed councils and actively develop and
implement projects of benefit to the watershed.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Interview and survey participants to evaluate educational activities and
demonstrations.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Ten tours, seminars or training events organized; 3 watershed demonstration
projects developed, implemented and used for educational purposes.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
300 people directly participating in training activities and indirectly the residents
of the Coquille River watershed through improved water quality and fish habitat:
approximately 35,000.
MAY-18-1995 14:01
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.03
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Curry County
Southwest Oregon RC&D
Site #: 2/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Derek Godwin PHONE: 503-247-2875
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
Develop + implement watershed education program.
1. What work will be done?
Organize demonstrations, trainings, tours, seminars and educational activities for
students, volunteer groups and the general public; assist with development and
implementation of demonstration watershed restoration and water quality
improvement projects.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
More people will become aware of the contribution they can make to the
environment and local groups and volunteers will actively develop and
implement watershed enhancement activities.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Use evaluation interviews or forms to rate presentations; and monitor
participation in watershed enhancement activities through contact with the
watershed councils.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
3 educational activities for the general public, 20 school-based educational
activities and 3 water quality improvement demonstration projects.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
150 general public, and 1000 K-12 students; indirectly recreational users and
inhabitants of the area: 5000.
MAY-18-1995 14:02
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.04
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Douglas County
Southwest Oregon RC&D Site #: 3/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Walt Barton
PHONE: 503-673-8316
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
1. What work will be done?
Educate and train landowners and interest groups in watershed improvement.
Develop and implement demonstration projects, conduct tours, trainings, and
seminars for landowners and the general public.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Citizens and landowners will engage in and support watershed enhancement
activities.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Evaluate trainings and demonstration projects with interviews and forms.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
One demonstration project will be developed and implemented in each of the 4
critical sub-basins, at least 20 landowners in each sub-basin will receive training
in watershed enhancement activities.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
80 landowners and users/inhabitants of the 4 sub-basins indirectly over 8,000.
MAY-18-1995 14:03
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.05
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Jackson County
Southwest Oregon RC&D
Site #: 4/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Marc Prevost
PHONE: 503-664-6674
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
Engage schools and general public in watershed education projects.
1. What work will be done?
Work with teachers and school officials to develop and implement watershed
education activities and demonstration projects, write grants for activities
requiring funding, develop and distribute educational materials and tools,
organize seminars, tours and demonstrations for landowners and the general
public.
2. Vhat is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
More people will become aware of the contribution they can make to improve the
environment and there will be an increase in the number of people actively
participating in water quality improvement and decreasing non-point source
pollution.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Use evaluation forms or interviews to see the effectiveness of the educational
activities and demonstration projects.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
2 large scale public seminars, 5 demonstration projects, and 10 educational
activities resulting in stream enhancement work.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
Direct training of the general public 300, demonstration projects 500, K-12
students 750; indirect impact on over 90,000 residents in urban area and
adjacent rural area.
MAY-18-1995 14:04
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.06
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Douglas County
Southwest Oregon RC&D
Site #: 5/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Lee Russell
PHONE: 503-836-2417
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
Develop outdoor education and recreation sites.
1. What work will be done?
Identify and design outdoor education and recreation sites, write grants for site
development funding, organize demonstrations, trainings and seminason
outdoor education and site use.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
More people will be educated about their role in improving the environment and
young people will have local activities to deter vandalism and encourage them to
stay in the area.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Use interviews and surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of trainings and
demonstrations and the use of the created sites.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
3 educational/recreational sites created and used by the local schools and the
community.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
280 K-12 students and 4,000 people in the three cities and surrounding area.
MAY-18-1995 14:05
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.07
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Douglas County
Southwest Oregon RC&D
Site #: 6/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Leroy Blodgett PHONE: 503-863-3171
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
Provide training for small business to retain and increase jobs and revenue.
1. What work will be done?
Organize
Develop and conduct trainings, seminars and tours for local business owners
and the general public; identify and train local business advisory teams; conduct
demonstration projects.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Local businesses will develop skills to maintain, improve or expand thereby
increasing the revenue generated locally and increasing or stabilizing the
number of jobs.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Use interviews or forms to evaluate the effectiveness of trainings and
demonstration activities.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
3 public seminars, one long-term training course for 3 teams of 2 people and 3
demonstration activities.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
150 individuals receive direct business training; over 100 receive business
assitance from trained teams, demonstrations will affect 3000 from surrounding
communities indirectly.
MAY-18-1995 14:05
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.08
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
GRANTEE: USDA/NRCS
SITE: Oregon, Douglas County
Southwest Oregon RC&D
Site #: 7/1 member
SITE SUPERVISOR: Candace Hissong PHONE: 503-832-2101
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
1. What work will be done?
Provide training for community to develop tourism-based industry/econome,
Organize training, tours, demonstrations and seminars for training in small
business management, tourism and marketing, develop demonstration projects
and database modelling.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Citizens will understand the benefits of the increased tourism and learn ways to
improve local standard of living and economy as a result.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Use interviews and forms to evaluate the effectiveness of trainings and
demonstration activities.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
3 training programs will be developed and implemented 1 each for business,
school and general public, two demonstration activities and 1 model database
created and used by the public.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
50 member of business community receive direct training, 300 school children,
and 200 members of the general public; surrounding counties will benefit
indirectly from increased tourism.
MAY-18-1995 14:06
NRCS/SW OREGON RC&D
503 955 9574 P.09
OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE #1:
USDA
GRANTEE: NRCS
sw OR RCHD # / member.
SITE: Oregon, Jackson County
SITE SUPERVISOR: Allan Bucta
PHONE: 503-770-2266
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:
1. What work will be done?
Coordinate and organize 8 needs assessment workshops, assist the evaluation
of needs assessment and developing responding projects.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Community needs will be assessed and projects will be developed to address
them.
3. How will you measure the quality of work?
Each workshop will be evaluated, and resulting projects
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Each workshop will recieve 75% satisfactory evaluations and
interest groups and diverse sectors of community will have been presented in
at least one workshop. 3 programs will be deve ned wh
eds
expressed in workshops
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work of your Member?
Local population of 410 plus surrounding
liation of over 200 people.
TOTAL P.09
01/24/96 12:07
2026900639
COMM-ASSISTANCE +++ USDA NAT SER OFF
002
United States
Natural
P.O. Box 2890
Department of
Resources
Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
Conservation
20013
Service
January 24, 1996
SUBJECT: Approval for Conversions of AmeriCorps Positions in Oklahoma,
Portland, Oregon and Maryland
TO:
Joel Berg, Director, National Service, USDA
1. The AmeriCorps Project Director in Oklahoma, Leroy Tull, has three full-time
vacancies that he would like to convert to three part-time positions. The part-time
conversions allow project managers to complete the project work and graduate the
AmeriCorps team for FY'96 together. This change does not effect the current operating
site objectives.
Original
New Approved
2 FT PL&E Sentinel
2 PT PL&E Sentinel
1 FT PL&E Cheyenne
1 PT PL&E Cheyenne
Approve
Jall Beck
Date
1/25/96
Disapprove
Date
2. Below are the changes that need to be approved for Portland, Oregon. These changes
have already taken place. Attached are revisions to the Portland objectives. The first
quarter report will be based on these objectives.
Original
New Approved
8 FT PL&E
10 FT PL&E
10 PT PL&E
6 PT PL&E
2 FT RDT
Approve
Jael Beg 2 FT
RDT
Date
1/25/96
Disapprove
Date
The Natural Resources Conservation Service,
formerly the Soil Conservation Service.
is an agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
01/24/96 12:08
2026900639
COMM-ASSISTANCE -- USDA NAT SER OFF
1
003
JAN-23-1996 13:43
P.05
ENVIROCORPS COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
AmeriCorps: Renewal Application Update 1995-'96
Objective 1: Metro Watershed Protection
1.
What work will be done?
Environmentally oriented restoration and enhancement projects will continue to be developed on
both private and public property throughout Portland urban watersheds. Typical projects will
involve reestablishment of native plant communities, wildlife habitat improvement, pest plant
removal, trash clean-up, and bank stabilization. In addition, demonstration projects will be
accomplshed which provide community members with opportunities to learn about environmental
issues through "naturescaping" projects, educational gardens, and developing trails and
interpretive exhibits on project sites where public access is permitted.
EnviroCorps members will continue to develop local partnerships through work with resource
agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups to accomplish these projects.
Approximately 50% of projects will occur within the Columbia Slough watershed, and the other
50% within other urban watersheds throughout Portland.
2.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Restoration projects will be completed in wetland and riparian sites as well as adjacent upland
buffer zones throughout several of Portland's urban watersheds, including the Columbia Slough,
Johnson Creek, Trion Creek, and Fanno Creek. Resulting benefits will include wildlife habitat
enhancement, water quality improvement, soil conservation, public education, and community
participation.
3.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
On the ground restoration and enhancement activities will be evident, including channel
modifications, eradication of pest plants, and establishment of native vegetation along a total of
3 miles of riparian habitat and 50 acres of wetland and upland habitat.
4.
By what standard will you gauge success?
A total of 3 miles of riparian habitat and 50 acres of wetland and upland will be returned to a
more natural condition, with an improvement in wildlife habitat, water quality, and soil
retention. At least 300 volunteers will participate in community service efforts on projects
totalling at least 600 hours of volunteer time.
5.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants
perform?
Participating landowners and the general public throughout the Portland urban environment will
01/24/96 12:10
2026900639
COMM-ASSISTANCE -- USDA NAT SER OFF
5
004
JAN-23-1996 13:44
P.06
benefit by having more recreational and educational opportunities, an improvement in water
quality, and a more aesthetically appealing environment. At least 300 volunteers will learn and
contribute to project realization through their service efforts.
Objective 2: Combined Sewer Overflow Program: Downspout Disconnection
1.
What work will be done?
Members will work with the City of Portland on a portion of their Combined Sewer Overflow
Program. The goal is to disconnect downspouts from the sewer system throughout north
Portland. Currently, the majority of downspouts pipe roof runoff directly into the sewer system.
Due to the sewer system's limited capacity in north Portland, nearly every time it rains,
overflows occur which send raw sewage into the Columbia Slough and Willamette River. The
Downspout Disconnection Program will stress homeowner action and partnerships with
neighborhood groups to create a community based approach to disconnecting downspouts on a
volunteer basis.
2.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Community members will become aware of the issues surrounding the Downspout 1
nection
Program, which will lead to widespread participation in the program. At least 50% of the
downspouts within targeted areas will be disconnected by the end of the year.
3.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Downspouts will be reconfigured SO they are fully functional, but disconnected from the sewer
system. The target is to disconnect 50% of the homes in project neighborhoods. At least 30
community volunteers will be trained to disconnect downspouts from the sewer system and help
promote the program throughout Portland neighborhoods.
4.
By what standard will you gauge success?
The percentage of participation by homeowners in target neighborhoods will be used to measure
success. The goal is to have at least 50% of the homes disconnected in target areas by the end
of the AmeriCorps service year. Disconnected downspouts will be inspected by City personnel
to ensure that they were disconnected properly.
5.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants
perform?
Community members in target neighborhoods will benefit through the learning experience and
by contributing to the solution of this water quality problem. The general public will benefit
through improved water quality. Those who use the Columbia Slough and Willamette River for
recreational purposes will benefit by having safer, healthier water. The public will also receive
a long term cost benefit. The more stormwater is removed from the system, the less it will cost
01/24/96 12:11
2026900639
COMM-ASSISTANCE +++ USDA NAT SER OFF
1
005
JAN-23-1996 13:44
P.07
the City to construct a new sewer system to support local growth, hence lower cost will be
required by homeowners to pay for sewer system reconstruction.
Objective 3: Environmental Middle School: Environmental Service and Education
1.
What work will be done?
Members will work with students and faculty at the Environmental Middle School to implement
the service based education curriculum which focuses on environmental services in the
community. Members and students will be engaged in numerous watershed and community
projects, including restoration and revegetation of stream banks and riparian areas in the Johnson
Creek watershed, implementing "naturescaping," participating in the Downspout Disconnection
program, and developing demonstrations and exhibits for increasing public awareness on
environmental issues.
2.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Students will become engaged in active environmental service projects as part of their education.
and the community will have increased levels of participation in environmental improvement
activities.
3.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Students will be involved in the implementation and community education of watershed
enhancement, "naturescaping", and downspout disconnection. Quality of the service activities
will be evident, including channel modifications, eradication of pest plants, and establishment
of native vegetation along the Johnson Creek watershed corridor. Public involvement will be
measured in hours of volunteers hours of service. Public awareness and education will be
measured by number of contacts made and coinciding survey results. Students involved in the
service projects will be given pre and post tests to determine the benefit of service activities to
their educational attainment.
4.
By what standard will you gauge success?
90% of the students enrolled in the school will be engaged in environmental service activities;
50% of the residents in the neighborhoods within the Johnson Creek watershed target area will
be contacted and/or involved in service activities. This will demonstrate an increased level of
educational awareness based on their involvement in the program.
5.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants
perform?
125 students will participate in service projects for a total of 12,500 service hours. 500
community members will be contacted and informed about environmental service activities and
opportunities for service involvement. Three community environmental exhibits will be
developed which will be attended by 500 community members.
Voices in the Forest
Summer 1995
Rogue River AmeriCorps
Jacksonville Bridge Project Completed
by Jesse Beccera
acksonville, Oregon is the
J
home of many historic
sites. We, at Rogue River
AmeriCorps, recently were able to
contribute to the area. The city of
Jacksonville was given a $4000 grant
from the SIMS foundation to build an
interpretative trail loop from the Peter
Britt Gardens.
A trail making machine was ini-
tially used by the Forest Service to
turn the existing foot path into a trail
accessible to almost everyone. This
trail was planned to cross Jackson
Creek at two points, and that is where
we come into the story. AmeriCorps
was recruited to build a bridge to
connect the trail across the creek.
A bridge design was chosen to uti-
AmeriCorps Members spent many hours on the Jacksonville Bridge, but the
lize native materials, be accessible to
results were worth the effort.
walkers and bikers, and span Jackson
our needs at the initial site, but an-
pulled the front end down the trail
other tree had to be felled to get back
and across the creek.
"Everyone I talked with was
on task. That was when the real
All the measurements and levels
impressed with our bridge and
work began.
were checked, double checked, and
looked froward to when it would
Two eight foot sills were cut from
then triple checked after every move-
become part of the completed
the trunks of the trees. After being
ment. Once the stringers were posi-
loop."
peeled of their bark they were placed
tioned and secured they were beveled
on the leveled beds of rock that had
flat on top. It was a very intricate
Creek at the narrowest point possible.
been constructed by the skills of the
and precise process and it took many
On the first day of work we were
crew.
more steps than I had imagined.
informed that a water pipe was to be
The moving of the thirty-four foot
It finally started to look like a
installed at the ford we planned to
stringers and eight foot sills was done
bridge when the decking was going
gap. A new site was chosen thirty
with log carriers and a Griphoist. It
on. The decking was purchased with
feet down stream, but that required
was quite a sight to see eight mem-
a portion of the grant money by the
almost doubling the length of the
bers using the log carriers on the
city of Jacksonville. The trees used
stringers. The one tree that had been
back of a stringer, while the Griphoist
for the railings were donated from the
felled would have been enough for
(Continued on page 2)
Summer 1995
On the Work Site
(Continued from page 1)
By Jeremy Shipley
property of a local resident, Alan
Horobin. Mr. Horobin was also
PRUNING: WHY ARE WE HERE?
prune any type of conifer in a
our contact with the city.
specified area up to 12 feet high.
Once the railing was finished the
area around the bridge was rehabili-
A
meriCorps has been prun-
The limbs are then piled in an open
ing locally in the Rogue
area to be burned in the fall. This
tated. Brush was scattered and the
River National Forest for the last
process reduces the presence of forest
trail got some much needed tread
16 weeks in an attempt to properly
fuels. According to Bill Fleeger,
work. Stone and dirt ramps were
manage our forest.
"natural fires used to take care of
constructed on either side of the
The procedure consists of meet-
bridge to slope gently down to the
"The natives who lived here prior to
ing our Forest Service contact and
trail. With our contribution made,
European Settlement had 10,000 years
receiving the specifications of the
and our job done, the bridge awaited
of accumulated knowledge on how to
site. When the project is for the
its big day.
manage forest ecosystems." Bill
sale of the lumber, AmeriCorps
On April 22nd the Jacksonville
Fleeger, AmeriCorps projects
members are instructed to prune 17
Woodlands Association sponsored
Manager
1/2 feet of one chosen tree, the
the second Hike-A-Thon. Partici-
healthiest tree is preferred, per ev-
pants hiked along the trail and chil-
pruning and thinning, but now it is
ery 20x20 foot area. Those trees
dren from local schools were there to
necessary to go in manually in order
on either side of this area are then
give directions and display signs.
to get this done." He added that
pruned by fellow workers along the
I went to Jacksonville to see how
pruning to reduce forest fuels is
crew line. " with pruning, you have
people liked the bridge and I was
one way to, "compensate for the
a tendency to lose interest, but
pleased to hear all the great compli-
suppression of naturally occurring
AmeriCorps has been tearing
ments. Every one I talked with was
fires."
through our goal of 500 acres at an
impressed with our bridge, and
impressive rate," said Bill Murphy,
looked forward to when it would be-
Site Supervisor of the Rogue River
come part of the completed loop.
AmeriCorps. "At this time we have
One man was also amazed that we
pruned approximately 28,000 trees,"
SPIKE!?!
were able to build a bridge without
Murphy also stated.
using any heavy machinery.
According to Scott Thompson,
The final steps to completion of
Spare Me!
a Forestry technician with the
By Dave Kately
the trail are still in the planning
Rogue River National Forest, prun-
stages, and hopefully AmeriCorps
ing is valuable because, "it pro-
W
e're going camping now? Yes
"We of the Jacksonville Woodlands
duces clear wood, with the tree
AmeriCorps
members,
Association would like to thank
eventually growing around knots,
starting April 17, you and seven to eight
all members of the AmeriCorps
providing for higher quality of
lumber at harvest." Thompson con-
of your closest friends will be given a
who participated in the building of
four to five day, all expenses paid (by
tinued, "these harvested areas are
the bridge across Jackson
then regenerated with trees grown
you) trip to the wilderness (not quite the
Creek. This construction of yours
wilderness, but no plumbing) courtesy
locally at J. Herbert Stone Nursery,
will be a big asset to the citizens of
of AmeriCorps. No more warm and
which provides a good, quality
Jacksonville and tourists alike It
seedling to reestablish the forest."
cozy barracks, roughing it time has
is a beautiful bridge and a fine
arrived. You and your party will pack
More recently, AmeriCorps
piece of engineering."
members have been using the prun-
your van and trailer with all the camping
amenities; tents, propane, cook stoves,
- Alan Horobin
ing process as a method of manag-
ing forest fuels and reducing the
food, personal gear, and lots of tarps
(Continued on page 3)
risk of fire in our forest. Members
Summer 1995
Another Job Well Done
by Coy Wiss
G
oing into this I thought it
was pretty ridiculous, here
we are, trained for trail work and we
get assigned a float project.
Ryan's crew was told to put
together a float for the pear blossom
parade. I think my whole crew was
against this project from the start,
especially after the first day.
We arrived at the Forest Service
site in Medford, and we had no idea
where to begin. We looked to Forest
Service employees to help us locate
all the materials we would need. No
one present that day new if there
CORPS
were any preconceived ideas as to
what the final product was to look
Intional Forest
like. This minute detail made it
very hard to get started. We all
AmeriCorps members get ready to show off their handy work in the Pear Blossom
looked over what we had to work
Parade.
with, threw some ideas around,
accepted the fact that we had no way
The second day we had a better
so the saws started. The float was
out of this, and got started.
understanding of what was going on,
to consist of a bridge, a trail head,
(Continued on page 3)
AmeriCorps Camping out
planning the crew tried an unsuccessful
(Continued from page 2)
escape attempt. With the AmeriCorps work ethic shining
(why do we need lots of tarps?). With these supplies you
bright, the Chubs overcame and conquered their fears
will become a self sufficient, working machine.
and decided to stick it out. At the conclusion of the week
Cooperation is a must on spike as crew members help
spirits were bright (not shining, but bright) and opinions
each other to ensure that all tasks are done on time (are you
of most crew members had changed. When asked about
laughing yet?). Two sleeping tents and a mess tent must be
the week in whole Big John Maguire explained, " That
raised, food areas set up, and latrines dug (OH JOY!!)
ED."
With team work and the ever looming "AmeriCorps work
Spike is a state of mind. You must focus and stay
ethic" this process runs nice and smooth (hysterical
focused to maintain a healthy opinion of the situation. It
laughter).
will be a test of your character and your ability to adapt
On Monday, the 17th of April, Leslie and the rest of the
to the adverse conditions that mother nature sends your
infamous Homy Head Chubs started off the show by being
way.
the first crew to brave the outdoors. Moral was low among
Besides the working experience, try to enjoy the life
the Chubs as they knew that they would surely meet the
experience that will be occurring all around you out
doom of a cold and rainy week.
there. So, when the sun shines, soak it up. And when it
Big John Maguire, who is new to the idea of roughing
rains, get soaked, but try to enjoy and remember why
it, commented on the upcoming week, "This S." So the
you're here. To the Chubs and all the future crews
Chubs were on their way to meet their destiny.
joining ne act, HAVE FUN.
Sources say that due to bad weather and lack of
Summer 1995
1st Place Float
(Continued from page 3)
bridge up and we began to lay the
simulated water turned out OK.
and a crosscut saw demonstration.
decking. We built this bridge big. So
Once we stepped back to look at
The bridge was our primary
big it took a forklift to raise the sills
what we had done thoughts changed.
focus. The sills were placed and
and stringers once we got the decking
This job went from a job that was
secured easily, but it took everyone
on. Without the railing on the bridge
not meant for us, to a job in which
to move the monstrous stringers onto
looked like a train car flat bed. This
we learned somethings we could use
the trailer. After the bridge was
site was discouraging, but the railing
later. Just a few of these skills
underway we were able to break into
went up fast and the bridge was
include knowing how to build a
groups. We had limited space to
finally complete.
bridge and how to use a crosscut.
work in so projects often got
It was then time for the finishing
The day of the parade arrived and
jumbled. Tim Dodge was on the
touches. On Thursday we brought
we did our waving and smiling in the
chain saw, I was on the skill saw, and
some pine needles, leaves and rocks
cold rains only to find out that all
Risa Huetter was on the numbers.
from around our camp. Our resident
our efforts had paid off.
We laid black plastic to keep the
painter, Laurel, painted the old wood
We were awarded 1st place in
soil and gravel from seeping through
used for supports, and Risa and I got
commercial floats.
the cracks of the truck's trailer.
to work on the area beneath the
Ester Clemence delivered small pine
bridge Meanwhile, the rest of the
trees loaned to us by the forest
crew worked on laying out the
S6,E:
service nursery. Esther also brought
materials we brought and spit shining
us various art supplies for the the truck.
finishing touches.
OFFICIAL
U.S.
Risa and I laid more plastic and
Wednesday rolled around and we
put down more dirt and gravel. After
had the sills and the stringers for the
many different ideas and attempts the
EUGENE
U.S.
.POSTAGE
AUG 8 95
zzz
0,3-2
IMERICORP
ROGUE RIVER AMERICORPS
6941 UPPER APPLEGATE RD
OREG
JACKSONVILLE, OR
*
97530
Joel Berg
Room 538-A
USDA
14 & Independence SW
Washington, DC 20009