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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:
24225
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/Americorps - Clinton Library Copies - FY 95 Quarterly Progress
Reports - VT-WI [Vermont-Wisconsin] [3]
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Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
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66
1
6
3
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
WI
Divider Title:
394
Milwaukee Community Service Corps/hunger Task Force Of
Milwaukee
USDA/ AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger Project
The Milwaukee Community Service Corps
Second Quarter Report
January 1st to March 31st 1995
On what date did AmeriCorps begin service or training?
First enrollment was done on September 12, 1994 Second enrollment was done on
December 20, 1994. Last enrollment was done on February 20. 1995
A)
31 full time Corps members
Post-it Fax Note
Date 7/10
# of
0 part-time Corps members
7671
pages
13 males / 19 females
To "Dana Hines
From Daniel Tay Con
Co./Dept.
12 African -American males
Co. mese
7 African -American females
Phone #
202
690-0693
Phone my 276-6272
2 Hispanic females
Fax 202 720.4614
Fax WY 4276-7930
5 Hispanic Males
4 white females
2 White males
20 working on GED and HSED
7 high school graduates
4 with some college
B)
13,392 total hours gathered for entire crew.
Total number of non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers who were involved in
AmeriCorps service activities:
Fifteen people have involved themselves from outside of AmeriCorps
The Milwaukee Community Service Corps has been able to garner a tremendous amount
of support for the USDA\AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger program. These individuals have
given their valuable time to the project:
Katherine Rogers and Sharon Kasner from EFNEP UW-Extension
May Demps, Executive Director, Women Against Drug Abuse
Jeff McAlister,. Policy Director from Work For Wisconsin
Will Allen, from Rainbow Farmers Coop
Maria and Donna Borkin from the Hunger Task Force Milwaukee
Carol Bril and Bilie Nash from Hunger Task Force Milwaukee
The Milwaukee AIDS Project
Denis Lukaszewski from Shoots and Roots University of Extension.
Diane Moreau-Stodola, R.D., M.S., Department of Health and social services
Lisa Stark, M. S., R. D. Department of Health and social services
The total hours of AmeriCorps service activities completed by non-
AmeriCorps Member volunteers: 63 hours.
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS QUARTER
Infrastructure Construction
15 enhancement plans have been created for the Emergency Pantry Network and the
goal calls for 30 so we are halfway through.
The crew has serviced 410 pantries, since January 1-March 31st, by providing
assistance with food pick-ups and deliveries, record keeping, cleaning, client intake at the
Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee warehouse.
Four Pantries have been rehabed: Fredians, St. Johns, St James, Antioch Baptist
Church, the goal is to complete 15.
Food Handling
Worked with the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee to provide transportation for the 19
participants of the Super pantry. This is a self-sufficient and empowerment program.
The participants spend 5 hours, once per week, for 10 weeks preparing themselves to be
more self sufficient.
The Corps members to date have worked in 17 different food pantries assisting with
sorting and packaging of food, maintenance of the pantries food pick-ups and deliveries
record keeping, office work and client intake.
There are 10 members who are permanently placed in two pantries providing direct
services to the pantry's clients.
Right Alternative (2) ,BayView Community Center,(2) Council for the
Spanish Speaking (2) and Hunger Task Force Warehouse (4)
Members have completed 12 hours of training in the Extension Food Nutrition
Education Program.
Community Outreach and Access
The members were able to get out 40,000 pieces of information concerning Earned
Income Tax Credit. The information was provided in both Spanish and Engish.
12 group presentations were delivered on Earned Income Tax Credit by the members.
The School Breakfast program required the members to create a skit and to perform it
throughout Milwaukee's Public schools. The members have performed the skit once with
plans to do more work during the end of the summer.
60 hours have been put in at the SHARE program, which is an organization that takes
over where food pantries leave off. The AmeriCorps members provide extra support at
the end of each month to the organization in order to make sure as many people as
possible don't go hungry.
2
Goal
To provide affordable fresh produce in targeted neighborhoods where emergency food
programs are located by linking the food pantries, farmers and neighborhood
associations. The AmeriCorps crew will establish the link and assist in the marking and
promotion of the farmers markets in these targeted neighborhoods. In addition,
corpsmembers would organize and provide 12 on-site market demonstration of nutritious
foods and the proper preparation and storage of market produce.
What work will be done?
Bring together farmers cooperatives, neighborhood associations and emergency food
pantries around 2 farmers markets. Improve the physical set up and signage of the
markets. Establish community gardens in targeted neighborhoods. Provide marketing
assistance including but not limited to the distribution of at least three informational
flyers to at least six markets about proper preparation and storage of the market items.
What activities will your participants engage in?
By working in collaboration with the Rainbow Farmers Cooperative
The physical set up of markets development of signage for the markets installed.
Working with community organizations and groups operating the markets
And will jointly develop and implement on outreach and promotion campaign for the
markets.
working cooperatively with four existing neighborhood farmers markets
Providing at least three informational flyers at least six markets about the proper
preparation and storage of the market items
What work has been done?
Established commitments with farmers market cooperative and Fondy Market and 4
other unnambed sites to rejuvenate summer famers markets.
Working with UW-Extension on the urban gardens to provide free food to the
emergency shelters and working on a commitment to get the farmers to donate a portion
of food to emergency pantries.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
The number of market customers will increase by 50% from the beginning to the end of
the season. The community will have the correct information about food storage. A
portion of the produce will be sold at the neighborhood farmers market. Two specialty
items will be grown to meet the special produce needs of the ethnic and /or racial groups
located in the neighborhoods of the gardens.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
A random survey of 25% of the markets customers and farmers will be conducted to
determine the impact of the markets on the neighborhoods residents and the farmers coop
and the community.
How many individuals will receive the benefits of the work your participants
perform?
The central city neighborhoods targeted have over 40,000 individuals in them
MEMBER DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES?
feeling starting to emerge from the members. She feels this comes from having one goal,
to get the work done and to gather as much knowledge as possible in order to share with
the community.
EDUCATION
Since the program started in September of 1994 four members have received their high
school diplomas and are beginning the process of enrolling into college for the fall. Jeff
Kholweiss is finishing an associate degree program, at MATC, where he is currently
attending evening classes. Gena Krosting has completed two years of college and is going
back for her BS. Aminah Ahmed is a high school graduate preparing for the SAT exam.
Mittie Rainey is a high school graduate with a VTEA certificate in banking. Ronda Evens
is a high school graduate preparing for the SAT and ACT. Adrian Luna is a high school
graduate, who is preparing for entry into a carpentry apprenticeship program in the fall.
Leslie Snyder is a college student and well on her way to graduating. The experience of
being a part of the MCSC AmeriCorps/USDA anti-hunger project has fostered in some of
the members hope and in some cases, that is what is really needed for anyone to
accomplish a goal. Not only have the members begun preparing for their futures they
have begun participating on their own accord not only in community service as part of the
program but in extra training's provided to them by the Milwaukee Community Service
Corps and the Hunger Task Force Of Milwaukee.
Summary of progress this reporting quarter towards accomplishing annual
objectives
DIRECT SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Goal 1.
To develop a facility enhancement plan for a minimum of thirty emergency food pantries.
Of the 30, 15 will have their physical facilities improved by the corpsmembers.
Fifteen enhancement plans have been created for the Emergency Pantry Network and the
goal calls for 30 so we are halfway through. As of the end of this quarter four Pantries
have been rehabilitated: Fredians, St. Johns, St James, Antioch Baptist Church, the goal
is to complete 15. With the improved weather coming up we anticipated completing 5
more for the third quarter.
After surveying over 105 pantries in Milwaukee County, seventeen requested help. Of
the seventeen requesting help evaluation were completed on what needed to be done at
each site. After work is completed at each of the sights, those that run the pantries will
fill out a work evaluation to measure the competency of the work completed. In the past
MCSC has had an excellent rating of 90% of the rahab work completed. Of the four we
have completed we have received 96% excellent rating.
MCSC and AmeriCorps prides itself on getting things done and done well. We strive for
100% excellent rating on all our projects.
Each pantry estimates they serve any where between 500 - 1000 people per month. If
MCSC and AmeriCorps can improve the pantries at 15 we will be helping 7,500 and
15,000 individuals. The four that are already completed will help between 2000 and
4000.
Food Handling
GOAL
To increase the capacity of Hunger Task Force Milwaukee to collect, sort, inventory and
distribute 1,000,000 pounds of donated and purchased food on a city-wide basis to
pantries.
Crew has worked with the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee to provide transportation for
the 19 participants of the Super pantry. This is a self-sufficient and empowerment
program. The participants spend 5 hours, once per week, for 10 weeks preparing
themselves to be more self sufficient.
The corpsmembers to date have worked in 17 different food pantries assisting with
sorting and packaging of food, maintenance of the pantries food pick-ups and deliveries
record keeping, office work and client intake.
There are 10 members who are permanently placed in two pantries providing direct
services to the pantry's clients: Right Alternative Center(2), Bayview Community
Center,(2) Council for the Spanish Speaking (2) and Hunger Task Force's warehouse (4)
Members have completed 12 hours of training in the Extension Food Nutrition
Education Program.
The crew has serviced 410 pantries, since January 1-March 31st, by providing
assistance with food pick-ups and deliveries, record keeping, cleaning, client intake at the
Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee warehouse.
COMMUNITY BUILDING OBJECTIVES
Goal
To support the annual spring city-wide neighborhood clean-up project all crews would
come together to work in collaboration with block clubs, city health and sanitation
departments, schools and neighborhood organizations.
What work has been completed
Currently, the planning for this event is in its final stages. The organizatiosn that are
participating in a lose coalition are MCSC, YMCA, YWCA, the Milwuakee Chistian
Center, the Volunteer Center Milwaukee Public Schools and the City of Milwaukee. The
work to be completed will take place on National Youth Service Day, April 25, 1995. T-
Shirts are being printed with all the appropriate logos for all the children taking part in
the clean up.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Not only will the neighborhoods be cleaner, there will be residents, organizations and
City workers will have an opportunity to work together in the spirit of community.
Hopefully an increased neighborhood identity with the city workers will be established.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
The work completed will be evaluated by project organizers in the targeted
neighborhoods through interviews and a written report.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants
perform?
Goal
To provide affordable fresh produce in targeted neighborhoods where emergency food
programs are located by linking the food pantries, farmers and neighborhood
associations. The AmeriCorps crew will establish the link and assist in the marking and
promotion of the farmers markets in these targeted neighborboods. In addition,
corpsmembers would organize and provide 12 on-site market demonstration of nutritious
foods and the proper preparation and storage of market produce.
What work will be done?
Bring together farmers cooperatives, neighborhood associations and emergency food
pantries around 2 farmers markets. Improve the physical set up and signage of the
markets. Establish community gardens in targeted neighborhoods. Provide marketing
assistance including but not limited to the distribution of at least three informational
flyers to at least six markets about proper preparation and storage of the market items.
What activities will your participants engage in?
By working in collaboration with the Rainbow Farmers Cooperative
The physical set up of markets development of signage for the markets installed.
Working with community organizations and groups operating the markets
And will jointly develop and implement on outreach and promotion campaign for the
markets.
working cooperatively with four existing neighborhood farmers markets
Providing at least three informational flyers at least six markets about the proper
preparation and storage of the market items
What work has been done?
Established commitments with farmers market cooperative and Fondy Market and 4
other unnambed sites to rejuvenate summer famers markets.
Working with UW-Extension on the urban gardens to provide free food to the
emergency shelters and working on a commitment to get the farmers to donate a portion
of food to emergency pantries.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
The number of market customers will increase by 50% from the beginning to the end of
the season. The community will have the correct information about food storage. A
portion of the produce will be sold at the neighborhood farmers market. Two specialty
items will be grown to meet the special produce needs of the ethnic and /or racial groups
located in the neighborhoods of the gardens.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
A random survey of 25% of the markets customers and farmers will be conducted to
determine the impact of the markets on the neighborhoods residents and the farmers coop
and the community.
How many individuals will receive the benefits of the work your participants
perform?
The central city neighborhoods targeted have over 40,000 individuals in them
MEMBER DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES?
Objective: To increase education (e.g. GED classes for corpsmembers) and mastery of
job related skills, use of equipment such as tools and machinery.
All members that come to MCSC will leave with GED, HSED or improve reading and
math at least two grades. Also, after six months all members will have past skill test for
tools and at least on piece of heavy machinery.
To facilitate this they will take state GED or HSED: and must take a TABE test for pre
and post corps evaluation. Furthermore, corpsmembers will take tests modeled on the
Public/Private Ventures, Corpsmember Learning Activity (CLA) guide which helps
youth corps educators convey the importance of an education and its connection to the
world of work. The Work Project staff developed work-based learning materials for the
classroom. MCSC Education staff has also developed the corresponding tests for mastery
of each of the following subjects: Power Tools, Fasteners and Adhesives, Worksite
Safety, Wood/Lumber, Measurement, Knowing the Contents of Your Tool Box,
Communication: write a letter to a company, Analysis: demonstrate ability to read and
understand maps; Problem Solving: use formulas to determine circumference, area, and
volume; Community Responsibility: define racism and its effect on society, Social
Interaction: Discuss the value of community service, Ability to recognize and properly
use standard hand and power tools, Employability : Produce a personal résumé.
By the end of six months corpsmembers must improve reading and math levels by two
grades, based on pre and post TABE tests. Or, after nine months 80% corpsmembers that
do not have GED or HSED will have received it from the state. Furthermore after six
months 100 % of corpsmembers will understand how to use all the tools in their tool box
and at least on piece of specialty equipment.
Since the program started in September of 1994 four members have received their high
school diplomas and are beginning the process of enrolling into college for the fall. Jeff
Kholweiss is finishing an associate degree program, at MATC, where he is currently
attending evening classes. Gena Krosting has completed two years of college and is going
back for her BS. Aminah Ahmed is a high school graduate preparing for the SAT exam.
Mittie Rainey is a high school graduate with a VTEA certificate in banking. Ronda Evens
is a high school graduate preparing for the SAT and ACT. Adrian Luna is a high school
graduate, who is preparing for entry into a carpentry apprenticeship program in the fall.
Leslie Snyder is a college student and well on her way to graduating.
Objective : Community service work and life skills will be fostered to instill democratic
values with the outcome of the ability to identify, operationalize and reflect about the
responsibilities of an active citizen.
Hopefully, a pattern of voting, the participation in grassroots neighborhood development
committees, participation in in-house leadership training and the innovation of a
corpsmembers council will be developed.
Corpsmembers will be encouraged to vote and discuss the election they participated in
and provide proof of extra volunteer hours that will be recorded and added to ongoing
total of national service hours necessary for the educational award.
Corpsmembers have been registered to vote and many have exercised that right.
The experience of being a part of the MCSC AmeriCorps/USDA anti-hunger project has
fostered in some of the members hope and in some cases, that is what is really needed for
anyone to accomplish a goal. Not only have the members begun preparing for their
7
futures they have begun participating on their own accord not only in community service
as part of the program but in extra activities provided to them by the Milwaukee
Community Service Corps and the Hunger Task Force Of Milwaukee.
Objective: Move exiting corpsmembers into employment at a living wage or into higher
education.
MCSC strives for all of members who stay the duration of the program to leave with a
full-time job at a living wage or be enrolled in secondary education.
Follow up interviews and job placement assistance will be necessary to track the success.
If 90% of corpsmembers who stay in the program for the duration are in school or
making a living wage we will view it as a success.
Primary Challenges
The large turnover we encountered in January. Due to the nature of the MCSC and
that fact that this is basically the first job for most of the AmeriCorps members we were
faced with dealing with issues such as tardiness to work not prepared for work no call no
shows, unwillingness to work, unwillingness to take direction. The MCSC has taken
steps to help alleviate the problem by having the social worker who is on staff deal with
more of the issues that face Corps members and helping to provide better solutions.
Providing assistance to our Corps members in matters of non-work issues. i.e.
pregnancies, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence. we have seen some
improvements because of the intervention with the corps members.
The company who printed the brochures for the Earned Income Tax Credit held up the
process of distributing the brochures to the residents of the city.
Not having enough time to train the members adequately or work with the supervisors.
We have been taking out more time to spend working on making sure that training is
provided for the supervisors and the corps members. This was a perfect opportunity to
bring in some other volunteers to actually do the training.
The members developed a skit that would help advertise the importance of School
breakfast program. Unfortunately school administrators have not been willing to let the
corpsmembers into the schools to perform the skit. They continue to give them dates then
change the dates. This has caused a lot of frustration for the crew but they have now
learned how to deal with the bureaucracy of governmental agencies.
National identity activities this quarter
WTMJ, Channel the NBC affiliate, recruited the services of the AmeriCorps
members to work at their completely Kids Fair March 25th & 26th. They estimated at
least, if not more, 25,000 people were in attendance and they took in over 23,500 pounds
of food. This food was then donated to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee which was
then distributed to the 105 pantries and meal programs throughout the city of Milwaukee.
WTMJ, Channel 4 also covered the induction ceremony that took place on the floor of
Milwaukee's Common Council. Alderman Marvin Pratt administered the AmeriCorps
8
oath to the new members on Feb. 20. The television cameras then when out to another
AmeriCorps sight (State Funded through MCSC) to due interview with corpmembers.
The members have all been trained in CPR
A partnership was developed with MAP Milwaukee AIDS Project. The members of
MAP did a presentation on HIV and the impact it is on the African/ Hispanic population
Recognition from the Mayors office for our four members who saved nine children
from a burning building. (date for presentation still to be decided)
Beauty Wadlington, Tyrone Johnson, Vonnie Thomas, Mauritza Prado
Graduation ceremony from Extension Food Nutrition Education Program Tuesday,
April 11, 1995
Other Creative documentation
Photos of the Completely Kids Fair
Excerpts from Gerald Ball and Jason Morgan's Journals
Letters of commendation from Bayview Community Center,
Letter from a partner Work for Wisconsin
Changes in program organization or key staff positions during this quarter
One of our supervisors went on maternity leave and will not return until
September.
New supervisor was brought on to supervise the Food Handling crew
9
04/13/95 15:39
608 264 5483
USDA SCS WI
02
WI
AMERICORPS/USDA QUARTERLY REPORT
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE - WISCONSIN
DECEMBER 1 - MARCH 31, 1995
1. Number of employees enrolled at time of launch? 7
2. Number ot employees enrolled at end of quarter? 6
3. Number of memberc terminated from the program? 0
4. Total hours of direct service performed? 3,887
b. Total hours in training? 288
6. Progress toward meeting community service objectives.
During the first quarter much of the time was spent on start-up and
training. During the second quarter most of the time was spent in
production type work related to both objectives.
Objective A: Dealo with providing information on wetlands to
landowners and producers to assist in natural resource decisions and
compliance with federal programs. During this quarter 481 landowners
or producers were met with one on onc by the AmeriCorps members. They
provided information on wet.land functions and values, and provided
maps, if desired, LU the landowner. During discussions they answered
questions on these and related issucs to wetlands. This service to
the tarming community greatly reduced the number of wetland appeals
and also educated landusers on wetland issues. These activities were
performed in a manner which required coordination with cooperating
tederal and local agencies.
Objective B: Deals with digitizing soil survey information and making
it available to the community to improve natural resource decisions.
During the second quarter AmeriCorps members were able to digitize 21
USGS full quade of coil curvcy information. In addition to performing
the digitizing they made presentations to county agencies in Jackson
and Clark Counties, Lu dil interagency group made up of State, Federal,
and local unite of government, and University of Wisconsin officials.
These presentations and demonstrations will better inform the
communities UI the value of digitized soil survey information.
7. Primary accomplishments.
Information included above in #6.
8. Projected outcomes [or next quarter.
Continue with same work described above in #6.
9. Primary challenges.
N/A
10. Primary training and technical assistance needs.
N/A
04/13/95 15:40
608 264 5483
USDA SCS WI
$
03
11.
Media coverage.
None during this quarter.
12.
Other creative documentation.
None.
AmeriCorps*USA
Operating Site Quarterly Report
National Direct, Federal, Tribal, and Territorial Programs
1. Operating site: White Mountain National Forest, Laconia , NH
Name
Location
2. Operating Site ID # : 4047F230
3. Corporation Grantee Name: USDA
4. Mark the reporting quarter to which this form applies:
First Quarter Second Quarter X Third Quarter - Fourth Quarter
-
(10/1-12/31)
(1/1-3/31)
(4/1-6/30)
(7/1-9/30)
5. Name of person completing this report: Rebecca Oreskes
6. Position of person completing this report: Program Coordinator
7. Telephone number: 603-447-5448
8. Fax number: 603-447-8405
10.
FULL TIME
PART TIME
No. of Members allotted to your sites
32
No. of Members enrolled on last day
of 3rd Qtr.
29
No. of Members who served entire
3rd Qtr.
29
No. of Members who left sites during
the 3rd Qtr.
3
No. of Members who joined sites during
3rd Qtr.
Total Members service hours during
the 3rd Qtr.
16,337.5
Total Members service hours to date
27,943
11.
Please provide estimates of the following:
(a). Total number of non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers involved in AmeriCorps
service activities this quarter: 36
(b) Total hours spent on AmeriCorps service activities by non-AmeriCorps M
volunteers this quarter: 233
12. Summary of Progress this Reporting Quarter Toward Accomplishing Annual
Objectives:
In each section below, briefly restate your objectives and describe
progress toward them this quarter. Where available, describe relevant
evaluation data. Note evaluation activities in which you have engaged.
(a) Direct Service Objectives:
Complete recreation facility construction and maintenance as determined by
project specialists:
We have made progress toward decreasing our recreation facility
backlog by maintaining over 300 developed recreation sites
campgrounds to a high standard of public satisfaction; by improving
facility condition at Jigger Johnson toilets and pumphouse and at the
Bartlett Lodge; by maintaining 4 backcountry toilet facilities.
Enhance and/or monitor the ecosystems for threatened and endangered
species, including 15 acres of habitat improvement, 200 acres of headwater
streams stocked with Atlantic salmon, and 10 wildlife monitoring sites:
We exceeded our goal of 200 acres stocked with juvenile atlantic
salmon by 177.88 acres; exceed our wildlife habitat improvement goal
by 7.7 acres this quarter; and continue to work toward our goals for
wildlife monitoring sites.
Provide at least 300 school children with "Forest As A Classroom"
environmental education:
We exceeded our goal of reaching 300 students with environmental
education by over 100 students.
Enhance/maintain 50 miles of hiking trails to forest standards and
guidelines:
We exceeded our goal of maintaining 50 miles of trails by 2.9 miles
this quarter. We also constructed 68 hiker and public information
signs.
Provide 180 human-hours for New Hampshire Trails' Day:
This event will take place in the fourth quarter.
Provide 16 interpretive programs at Forest Service campgrounds and
cooperator Visitor Information Centers:
These events are ongoing with approximately 8 programs completed to
date.
Enhance Wilderness management by providing wilderness education to 1,000
visitors, maintain 25 miles of trail to Wilderness standards and guidelines
and restore 10 dispersed use sites:
We have just begun our Wilderness Visitor Information contacts for the
summer season as well as the Wilderness Trail work.
Provide 6,000 forest visitors with information and education on low-impact
camping, mountain safety, alpine zone protection and wilderness ethics and
assist with search and rescue as needed;
We have exceeded this goal by already contacting 7,000 Forest visitors
and the numbers continue to climb!
Participate in 5. community service days
To date we have participated in 3 community service days/projects.
(b) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives:
Training
We have met AmeriCorps member training objectives this quarter by
providing:
Defensive Driving
Basic Firefighting (S-130 and S-190)
Chainsaw Use and Operation
Environmental Education
SCA Wilderness Work Skills
Timber Workskills
Falcon Monitoring
Interpretive Training Institute
Conflict Resolution and Group Dynamics
In addition to these formal trainings, we have had on-going experiential
training on low-impact camping, mountain safety and survival and community
living/problem-solving.
Leadership
A new aspect of the program this quarter is that we now have Corps members
taking over direct project coordination and leadership. The project
coordinator oversees logistics, preparedness, accountability, monitoring
and safety on individual projects. This has greatly increased the learning
and leadership opportunities for AmeriCorps members.
(c) Community Building/Strengthening Objectives:
This quarter the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps has gotten out
into the local community for more collaborations than the previous quarter:
Provided 20 inner-city youth with the chance to work side by side with
AmeriCorps members for an overnight and a day;
Worked with local high school students to clean up a section of New
Hampshire Highway 16 and now those students will be taking on this
responsibility in the future;
Provided local and regional school children with environmental
education and hiking trips on the national forest;
Coordinated a week of service for eleven Portsmouth High School
students;
Joined the local community in the Swift River Clean-up day.
In addition we continue to work on our own community building and
strengthening through problem solving, discussion and community
decision-making.
13. Other Accomplishments this Quarter: (Make note of any accomplishments
or things gotten done not described above.)
Administrative
The White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps successfully completed the
winter schedule of projects and moved forward with developing and beginning
work on the summer schedule. This was a well-met challenge to our logistic
and planning skills.
This quarter has been one of rapid change and growth. We have transitioned
from a residential-facility based program to backcountry "spike camps".
We've developed new support systems fro supplying food, shelter and tools
to the crews. AmeriCorps members have all completed defensive driving and
are now able to drive the program vehicles. This has been a huge help
allowing Corps members to be more responsible and to take on Project
Coordinator roles.
We have improved our documentation by creating a portfolio which includes
project evaluations, member project evaluations, weekly reports,
communications and site specific Risk Management Plans.
The Risk Management Plans include location of the nearest medical facility,
communication plans in case of an emergency, radio contact protocol,
emergency contact information and first aid kits.
We have developed a Project Coordinator packet detailing all the
procedures, including pre- and post-work checklists, for planning,
implementing and supervising work projects. AmeriCorps members sign up to
be Project Coordinators with technical support provided by crew leaders and
Forest Service staff.
Field Projects
Listed below are the field projects that have been accomplished this
quarter, including total hours required and the corresponding cost had we
used force account GS-5 employees (not including overhead/administration
costs).
Facility Construction/Maintenance and Program Preparation
Constructed a 12'x8'x6' shed to store recycling bins and materials,
enabling AmeriCorps to comply with kitchen health and safety codes
while also setting a positive example of community recycling.
Constructed shelving in a 6'x8' room in the base facility to be used
for resupply and pack-out space for support of spike camps.
Reroofed 4 toilet buildings, 20x20' each, and one pump house at Jigger
Johnson Campground along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. (420.5 hours=
$3,910,65)
Completed the construction of the Bartlett Lodge at the Bartlett
Experimental Forest, bringing the facility up to health and safety
code standards. This building is used by researchers, graduate
students and Forest Service seasonal employees doing work on the
national forest. (294.5=$2650.50)
Inventoried and checked the condition of supplies and equipment in
five Forest Service emergency fire caches, assuring that proper
equipment is available and ready to use in the event of a forest fire.
(98 hours=$9114)
Trail Maintenance and Construction
Finished 52.9 miles of level one trail maintenance, including clearing
blowdowns and cutting brush on trails that otherwise might have
remained difficult to use. (535.5 hours=$4980.15)
Concluded several level two trail reconstruction projects including:
7 sets of rock steps; 180' foot path within Covered Bridge Campground
on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway; three timber foot bridges (22' 12' and
12') ; construction of water bars and other drainage and
erosion-control devices. All of these projects have created or
improved access to national forest hiking trails and have controlled
resource damage due to soil loss from erosion and widening of trails.
(1375 hours= $12,787.50)
Built a set of 3 bridges over a beaver pond totaling 46 feet and
including 7 stringers and 2 cribs. These bridges provide access to an
area that had become inaccessible due to a growing beaver pond. (280
hours=$2604)
Prepared 5 national forest campgrounds, and over 300 campsites, for
summer use by raking, cleaning, chipping brush, staining picnic tables
and removing hazard trees so that campers would have a safe and
enjoyable experience. (290 hours= $2697)
Removed human waste from 4 backcountry campsites so they would remain
usable and not contaminate ground water. (104 hours+ $967.20)
Constructed 8 trail-user registration boxes to assist with monitoring
national forest use. (72 hours= $669.60)
Visitor Information and Education
Provided information, education and search and rescue as needed to
7,000 visitors to Tuckerman Ravine, Mt. Washington during the popular
spring-skiing season. Several AmeriCorps members also assisted the
Forest Service and the public by shooting video footage of falling ice
and search and rescue activities in Tuckerman ravine in preparation
for creating a short, public safety video. (510 hours=$4743)
Three Corps members planned and prepared a display for the Saco
Visitor Information Center to honor national wildflower week. They
worked with a local nursery to get supplies for the display, provided
wildflower interpretive information and left the Forest Service with
resources to use for future displays and programs.
Two Corps members are working on a tree identification pamphlet to
help forest visitors learn more about local forests and resources.
The Corps worked with 160 local elementary school students to identify
and plant 160 trees as part of the Kids for Trees project.
Eleven Corps members worked with the Appalachian Mountain Club and
local schools to provide environmental education to over 300 school
children. Many of these kids, although they live next door to the
national forest, have never gone for a hike or explored the mountains
around them. (1320 hours = $12,276)
Cultural Resources
AmeriCorps members are currently assisting the Forest Archaeologist by
researching information on native people, including participation in
an archaeological dig. The members will document and present their
findings, including a slide show.
Timber Stand Improvement
Selected and released 52 acres of White and Yellow Birch trees in 8-10
year old clear-cuts to improve future timber quality. (643
hours=$5980.12)
Worked on post-timber sale clean-up and rehabilitation on 12 acres of
the Homestead Timber sale and 3 acres along Evans Notch Highway to
improve wildlife habitat and increase the visual quality. (212
hours=$1971.60)
Visual Quality
Cut, cleared and chipped trees along a 1,000 foot stretch of the
Kancamagus Scenic Byway to reclaim scenic views. (248 hours=
$2306.40)
Public Information Signs
Routed and painted 68 trail and public information signs, including a
detailed public safety sign warning hikers and skiers of the danger of
falling ice in Tuckerman Ravine. (316 hours= $2938.80)
Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Improvement
Maintained 22.7 acres of wildlife openings using prescribed burning.
(204 hours=$1897.20)
Stocked 377.88 acres (139.85 miles) of the Baker, Mad River, South
Branch of Baker, Stinson Brook, Beebe, Pemigewassett, Ammonoosuc,
Tunnel Brook and Gale Rivers with Atlantic Salmon Fry as part of a
multi-agency atlantic salmon restoration effort. (332 hours=$3087.60)
Stocked 8-14 inch Brook Trout in the Wild River in an effort to
increase survival rates. (16 hours= $148.80)
Continue to assist with small mammal trapping as part of the White
Mountain National Forest wildlife monitoring efforts.
Checked and cleaned rain gauges and weirs at the Hubbard Brook
Experimental Forest to assist with Forest Health monitoring. (80
hours=$744)
Community Service
Picked up 63 bags of trash along 2 miles of New Hampshire Highway 16
in collaboration with Gorham, NH High School students who plan to
continue to pick up trash along this section of road.
Participated in a cooperative clean-up of the Swift River along the
Kancamagus Scenic Byway in Albany, NH. In addition to ten White
Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps members, 92 people from the
surrounding communities took part in the day.
14. Unique successes or great stories : (Include stories that would best
communicate to the public how AmeriCorps service gets things done.
Particularly helpful are stories that include numerical results and
creative solutions.)
When a sixty-one year old skier dislocated his shoulder on the
Sherburne Ski trail, five AmeriCorps members who were working on the
trail and were recently certified in Wilderness First Aid were able to
put their training into practice and assist the man. The skier was
extremely grateful and the members were happy to have used their
training.
AmeriCorps established a strong partnership with a group of eleven
high school students from Portsmouth, New Hampshire who elected to
spend their spring break doing trail work on the White Mountain
National Forest. The parents of two of the students were so impressed
by the impact made on their sons that they wrote a letter to President
Clinton and their Congressional delegations expressing their support
of the WMNF AmeriCorps and the entire AmeriCorps program. The
following excerpt from a letter written by the coordinator of the
exchange, an AmeriCorps Learn and Serve participant, exemplifies the
week:
"We were all moved by the quality of your work and the warmness
of your community. I'm amazed that you all can work that hard
with such persistence and commitment. I have a great new
perspective."
Using prescribed burning to maintain and create wildlife habitat was
one of the Corps most challenging and gratifying jobs, from learning
to use firefighting tools, to the hard work of creating and
controlling fire for the benefit of ecosytems.
The "pack-out" room designed and built by the AmeriCorps members,
though small, is a special success. The plethora of dry goods stored
and measured there for crews to take into the woods with them for
week-long stints is now organized efficiently and deliberately. Our
cook has studied many aspects of backcountry cooking to be sure crews
have the proper amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in a
wide-variety of non-perishable and satisfying foods. Each week, one
or two members assist with getting food ready and thereby learn for
themselves about the challenges of remote meal planning and nutrition.
15. Primary Challenges Encountered this Quarter: (Report on problems
resolved and unresolved, obstacles to achieving program objectives,
significant sources of delay, program elements not meeting expectations,
events or incidents that caused concern.) Primary Training and Technical
Assistance Needs this Quarter: None.
The Project Director resigned in April and we decided not to fill his
position directly but to re-define the staffing structure. This has
meant increased responsibility for crew leaders and AmeriCorps members
alike.
One of our primary challenges has been learning to live in harmony
with the Maine Army National Guard with whom we share our residential
facility. Different expectations and understandings have led to some
disatisfaction on all sides. We continue to negotiate, assess and
reassess our progress. This forces us to be reminded of the
real-world difficulties of peaceful co-existence between different
groups of people!
There is a constant and general difficulty of trying to meet the
personal, professional, programatic and scheduling needs of 32
different individuals. In addition to the Corps member needs we have
needs and expectations on behalf of all the partners: the White
Mountain National Forest, the Student Conservation Association/New
Hampshire Conservation Corps, the Maine Army National Guard, USDA and
even the Corporation. In our hurry to get our program up and running
we did not put as much up-front time into discussing expectations and
roles as would have been helpful. On the other hand, we've learned a
lot and are eager to do more and better planning in the future.
16. National Identity Activities this Quarter: (Report on activities this
quarter that fostered the national identity of AmeriCorps. Examples could
include new uniforms, signage or publicity materials; projects with other
AmeriCorps programs; coordination with State Commissions or Corporation
state offices; training members in national skill areas
(communication/conflict resolution or CPR/first aid) ; participation in
national service projects (HIV/AIDS awareness training, environmental
audits, or citizenship education); graduations or swearing-in ceremonies,
use of national recruitment, use of AmeriCorps Member Handbook.)
Participated in a State-wide AmeriCorps event focused on accomplishing
group tasks.
Acquired and affixed AmeriCorps patches to our uniforms.
Acquired AmeriCorps baseball caps.
Collaborated with an AmeriCorps Learn and Serve member who brought 11
high school students to visit our program and work with us for a few
days. Their experience was so positive they wrote letters of thanks
and the parents of two students wrote letter to President Clinton and
their Congressional representatives expressing their appreciation for
AmeriCorps.
Collaborated with 20 students from Roxbury, Massachusetts to introduce
them to national forests, the mountains, trail work and career
possibilities in natural resources, including AmeriCorps.
Provided information and safety education to 7,000 skiers and hikers
on the White Mountain National Forest in Tuckerman Ravine, explaining
to many of them who and what AmeriCorps is.
17. Significant Program Changes this Quarter: (Report staff turnover in
management or supervisory positions, changes in partner/sponsor
relationships, changes in board membership, AmeriCorps Member attrition
etc.)
Our Program Director, hired through our 3rd party partnership with the
Student Conservation Association, resigned. We also lost several members
for personal reasons. The departure of the members and the Project
Director were felt strongly by the rest of the Corps members. Although
this was a temporary setback and a disappointment it has not made us suffer
from any long-term effects that would decrease our ability to meet our
objectives.
Operating Site ID #94ADFDC010
Corporation for National Service
Operating Site Quarterly Report
1. Operating site name: White Mountain National Forest
2. Program name: White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps
3. Corporation grantee name: USDA
4. Mark the reporting quarter to which this form applies:
First Quarter
x Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
(10/1-12/31)
(1/1-3/31)
(4/1-6/30)
(7/1-9/30)
5. On what date did your AmeriCorps Members begin service or training?1/15/95
6. In the table below indicate (a) the number of full and part-time AmeriCorps
Members that were enrolled as of the last day of the reporting quarter and
(b) the total cumulative service hours completed by the AmeriCorps Members
as of the last day of the reporting quarter.
Number of
Total Cumulative
AmeriCorps Members
Hours of required Service
Full-time
32
11,605.5
Part-time
7. Please provide estimates of the following:
(a) Total number of non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers
who were involved in AmeriCorps service activities:
10
(b) Total hours of AmeriCorps service activities completed
by non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers:
80
Operating Site ID # 94ADFDC010
Primary Accomplishments this Quarter: (In detail, describe your central
activities, project milestones, and most important "things gotten done" this
quarter.)
The White Mountain National Forest, in partnership with the Student
Conservation Association's New Hampshire Conservation Corps, has successfully
put a brand new AmeriCorps program into the field. Starting on January 2 1995,
the leadership team arrived for two weeks of training in preparation for the
Corps' members arrival. During this training session, the Crew Leaders and
Project Director went through a variety of workshops related to both "soft" and
"hard" skills.
Thirty-two AmeriCorps members arrived on January 15 to begin their 1700 hours
of community service. It was amazing how Corps members adjusted to living as a
community, an essential component to a successful and productive Corps. They
are a fabulous group. Corps members went through a two-week training that
covered first aid, winter preparedness, conflict resolution, essentials of
community living and an introduction to public land management.
We were especially pleased to have successfully recruited 32 dynamic and
committed AmeriCorps members from diverse geographic, socio-economic, racial
and ethnic backgrounds.
After the initial training period the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps
hit the field and accomplished the following:
Training
Complete training in: CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Search and Rescue, Project
Documentation, Community Dynamics, Leave No Trace, public education and
information.
Facility Development and Program Preparation
Acquired tools and equipment to perform work projects.
Constructed roof racks with the AmeriCorps name allowing us to carry tools
and equipment in compliance with Forest Service health and Safety Code.
Built recycling bins to store our kitchen waste.
Reconstructed the interior of a house used for seasonal and researcher
housing, at the Bartlett Experimental Forest. This project involved
technical aspects of building construction, and also of hanging drywall,
taping, mudding, and painting.
Painted the inside of the Tuckerman Ravine Snow Ranger Cabin. This cabin
is used as crew quarters for Forest Service Snow Rangers and as a staging
area for the Mt. Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol in winter and spring. In
addition, it is used as a first aid and search and rescue room. Completing
this project helped to reduce the forest recreation facility maintenance
backlog and gives the public a much nicer place to receive first aid
assistance!
Renovated the interior of a bathroom in another building on the Bartlett
site.
Sharpened tools for several Ranger Districts in preparation for the
upcoming summer work season.
Vista Enhancement
Cleared 1/4 mile scenic vista along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway at Lower
Falls.
Cleared 30 acres of scenic vista by Green's Cliff along the Kancamagus
Scenic Byway. The Scenic Byway is visited by over 200,000 people annually.
Clearing these vistas has reclaimed spectacular views for visitors.
Trail Maintenance and Construction
Removed an existing wooden bridge from the Sherburne Ski Trail and replaced
it with a 20' bridge. This bridge allows skiers to access the ski trail and
also allows passage for the Forest Service Thiokol. This machine is used
by Snow Rangers for search and rescue.
Brushed 4 miles of hiking and ski trail along the Tuckerman Ravine Trail,
the Sherburne Ski Trail and the Huntington Fire Road on Mt. Washington.
These trails are in one of the most heavily used backcountry recreation
areas, accessing Tuckerman Ravine which is famous for spring skiing. This
also allows Forest Service Snow Rangers to more easily access Tuckerman
Ravine for search and rescue.
Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Cleared 52 acres of brush at the "Hotel Site" along the Kancamagus Scenic
Byway. This will maintain a permanent opening for bluebirds (a Forest
indicator species) and other species that utilize grassy openings thereby
increasing the Forest biodiversity.
Cleared 3 acres at Marsh Brook to restore an historic apple orchard. This
will create special habitat for increased mast production and to create
permanent wildlife openings as directed in the White Mountain National
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Cleared 3 acres at Livermore to restore an historic apple orchard. See
above.
Cleared 5 acres to restore an historic apple orchard at Grey's Field. See
above.
Timber Stand Improvement
Selected and released 30 acres of white and yellow birch trees within an
eight year old clear cut, to improve future timber quality
Sign Construction
Routed, painted and stained 120 trail and public information signs. These
signs will be used to help visitors find their way on hiking trails, along
Forest roads and at Forest information centers.
Based on the number of hours spent we calculate that it would have cost the
Forest Service $86,220 (based on a GS-3 $7.43/hour wage and not including
administrative costs) to complete these projects without AmeriCorps.
Operating Site ID # 94ADFDC010
Unique successes or "great stories": (Briefly describe unique and/or
exceptional successes, program highlights, or "great stories" about AmeriCorps
people, projects, or partnerships that occurred this quarter.)
Our greatest story is that we began a new program with 32 people who had never
met one another in the middle of a New England winter and turned the group into
a productive and positive team, performing meaningful work on the national
forest. We have developed strong partnerships across private, federal and
non-profit organizational lines between the Forest Service, Student
Conservation Association, Maine Army National Guard, New Hampshire AmeriCorps
Commission and others. We are all proud of the cooperative effort and spirit
that is making the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps a success.
The positive group dynamic of our Corps is directly related to our having gone
through challenge and adversity--from dealing with difficult winter conditions,
the ambiguities of a new program, and the variety of needs, requests and
expectations of the individuals and organizations involved.
A Few Reflections from the Corps
Seven Corps members and a crew leader stayed out overnight at the Marsh Brook
site, where we were releasing apple trees for historic value and as a Wildlife
Habitat Improvement site. As the sun was setting behind the Presidential range
across the valley, we heard the woodcock's "peet", a sound that woodcocks make
during the Spring to attract a mate. In the site that we had opened for
wildlife, we watched the woodcock perform its mating ritual. First it made its
"peet" sound over and over again for about a minute. Then this typically
ground-dwelling bird flew up into the air. As it is a ground-dwelling bird,
its wings are not really suited for flying, and as it rose through the
twilight, its wings made a whistling sound. In order to complete the ritual,
the woodcock swoops in a large circle and finally returns close to the exact
spot it started, always making its whistling sound. This continued all night,
and we all felt gratified to have cleared a field exclusively for the benefit
of animals like the woodcock.
Returning from work one day, a crew working on Timber Stand Improvement for the
Ammonoosuc Ranger District watched two moose cross the road and continue up
into a field beside the road. For many Corps members, living in Western Maine
provides a unique opportunity to be closer to wildlife such as moose and bear
and for some, these were the first moose they had ever seen.
One of the most challenging projects we have worked on so far is brushing the
Tuckerman Ravine Trail on Mt. Washington. Corps members rose to the challenge
and found satisfaction in working in below-freezing temperatures and frequent
snowfall which was at times waist-deep. Thousands of hikers use this trail and
many of them stopped and inquired about AmeriCorps, having seen our jackets.
When they learned what we were doing and why we were doing it, people thanked
us and told us what valuable work we were doing.
On another occasion two Corps members met a Civilian Conservation Corps alumnus
who explained that years ago he had worked on many projects on the national
forest, similar to what AmeriCorps is doing now. He commented on what a
valuable experience it was for him personally, and congratulated the two women
for embarking on such a challenging, rewarding year.
Quotes from the Corps:
What are your favorite aspects of the program?
Seeing a group of people from very diverse backgrounds work together
effectively to get various conservation projects done.
Jenn Stevens
Mediating a conflict between two corps members. Becoming competent at
using a variety of tools, including my body, for work.
Suzanne Weil
Bringing 40 strangers together to make this AmeriCorps program successful
could easily have been Hercules' eigth task- especially when faced with the
cynicism of a few powerful Republicans. The success with which we've
ironed out such a broad spectrum of wrinkles ranging from organizing our
chores to completing our projects is a milestone for this corps, in my
eyes.
Joe Kiernan
Tracking animals for the Forest Service wildlife biologists. Renovating
the Bartlett Experimental Forest house. Forming a community with 40
strangers.
Mike Argus
I'm getting exposed to enough wonderful things to keep me busy for a
lifetime.
Claire Darling
Working hard with some of the nation's elite for a great cause that will
affect the preservation of a resource that people can enjoy in the future.
Andy Szott
Overcoming my fear of power tools.
Alison Chase
Learning how to identify trees and animal tracks.
Marc Richardson
I've learned to live with my group and respecting others' ideas. I'm also
learning to work under different levels of responsibility and maturity.
Roger Lates
I'm learning to be more of a leader. I have initiated things, helped with
organization, taken a role of command.
Anonymous
I feel that each individual here is concerned that the work we do be
something that impacts the community and the mountains in a positive way.
The media has had positive and negative comments to make about what we do
here. Personally acknowledging these contrasting views and comparing them
to the work we are able to finish for the Forest Service, I am able to see
past all the hype and feel that we are accomplishing a great deal in the
way of actual field work.
Anonymous
I feel that I have accomplished personal goals that I would not have if I
was somewhere else. I'm grateful to be here.
Erik Hamilton
Operating Site ID #94ADFDC010
Summary of Progress this Reporting Quarter Toward Accomplishing Annual
Objectives: (Briefly describe how accomplishments this quarter relate to
achieving each of your three sets of annual outcome objectives: (1) Direct
Service Objectives; (2) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives, and (3)
Community Building/Strengthening Objectives. Where available, describe
evaluation data that indicate progress during the past quarter toward achieving
your annual outcomes. Summarize activities related to establishing an
evaluation system or conducting your local evaluation (e.g., instruments
developed, data collection plans established, etc.)).
(1) Direct Service Objectives:
Exceeded our wildlife habitat improvement objective of 15 acres by
completing 63 acres.
Completed 4 miles of a 50 mile trail maintenance objective.
Completed the "Leave No Trace" training component in preparation for
contacting and presenting educational programs to Forest visitors.
Participated in 1 out of 5 scheduled community service days in a State-wide
AmeriCorps service event in Manchester, New Hampshire on Martin Luther King
Day.
Relieved Forest facility maintenance backlog by bringing the Bartlett Lodge
up to life and safety code.
Relieved Forest recreation facility maintenance backlog by painting the
Tuckerman ravine cabin.
Enhanced hiking trail system by constructing 120 information signs.
Operating Site ID #94ADFDC010
(2) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives:
Training
We have met AmeriCorps member training objectives by providing the following
opportunities:
Wilderness First Aid and Search and Rescue -- certification through
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO)
Training in conflict resolution.
Crash course in "Leave No Trace" environmental ethics.
Chainsaw operation and safety course.
One State-wide AmeriCorps training in leadership development.
Community development training.
Discussions on national forest issues and land management.
Leadership Development
The "Leader of the Day" and "Leader of the Week" responsibilities provide
Corps members with the opportunity to assume planning and on-site
leadership responsibilities at work sites and in the day-to-day life of the
community. Duties include additional leadership responsibility, running
logistics, making announcements before our meals, and facilitating the
weekly town meeting.
AmeriCorps Member-Driven projects allow members to work as teams or
individuals on projects of their own design, in cooperation with Forest
Service staff and members of the local communities. Each corps member has
begun a project which more closely relates to his or her personal goals and
ideals, and will allow him/her to function in a professional capacity away
from the Corps aspect of the program. In addition, it has proven to be
another means in which individuals take more ownership for the White
Mountain National Forest Americorps program. Projects range in scope from
animal tracking in the snow, to monitoring owl surveys, to working with
Forest Service personnel to study water levels within the forest.
3) Community Building/Strengthening Objectives:
A strong sense of community plays a key role in the productivity of any
program. Within the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps program it has
been a truly rewarding, yet challenging, experience to bring Corps members from
vastly different backgrounds together into a cooperative community.
Once a week the entire AmeriCorps community comes together for a New England
style Town Meeting. We allow time enough for each member to talk for a moment
about how he/she is feeling about his/her place in the community, to check-in,
and keep lines of communication open--not always easy with a group of 40
people.
Each Tuesday night, there are men and women's group meetings so that the group
can break in two and discuss issues on a more intimate level. We also meet in
small groups- one crew leader to four or five corps members- so that
individuals can express themselves without the eyes of the whole group upon
them.
We developed a chore-wheel which rotates on a daily and weekly basis with jobs
like meal preparation, morning reading presentation, and meal clean-up. This
gives each participant an equal share of community responsibility and work. It
eliminates any hard feelings among the Corps members about one person
consistently taking on more responsibility than another, and it allows each
participant pre-arranged time during the week for quiet space.
Evening activities include: bi-weekly gym night, where the local high school
has offered its facilities; going to the local fitness center where we receive
a discount; storytelling, mask making, a performance by Robert Post at Gould
Academy, campfires, night hikes, knitting, and talks by Forest Service staff.
On weekends, people have gotten together on their own time for ice climbing, an
environmental conference at Tufts University, and many hiking and skiing trips.
One of the more notable accomplishments of this first quarter is the diversity
of individuals we have brought together to form a unified whole. Two and a half
months into the program, the crew has seemed to hit stride. Friendships, based
on a common devotion to the environment, have brought about increased
self-esteem among the corps members, and a greater comfort with exploring new
challenges. More and more, individuals are expressing themselves and their
needs within the program. They are taking more and more initiative to make
their specific and unique contributions to the White Mountain National Forest.
Operating Site ID #94ADFDC010
Primary Challenges Encountered this Quarter: (Report on problems resolved and
unresolved, obstacles to achieving program objectives, significant sources of
delay, program elements not meeting expectations, events or incidents that
caused concern.)
A start-up program can not be expected to be free of challenges. We have begun
to look at the problems we are facing as opportunities for the corps members to
get more involved with the various aspects of the program and hopefully take
more ownership of, what they are saying, is a very valuable experience.
One of our greatest challenges is dealing with so much to do and so little time
to do it all! We seem to always crave more time for planning, thinking, making
work and living arrangements and juggling logistics. We are working to make
ourselves more efficient as a group and also to recognize that we have come a
long way in just over two months.
Another challenge for us has been learning to work and live in cold and snowy
weather. We have helped Corps members learn how to prepare for winter
conditions and have negotiated discounts with local outfitters to provide
winter gear at reduced prices. The positive side of meeting this challenge has
been the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment among the Corps that has
developed at being able to adjust to any and all weather conditions.
Collaborative efforts always pose a challenge to communication. We have had to
work hard at keeping lines open not only between Corps members and Crew Leaders
but also between the Corps, Forest Service staff, the Maine Army National
Guard, the Student Conservation Association, New Hampshire Conservation Corps
staff and the New Hampshire AmeriCorps program! All of us are making strong
efforts to be open and honest, to work out potential problems before they
escalate and most of all to appreciate the complexities and rewards of
partnerships and all we bring to it.
Our facility, the Bog Brook Training Facility, is shared with the Maine Army
National Guard (MARNG), operating under a special use permit from the White
Mountain National Forest. The MARNG has been very open and positive about
working with the AmeriCorps program and eager to cooperate across agencies.
Nevertheless, there sometimes arise the inevitable difficulties of sharing a
facility, needing more space and juggling schedules. Once again the prime way
to meet this challenge is through good communication.
Finally, we have been challenged to move beyond the usual youth corps programs
that we have worked on in the past to a very different adult service program.
The paradigms from our past experiences do not always translate directly into
AmeriCorps and we have had to recognize and adapt to the differences.
AmeriCorps member comments on what they see as the greatest challenges:
Taking private time when I can get it, which isn't always when I need it.
Rika Vesely
The hardest part about being here has been trying to find enough space and
time in such a tight community.
Stina Johnson
Acceptance into the community
balancing life outside of AmeriCorps with
my life in the Corps.
Jeff Kalman
Working steadily in a large group of diverse people while the wrinkles in
job objectives and management are smoothed out, and while we learn
applicable skills.
John Cooley
As a crew member in the first year of AmeriCorps, the largest challenge has
been forming a program in which we can all feel that we are providing a
valuable service to the larger community balanced with growth and learning
opportunities for each of us.
Anonymous
The surprising dearth of resources with which we are expected to succeed.
Emily Nash, Crew Leader
Primary Training and Technical Assistance Needs this Quarter:
Attached to this quarterly report form is a separate Training and
Assistance Request form. Should you have training or technical assistance
needs, complete the attached form and submit it along with your quarterly
report. It will be directed to the Training and Technical Assistance
Office. Technical assistance is available in many program-related areas,
including, amoung others, organizational development and management issues
fundraising, diversity, and best practices in site-specific skills.
Operating Site ID # 94ADFDC010
National Identity Activities this Quarter: (Report on activities this quarter
that fostered the national identity of AmeriCorps. Examples could include new
uniforms, signage or publicity materials; projects with other AmeriCorps
programs; training Members in national skill areas (communications/conflict
resolution, or CPR/first aid) ; participation in national service projects
(HIV/AIDS awareness training, environmental audits, or citizenship education);
graduations or swearing-in ceremonies, use of national recruitment, use of
AmeriCorps Member Handbook.)
To foster and increase our national AmeriCorps identity we have done the
following:
Purchased uniform jackets which say White Mountain National Forest
AmeriCorps and include the AmeriCorps patch; issues AmeriCorps T-shirts and
Carhart work pants to all members.
Ordered AmeriCorps decals for hard hats and tools.
Put the AmeriCorps name on tool racks on AmeriCorps vans and have ordered
metal door logos.
Participated in two State-wide AmeriCorps events.
Created a White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps handbook.
Completed training in CPR, first aid, conflict resolution and leadership
development.
Had a member swearing-in ceremony that included the Forest Service, the
Student Conservation Association, the New Hampshire Conservation Corps, New
Hampshire AmeriCorps, and the Maine Army National Guard.
Worked with local and regional media (Bethel Citizen, Concord Monitor,
Boston Globe, Public Television, and local radio) to let communities know
what we are doing and who we are.
Changes in Program Organization or Key Staff Positions during this Quarter:
(Report staff turnover in management or supervisory positions, changes in
partner/sponsor relationships, changes in board memberships, etc.)
No changes.
Operating Site ID #4047F230
Corporation for National Service
Operating Site Quarterly Report
1. Operating site name: White Mountain National Forest
2. Program name: White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps
3. Corporation grantee name: USDA
4. Mark the reporting quarter to which this form applies:
First Quarter
X Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
—
-
-
(10/1-12/31)
(1/1-3/31)
(4/1-6/30)
(7/1-9/30)
5. On what date did your AmeriCorps Members begin service or training?1/15/95
6. In the table below indicate (a) the number of full and part-time AmeriCorps
Members that were enrolled as of the last day of the reporting quarter and
(b) the total cumulative service hours completed by the AmeriCorps Members
as of the last day of the reporting quarter.
Number of
Total Cumulative
AmeriCorps Members
Hours of required Service
Full-time
32
11,605.5
Part-time
7. Please provide estimates of the following:
(a) Total number of non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers
who were involved in AmeriCorps service activities:
10
(b) Total hours of AmeriCorps service activities completed
by non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers:
80
41
Operating Site ID # 4047F230
Primary Accomplishments this Quarter: (In detail, describe your central
activities, project milestones, and most important "things gotten done" this
quarter.)
The White Mountain National Forest, in partnership with the Student Conservation
Association's New Hampshire Conservation Corps, has successfully put a brand new
AmeriCorps program into the field. Starting on January 2, 1995 the leadership
team arrived for two weeks of training in preparation for the Corps' members
arrival. During this training session, the Crew Leaders and Project Director
went through a variety of workshops related to both "soft" and "hard" skills.
Thirty-two AmeriCorps members arrived on January 15 to begin their 1700 hours of
community service. It was amazing how Corps members adjusted to living as a
community, an essential component to a successful and productive Corps. They
are a fabulous group. Corps members went through a two-week training that
covered first aid, winter preparedness, conflict resolution, essentials of
community living and an introduction to public land management.
We were especially pleased to have successfully recruited 32 dynamic and
committed AmeriCorps members from diverse geographic, socio-economic, racial and
ethnic backgrounds.
After the initial training period the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps
hit the field and accomplished the following:
Training
Complete training in: CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Search and Rescue,
Project Documentation, Community Dynamics, Leave No Trace, public
education and information.
Facility Development and Program Preparation
Acquired tools and equipment to perform work projects.
Constructed roof racks with the AmeriCorps name allowing us to carry
tools and equipment in compliance with Forest Service health and Safety
Code.
Built recycling bins to store our kitchen waste.
Reconstructed the interior of a house used for seasonal and researcher
housing, at the Bartlett Experimental Forest. This project involved
technical aspects of building construction, and also of hanging drywall,
taping, mudding, and painting.
42
Operating Site ID #4047F230
Painted the inside of the Tuckerman Ravine Snow Ranger Cabin. This cabin
is used as crew quarters for Forest Service Snow Rangers and as a staging
area for the Mt. Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol in winter and spring.
In addition, it is used as a first aid and search and rescue room.
Completing this project helped to reduce the forest recreation facility
maintenance backlog and gives the public a much nicer place to receive
first aid assistance!
Renovated the interior of a bathroom in another building on the Bartlett
site.
Sharpened tools for several Ranger Districts in preparation for the
upcoming summer work season.
Vista Enhancement
Cleared 1/4 mile scenic vista along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway at Lower
Falls.
Cleared 30 acres of scenic vista by Green's Cliff along the Kancamagus
Scenic Byway. The Scenic Byway is visited by over 200,000 people
annually. Clearing these vistas has reclaimed spectacular views for
visitors.
Trail Maintenance and Construction
Removed an existing wooden bridge from the Sherburne Ski Trail and
replaced it with a 20' bridge. This bridge allows skiers to access the
ski trail and also allows passage for the Forest Service Thiokol. This
machine is used by Snow Rangers for search and rescue.
Brushed 4 miles of hiking and ski trail along the Tuckerman Ravine Trail,
the Sherburne Ski Trail and the Huntington Fire Road on Mt. Washington.
These trails are in one of the most heavily used backcountry recreation
areas, accessing Tuckerman Ravine which is famous for spring skiing.
This also allows Forest Service Snow Rangers to more easily access
Tuckerman Ravine for search and rescue.
Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Cleared 52 acres of brush at the "Hotel Site" along the Kancamagus Scenic
Byway. This will maintain a permanent opening for bluebirds (a Forest
indicator species) and other species that utilize grassy openings thereby
increasing the Forest biodiversity.
Cleared 3 acres at Marsh Brook to restore an historic apple orchard.
This will create special habitat for increased mast production and to
create permanent wildlife openings as directed in the White Mountain
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Cleared 3 acres at Livermore to restore an historic apple orchard. See
above.
43
Operating Site ID #4047F230
Cleared 5 acres to restore an historic apple orchard at Grey's Field.
See above.
Timber Stand Improvement
Selected and released 30 acres of white and yellow birch trees within an
eight year old clear cut, to improve future timber quality
Sign Construction
Routed, painted and stained 120 trail and public information signs.
These signs will be used to help visitors find their way on hiking
trails, along Forest roads and at Forest information centers.
Based on the number of hours spent we calculate that it would have cost the
Forest Service $86,220 (based on a GS-3 $7.43/hour wage and not including
administrative costs) to complete these projects without AmeriCorps.
Unique successes or "great stories": (Briefly describe unique and/or exceptional
successes, program highlights, or "great stories" about AmeriCorps people,
projects, or partnerships that occurred this quarter.)
Our greatest story is that we began a new program with 32 people who had never
met one another in the middle of a New England winter and turned the group into
a productive and positive team, performing meaningful work on the national
forest. We have developed strong partnerships across private, federal and
non-profit organizational lines between the Forest Service, Student Conservation
Association, Maine Army National Guard, New Hampshire AmeriCorps Commission and
others. We are all proud of the cooperative effort and spirit that is making
the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps a success.
The positive group dynamic of our Corps is directly related to our having gone
through challenge and adversity--from dealing with difficult winter conditions,
the ambiguities of a new program, and the variety of needs, requests and
expectations of the individuals and organizations involved.
A Few Reflections from the Corps
Seven Corps members and a crew leader stayed out overnight at the Marsh Brook
site, where we were releasing apple trees for historic value and as a Wildlife
Habitat Improvement site. As the sun was setting behind the Presidential range
across the valley, we heard the woodcock's "peet", a sound that woodcocks make
during the Spring to attract a mate. In the site that we had opened for
wildlife, we watched the woodcock perform its mating ritual. First it made its
"peet" sound over and over- again for about a minute. Then this typically
ground-dwelling bird flew up into the air. As it is a ground-dwelling bird, its
wings are not really suited for flying, and as it rose through the
44
Operating Site ID #4047F230
twilight, its wings made a whistling sound. In order to complete the ritual,
the woodcock swoops in a large circle and finally returns close to the exact
spot it started, always making its whistling sound. This continued all night,
and we all felt gratified to have cleared a field exclusively for the benefit of
animals like the woodcock.
Returning from work one day, a crew working on Timber Stand Improvement for the
Ammonoosuc Ranger District watched two moose cross the road and continue up into
a field beside the road. For many Corps members, living in Western Maine
provides a unique opportunity to be closer to wildlife such as moose and bear
and for some, these were the first moose they had ever seen.
One of the most challenging projects we have worked on so far is brushing the
Tuckerman Ravine Trail on Mt. Washington. Corps members rose to the challenge
and found satisfaction in working in below-freezing temperatures and frequent
snowfall which was at times waist-deep. Thousands of hikers use this trail and
many of them stopped and inquired about AmeriCorps, having seen our jackets.
When they learned what we were doing and why we were doing it, people thanked
us and told us what valuable work we were doing.
On another occasion two Corps members met a Civilian Conservation Corps alumnus
who explained that years ago he had worked on many projects on the national
forest, similar to what AmeriCorps is doing now. He commented on what a valuable
experience it was for him personally, and congratulated the two women for
embarking on such a challenging, rewarding year.
Quotes from the Corps:
What are your favorite aspects of the program?
Seeing a group of people from very diverse backgrounds work together
effectively to get various conservation projects done.
Jenn Stevens
Mediating a conflict between two corps members. Becoming competent at
using a variety of tools, including my body, for work.
Suzanne Weil
Bringing 40 strangers together to make this AmeriCorps program successful
could easily have been Hercules' eigth task- especially when faced with
the cynicism of a few powerful Republicans. The success with which we've
ironed out such a broad spectrum of wrinkles ranging from organizing our
chores to completing our projects is a milestone for this corps, in my
eyes.
Joe Kiernan
Tracking animals for the Forest Service wildlife biologists. Renovating
the Bartlett Experimental Forest house. Forming a community with 40
strangers.
Mike Argus
45
Operating Site ID #4047F230
I'm getting exposed to enough wonderful things to keep me busy for a
lifetime.
Claire Darling
Working hard with some of the nation's elite for a great cause that will
affect the preservation of a resource that people can enjoy in the
future.
Andy Szott
Overcoming my fear of power tools.
Alison Chase
Learning how to identify trees and animal tracks.
Marc Richardson
I've learned to live with my group and respecting others' ideas. I'm
also learning to work under different levels of responsibility and
maturity.
Roger Lates
I'm learning to be more of a leader. I have initiated things, helped
with organization, taken a role of command.
Anonymous
I feel that each individual here is concerned that the work we do be
something that impacts the community and the mountains in a positive way.
The media has had positive and negative comments to make about what we do
here. Personally acknowledging these contrasting views and comparing
them to the work we are able to finish for the Forest Service, I am able
to see past all the hype and feel that we are accomplishing a great deal
in the way of actual field work.
Anonymous
I feel that I have accomplished personal goals that I would not have if I
was somewhere else. I'm grateful to be here.
Erik Hamilton
Summary of Progress this Reporting Quarter Toward Accomplishing Annual
Objectives: (Briefly describe how accomplishments this quarter relate to
achieving each of your three sets of annual outcome objectives: (1) Direct
Service Objectives; (2) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives, and (3)
Community Building/Strengthening Objectives. Where available, describe
evaluation data that indicate progress during the past quarter toward achieving
your annual outcomes. Summarize activities related to establishing an
evaluation system or conducting your local evaluation (e.g., instruments
developed, data collection plans established, etc.)).
(1) Direct Service Objectives:
Exceeded our wildlife habitat improvement objective of 15 acres by
completing 63 acres.
Completed 4 miles of a 50 mile trail maintenance objective.
46
erating Site ID #4047F230
Completed the "Leave No Trace" training component in preparation for
contacting and presenting educational programs to Forest visitors.
Participated in 1 out of 5 scheduled community service days in a
State-wide AmeriCorps service event in Manchester, New Hampshire on
Martin Luther King Day.
Relieved Forest facility maintenance backlog by bringing the Bartlett
Lodge up to life and safety code.
Relieved Forest recreation facility maintenance backlog by painting the
Tuckerman ravine cabin.
Enhanced hiking trail system by constructing 120 information signs.
AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives:
aining
have met AmeriCorps member training objectives by providing the following
portunities:
Wilderness First Aid and Search and Rescue certification through
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO)
Training in conflict resolution.
Crash course in "Leave No Trace" environmental ethics.
Chainsaw operation and safety course.
One State-wide AmeriCorps training in leadership development.
Community development training.
Discussions on national forest issues and land management.
adership Development
The "Leader of the Day" and "Leader of the Week" responsibilities provide
Corps members with the opportunity to assume planning and on-site
leadership responsibilities at work sites and in the day-to-day life of
the community. Duties include additional leadership responsibility,
running logistics, making announcements before our meals, and
facilitating the weekly-town meeting.
AmeriCorps Member-Driven projects allow members to work as teams or
individuals on projects of their own design, in cooperation with Forest
Service staff and members of the local communities. Each corps member
has begun a project which more closely relates to his or her personal
goals and ideals, and will allow him/her to function in a professional
capacity away
47
Operating Site ID #4047F230
from the Corps aspect of the program. In addition, it has proven to be
another means in which individuals take more ownership for the White
Mountain National Forest Americorps program. Projects range in scope
from animal tracking in the snow, to monitoring owl surveys, to working
with Forest Service personnel to study water levels within the forest.
3) Community Building/Strengthening Objectives:
A strong sense of community plays a key role in the productivity of any program.
Within the White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps program it has been a truly
rewarding, yet challenging, experience to bring Corps members from vastly
different backgrounds together into a cooperative community.
Once a week the entire AmeriCorps community comes together for a New England
style Town Meeting. We allow time enough for each member to talk for a moment
about how he/she is feeling about his/her place in the community, to check-in,
and keep lines of communication open--not always easy with a group of 40 people.
Each Tuesday night, there are men and women's group meetings so that the group
can break in two and discuss issues on a more intimate level. We also meet in
small groups- one crew leader to four or five corps members- so that individuals
can express themselves without the eyes of the whole group upon them.
We developed a chore-wheel which rotates on a daily and weekly basis with jobs
like meal preparation, morning reading presentation, and meal clean-up. This
gives each participant an equal share of community responsibility and work. It
eliminates any hard feelings among the Corps members about one person
consistently taking on more responsibility than another, and it allows each
participant pre-arranged time during the week for quiet space.
Evening activities include: bi-weekly gym night, where the local high school has
offered its facilities; going to the local fitness center where we receive a
discount; storytelling, mask making, a performance by Robert Post at Gould
Academy, campfires, night hikes, knitting, and talks by Forest Service staff. On
weekends, people have gotten together on their own time for ice climbing, an
environmental conference at Tufts University, and many hiking and skiing trips.
One of the more notable accomplishments of this first quarter is the diversity
of individuals we have brought together to form a unified whole. Two and a half
months into the program, the crew has seemed to hit stride. Friendships, based
on a common devotion to the environment, have brought about increased
self-esteem among the corps members, and a greater comfort with exploring new
challenges. More and more, individuals are expressing themselves and their
needs within the program.. They are taking more and more initiative to make
their specific and unique contributions to the White Mountain National Forest.
48
Operating Site ID #4047F230
Primary Challenges Encountered this Quarter: (Report on problems resolved and
unresolved, obstacles to achieving program objectives, significant sources of
delay, program elements not meeting expectations, events or incidents that
caused concern.)
A start-up program can not be expected to be free of challenges. We have begun
to look at the problems we are facing as opportunities for the corps members to
get more involved with the various aspects of the program and hopefully take
more ownership of, what they are saying, is a very valuable experience.
One of our greatest challenges is dealing with so much to do and so little time
to do it all! We seem to always crave more time for planning, thinking, making
work and living arrangements and juggling logistics. We are working to make
ourselves more efficient as a group and also to recognize that we have come a
long way in just over two months.
Another challenge for us has been learning to work and live in cold and snowy
weather. We have helped Corps members learn how to prepare for winter
conditions and have negotiated discounts with local outfitters to provide winter
gear at reduced prices. The positive side of meeting this challenge has been
the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment among the Corps that has developed
at being able to adjust to any and all weather conditions.
Collaborative efforts always pose a challenge to communication. We have had to
work hard at keeping lines open not only between Corps members and Crew Leaders
but also between the Corps, Forest Service staff, the Maine Army National Guard,
the Student Conservation Association, New Hampshire Conservation Corps staff and
the New Hampshire AmeriCorps program! All of us are making strong efforts to be
open and honest, to work out potential problems before they escalate and most of
all to appreciate the complexities and rewards of partnerships and all we bring
to it.
Our facility, the Bog Brook Training Facility, is shared with the Maine Army
National Guard (MARNG), operating under a special use permit from the White
Mountain National Forest. The MARNG has been very open and positive about
working with the AmeriCorps program and eager to cooperate across agencies.
Nevertheless, there sometimes arise the inevitable difficulties of sharing a
facility, needing more space and juggling schedules. Once again the prime way
to meet this challenge is through good communication.
Finally, we have been challenged to move beyond the usual youth corps programs
that we have worked on in the past to a very different adult service program.
The paradigms from our past experiences do not always translate directly into
AmeriCorps and we have had to recognize and adapt to the differences.
49
Operating Site ID #4047F230
AmeriCorps member comments on what they see as the greatest challenges:
Taking private time when I can get it, which isn't always when I need it.
Rika Vesely
The hardest part about being here has been trying to find enough space
and time in such a tight community.
Stina Johnson
Acceptance into the community,
balancing life outside of AmeriCorps
with my life in the Corps.
Jeff Kalman
Working steadily in a large group of diverse people while the wrinkles in
job objectives and management are smoothed out, and while we learn
applicable skills.
John Cooley
As a crew member in the first year of AmeriCorps, the largest challenge
has been forming a program in which we can all feel that we are providing
a valuable service to the larger community balanced with growth and
learning opportunities for each of us.
Anonymous
The surprising dearth of resources with which we are expected to succeed.
Emily Nash, Crew Leader
National Identity Activities this Quarter: (Report on activities this quarter
that fostered the national identity of AmeriCorps. Examples could include new
uniforms, signage or publicity materials; projects with other AmeriCorps
programs; training Members in national skill areas (communications/conflict
resolution, or CPR/first aid) ; participation in national service projects
(HIV/AIDS awareness training, environmental audits, or citizenship education) ;
graduations or swearing-in ceremonies, use of national recruitment, use of
AmeriCorps Member Handbook.)
To foster and increase our national AmeriCorps identity we have done the
following:
Purchased uniform jackets which say White Mountain National Forest
AmeriCorps and include the AmeriCorps patch; issues AmeriCorps T-shirts
and Carhart work pants to all members.
Ordered AmeriCorps decals for hard hats and tools.
Put the AmeriCorps name on tool racks on AmeriCorps vans and have ordered
metal door logos.
Participated in two State-wide AmeriCorps events.
Created a White Mountain National Forest AmeriCorps handbook.
50
Operating Site ID #4047F230
Completed training in CPR, first aid, conflict resolution and leadership
development.
Had a member swearing-in ceremony that included the Forest Service, the
Student Conservation Association, the New Hampshire Conservation Corps,
New Hampshire AmeriCorps, and the Maine Army National Guard.
Worked with local and regional media (Bethel Citizen, Concord Monitor,
Boston Globe, Public Television, and local radio) to let communities know
what we are doing and who we are.
Changes in Program Organization or Key Staff Positions during this Quarter:
(Report staff turnover in management or supervisory positions, changes in
partner/sponsor relationships, changes in board memberships, etc.)
No changes.
51
Corporation for National Service
TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
(T/TA) OPERATING SITE REQUEST FORM
Operating site name : 4047F230
Corporation Grantee/State Commission name: USDA
Operating site ID number: 4047F230
I.
T/TA REQUEST
1.
Please briefly describe your need for T/TA. (What is the problem you are
addressing? When do you need T/TA delivered?)
It would have been nice--and will be good for new programs in the
future-- - to have training that addresses the differences between
already-existing youth corps programs and how they are run with
AmeriCorps, an adult service program.
2.
Indicate the category of T/TA that would best meet your need. Please
number your first three choices in order of priority.
Regional/National Training/workshop
Regional/National Tele-video Conference
On-site training. If so, for whom?
On-site consultation
Suggested consultant (s)
Number of days:
Start date:
One-on-one telephone consultation
Resource Materials (curricula, readings, bibliographies, other)
Peer exchange
Not sure what is most suitable
Other
52
FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT
(Short Form)
(Folow instructions on the asex)
T. Federal Agency and Organizational Element
2 Federal Grant or Other identifying Number Assigned
OMB Approved
Page
of
to which Report is Submitted
By Federal Agency
No.
0348-0039
R9-wm-95003
pages
white mountain National Forest
3 Recipient Organization (Name and complete address. including ZIP code)
Student Conservation assoc /New Hampshire Conservation Corps
POBox 550 Charlestown NH 03603
1. Employer identification Number
1 Recipient Account Number or identifying Number
6. Fng Recort
7. Basis
Yes
No
Cash
Accrual
91-08801.84
1 Funding/Grent Period (See instructions)
& Period Covered by this Report
Promo (Month, Day. Year)
To: (Month Day. Year)
From: (Month. Day. Year)
Ta: (Month, Day. Year)
1/15/95
11/15/95
1/15/95
6/30/95
10. Transactions:
и
III
Previously
This
Currissive
Reported
Period
4. Total a
123,946.
123,946.
a Recipient share of outlaya
c Federal share of outleys
123,946.
123,946.
d. Total untiquidated obligations
19,800.
a Recipient share of uniquidated obligations
1. Federal share of unliquidated obligations
19.800.
of Total Federal share (Som of fines c and f)
143,746.
A Total Federal funds authorized for this funding period
410,997.
i Unobligated balance of Federal funds (Line A minus line of
267251.
& Type of Rate (Place T in appropriate box)
Provisional
Predesemined
Final
Fixed
1.Jadrect
Expense
b. Rate
& Base
a Total Amount
& Faled Slave
2 Remants: Attach any explanations deamed necessary or information required by Federal sponsoring agency in compliance with governing
legislation.
3 Certification: I certify to the best of BY knowledge and belief that this report is correct and complete and that all outlays and
unliquidated obligations are for the purposes set forth in the award documents.
yood or Printed Name and Thise
Telephone (Area code. number and extension)
Scott C WEAVER Vice President
603-543-1700
Signature of Authorized Certifying Official
Date Report Submitted
SEHC wearn
4-4-95
TIMBUS Epicions not Usable
Bundard Part 269A REV 483)
Prescribed by OMB Circulars A-102 - A-130
Apr 04 95 13:54 No.005 P.02
TEL :603-447-8405
SACO RANGER DISTRICT
Vermont
1. Two members enrolled at time of launch.
2. Two members enrolled at end of quarter.
3. No members have been terminated.
4. 2064 hours of direct service have been performed.
5. 420 hours of training.
6. We have located, mapped, and evaluated various stream
bank soil bio-engineering techniques on 21 miles of the
Winooski River, and 74 upland sites, using field mapping
techniques, aerial photo interpretation, and the state
Geographic Information System (GIS). As part of our
comprehensive watershed evaluation of the 1930's Project
Vermont erosion control demonstration project, subsequent
sediment deposition has been measured, changes in the
morphology of the river have been investigated, and complete
vegetative succession, plant/soil relationships, and
wildlife habitat have been surveyed.
7. We have had the opportunity to present our project
findings to USDA employees, various Vermont state natural
resources agencies, and to educate concerned community
members about the importance and long-term environmental
benefits of erosion control in the Winooski River watershed.
We have contributed our knowledge of past erosion control
techniques to The Connecticut River Watershed Banks and
Buffers Project, and will help guide a public, family-
oriented field trip with the Addison County Forester on
Lewis Creek entitled "Sustainable Forestry in the Lewis
Creek Watershed, Making the Connection between Forests and
Creeks." Most recently, we presented our project to the
Winooski Conservation District, a municipal organization
comprised of local farmers.
8. We plan to complete our field research and final
watershed map, and assess the impact of long-term bank
stabilization on the morphology and "natural processes" of
the river. We will also interpret and compile our data in
preparation for the first draft of our final report. Our
findings will be published and made available to all
professionals and members of the community working in
watershed restoration and stream bank stabilization
projects.
9. While we did receive valuable training that was pertinent
to our project, it would have been much more useful if we
had received it closer to the beginning of our project. We
also feel that we could have done a better job if all
materials and information pertaining to our project were
made available to us in September.
10. See number 9.
11. Vermont Woodlands Magazine of Corinth, Vermont, has
expressed a strong interest in writing an article about us
and our project.
APR 20 '95 15:12 FROM USDA WILLISTON VT
Senator
James
Jeffords,
U.S.
Senator
NRCS Vermont State Conservationist John Titchner. NRCS Chief
Paul Johnson was very impressed with our Americorps project
after a brief presentation during his visit to Vermont on
April 10, 1995
This is a project that looks beyond the short term. The
information derived from the work being done will not
immediately apparent but will have long range impacts on the
way that stream bank rehabilitation and wildlife improvement
will be conducted in the future.
13. All costs incurred during our project have been paid for
with our Americorps budget, with the exception of NRCS
vehicle use and gas. The estimated cost of this project, if
conducted by permanent NRCS employees, was $115,000 for one
year. The cost of two Americorps members to do the same
work, including stipend, budget, minimal health benefits and
educational award, is approximately $42,000 total, thus
saving taxpayers an estimated $73,000, while providing a
valuable service to the local community.
200.3003
APR 20 '95 15:13 FROM USDA WILLISTON VT
JAMES M. JEFFORDS
COMMITTEES:
VERMONT
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
FOREIGN RELATIONS
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
United States Senate
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4503
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
October 31, 1994
Norman Smith
USDA Soil Conservation Service
12 Market Place, Unit 9
Essex Jct., VT 05452
Dear Norm:
Thank you very much for all of your help in making Eli Segal's
visit to Vermont a success. I thought it was a great event.
I was very impressed to learn about the efforts of the Soil
Conservation Service, as well as the great work being done by Jim
Ryan and Heather Short. Please relay to them my thanks for their
hard work on the river. They are both very impressive.
Again, thank you for your help. Please don't hesitate to let me
know if I can ever be of assistance to you. I would be happy to
help you in any way that I can.
Sincerely,
Jim James M. Jeffords
JMJ:lgk
PLEASE REPLY TO
1 WASHINGTON OFFICE:
MONTPELIER OFFICE
BUTLAND OFFICE:
BURLINGTON OFFICE
530 DIRESEN BURDING
P.O. Box 676
P.O. Box 387
35 5T. PAUL STREET
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4503
58 STATE STREET
2 SOUTH MAIN STREET
SUITE 100
(202) 2245141
MONTPELIER, VT 05601
RUTLAND VT 05702
BURLINGTON, VT 05401
(802) 223-5273
(802) 773-3875
(802) 658-5001
TOLL Fast: 1-800-835-5500
TDD/TTY: 1-800-835-5500
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
PAGE.004
APR 20 '95 15:13 FROM USDA WILLISTON VT
United States
Natural Resources
69 Union St.
Department of
Conservation
Winooski, VT
Agriculture
Service
05404
SUBJECT: Chief's Visit, April 10, 1995
DATE: 4/13/95
TO: Jim Ryan
FILE: 130
AmeriCorps Member
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Williston, VT
Thanks so much for making an extra effort to make Chief Paul
Johnson's visit such a success. He and Pat were impressed
with the quality of our employees and our Vermont AmeriCorps
programs.
Thanks again for "going the extra mile".
John John C. Titchner
State Conservationist
cc: Norm Smith
PAGE.005
APR 20 '95 15:14 FROM USDA WILLISTON VT
United States
Natural Resources
69 Union St.
Department of
Conservation
Winooski, VT
Agriculture
Service
05404
SUBJECT: Chief's Visit, April 10, 1995
DATE: 4/13/95
TO: Heather Short
FILE: 130
AmeriCorps Member
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Williston, VT
Thanks so much for making an extra effort to make Chief Paul
Johnson's visit such a success. He and Pat were impressed
with the quality of our employees and our Vermont AmeriCorps
programs.
Thanks again for "going the extra mile".
John John C. Titchner
State Conservationist
cc: Norm Smith
PAGE.006
APR 20 '95 15:14 FROM USDA WILLISTON VT
PATRICK J. LEAHY
VERMONT
UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20510
March 13, 1995
Dear Jim,
It was great meeting you at the Winooski River Project site.
AmeriCorps is a creative way to tackle our nation's problems
and I applaud your hard work in cleaning up Vermont's
precious rivers and wildlife habitat.
I have enclosed several photos I thought you might enjoy. I
send them with my best wishes.
Sincerely,
Tamly
Mr. Jim Ryan
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Winooski River Project
18 Blair Park Road, Suite 207
Williston, Vermont 05495-9406
PAGE.00P
in NOTSITION USDA FROM 15:14 56, 02 RPR
MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY SERVICE CORPS/HUNGER TASK FORCE OF
MILWAUKEE
USDA/ AMERICORPS ANTI-HUNGER PROJECT
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY SERVICE CORPS
THIRD QUARTER REPORT
APRIL 1st TO JUNE 31st 1995
1. On what date did AmeriCorps begin service or training?
First enrollment - September 12, 1994 second enrollment -- December 20, 1994. Last
enrollment -- February 20, 1995
In order to maximize the current grant MCSC made the decision to fill the open slots.
There were eight slots that were filled on June 24, 1995.
A)
29 full time Corps members
0 part-time Corps members
12 males / 17 females
B)
12, 897 total hours community hours performed.
2. Total number of non-AmeriCorps members volunteers who were involved in
AmeriCorps service activities:
The Milwaukee Community Service Corps and the hunger Task force Of
Milwaukee has been able to garner a tremendous amount of support for the
USDA/AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger project. While volunteers have availed themselves for
short term signature work we have had seven individuals who consistently have given
their valuable time and knowledge to the project.
Katherine Rogers and Sharon Kasner from UW-Extension
Amy Hess food nutritionist from UW- Extension
Lisa Stark, M.S., R.D. Department of Health and Social Services
Diane Moreau-Stodola, R.D., M.S., Department of Health and Social Services
Denis Lukaszewski, Shoots and Roots University of Extension
Sue Buckmann Roosevelt Middle School, Earth Day Celebration
3. The total hours of AmeriCorps service activities completed by non-AmeriCorps
Member volunteers:
1700 community volunteer hours were collected by non-AmeriCorps members
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THIS QUARTER
Infrastructure Construction
Goal
To develop a facility enhancement plan for a minimum of thirty emergency food pantries.
Of the 30 15 will have their physical facilities improved by the corpsmembers.
Of the 30, 15 assessment plans have been created to scope out the improvement that
needed to be made. To date 8 pantries have been rehab by our corpsmembers. MCSC
has established a quality of measurement through a survey that is filled out by the
sponsor. (see attached) A list of names and work description follows:
St. John's Church -- Shelves were built to provide much needed storage space for the
pantries' food. Cleaning was done in the pantry to provide a safe environment of the
clients and the staff.
St. James Church -- Wheel Chair ramp was constructed according to ADA
requirements. This ramp will provide access to clients with limited mobility Where as
before there was no ramp the pantry was not able to service these types of clients. The
pantry was given a fresh coat of paint in order to brighten up the area.
Frieden's Inner City Ministries -- This pantry was in desperate need of new shelving at
the time they were storing the food on tables which took too much space. The volunteers
constructed new shelving and reorganized the pantry. A fresh coat of paint was applied
to the pantry
Bayview Community Center -- This pantry needed the ceiling painted, water spots had
caused unsightly stains. The volunteers went in and painted they also reinforced the
shelving in the pantry by constructing braces that would make the shelving sturdier The
members also corrected a slope that prevented the pantry from building a wheelchair
ramp, then built the ramp helping the pantry reach ADA compliance.
Hunger Task Force -- The corpsmembers took a space that was not being utilized and
transformed it into a room that now can be used as additional sorting space. The
members alongside the electrician, brought down the ceiling They were also able to put in
the wall guards and then adding the finishing touches by giving the room a fresh coat of
paint.
St. James- Painted the entire pantry area.
Journey House-- Add a fresh coat of paint and worked with the pantry to design a better
storage plan and opened all the windows which had been painted shut which was causing
the pantry to have no ventilation.
Right Alternative-- Constructed new shelving for the pantries' food and cleaned the
floors.
Milwaukee Aides Project-- Constructed a wall to separate the pantry from the offices to
give the clients more privacy
Food Handling
Goal
To increase the capacity of the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee to collect, sort
inventory and distribute 1,000,000 pounds of donated and purchased food on a city-wide
basis to pantries in the Emergency Food Pantry Network. Corpsmember would also work
with individual pantries/meal programs by providing direct services on a short term basis.
Worked with hunger Task Force Of Milwaukee to provide transportation for 31 Super
Pantry clients for the second Super Pantry. The Super Pantry is a self-sufficient
empowerment program. The participants spend 5 hours two times a week preparing
themselves to be more self sufficient in daily household activities.
Under the direction of HTFM, the Corpsmembers to date have worked in 17 different
food pantries and meal sites, assisting with: food sorting, packaging of food, pantry
maintenance of the pantries, food pick-ups and deliveries, record keeping, client in-take
to create a client profile. Such data is particularly needed when aggregate figures are
used to establish a community needs. The MCSC Corpsmembers under the direction of
HTFM have continued their work at the hub of the network, First Call For Help, where 3
of the members are full-time operators.
There are 10 Corpsmembers who are permanently placed in meal sites/food pantries
or food distribution centers where they are providing direct service which includes:
helping a client to the car with a bag of food, calling to locate other emergency services,
helping a client fill out a form, answering emergency telephone calls, packing bags,
stocking the pantry, creating a menu and doing the pantry shopping.
Right Alternative (1), Bayview Community Center (2), First Call For
Help (2), Milwaukee Aids Project (1), Harambee (3) and Cross Lutheran (1)
It should be noted that these pantries represent a ethnically diverse community.
136 community service hours were performed by 17 members as they worked with
Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee staff and Ameritec Inc. volunteers, during Banc One's
Stop Hunger Day at Summerfest, on June 29, 1995.
43,000 pounds of donated food was collected. The donated food will be sorted and
distributed throughout the Hunger Task Force Network of 105 pantries.
170 community service hours were performed by 10 of the AmeriCorps Members
during the Postal drive sponsored by The United Letter Carriers Association.
395,680 pounds of food was collected and will be sorted and distributed throughout the
105 food pantries within the Hunger Task Force network.
Community Outreach and Access
The AmeriCorps volunteers distributed 7,000 pieces of informational flyers
concerning the availability of the Summer Youth Food program sponsored by the Social
Development Commission, the lead organizing nonprofit.
The members are working in five Summer Food sites-- Cross Lutheran, Harambee,
Lincoln Park Lutheran Church, St. Wenceslaus and St. Andrews. This work is crucial
during the summer due to the shutdown of Milwaukee Public School's lunch program.
This program will make the difference between a child eating one nutritious meal per day
or not eating a meal at all.
158 of the Social Development Commission's Head Start children were reached with
the Five-a-Day promotion of five fruits and vegetables.
231 school age children were reached during similar group presentations of 5-a-Day.
The Five a Day program is a program started by the National Cancer Society which has
been promoting that more fruits and vegetables in the a persons daily diet will reduce the
risk of cancer. the State Department of Health and Social Services has taken on the task
of creating an awareness of this vital information to parents and children through
educational activities.
Farmers/market/urban farming
GOAL
To provide affordable fresh produce in targeted neighborhoods where emergency food
programs are located by assisting in the marketing and promotion of the market in these
targeted neighborhoods. in addition, corpsmembers would organize and provide 12 on-
site market demonstrations of nutritious foods and the proper preparation and storage of
market produce.
60 farmers market customers took advantage of the free demo offered by the
AmeriCorps members demonstrations on proper preparation and storage of farmers
market produce.
6,600 informational flyers were distributed around the neighborhood areas where the
farmers markets are located to help provide necessary advertisement for the farmers
markets.
12 permanent signs were created and installed as seasonal advertisement for the
farmers markets.
five urban gardens and three youth gardens plots have been chosen and planting has
begun. The Urban Gardens are located in Milwaukee's inner-city on 28th and Brown and
36 and Wright, 36th and Meinecke, 25th and Brown, 25th and Vine and Mitchell field.
The three youth gardens are located on 8th and Burleigh, 60 and Silver Spring and at the
Silver Spring Neighborhood Community Center.
Theses gardens constitute 58, 000 square feet of land that has been developed by the
AmeriCorps volunteers.
The Corpsmembers have planted 1,000 tomato plants, 600 pepper plants and several
other types of vegetables such as squash, greens, onions, beets and green beans. When
harvested by the AmeriCorps members and other residents, the food will be donated to
the community. Some of this food will be donated to a few of the farmers markets in
order to be distributed to the markets customers during the season.
The gardens have already benefited the community by allowing the residents to grow
their own produce in the gardens at no charge to them. The residents have already taken
ownership of the gardens in order to maintain them during the rest of the summer months.
One of the AmeriCorps crews assisted the Gas Company and a local non-profit
Northcott Neighborhood House, in a one day construction of a community play ground
structure. This signature project was featured on "Positively Milwaukee," a local news
(channel 6) community segment. Tape available upon request.
UNIQUE SUCCESSES OR GREAT STORIES:
Eli Segal CEO of The Corporation for National and Community Service, visited the
MCSC headquarters in May. During his visit he met with the AmeriCorps members to
see the work they had been doing. During his visit he also met with our state governor
Mr. Tommy Thompson.
Joel Berg, Director of National Service Programs at USDA, came to visit during the
month of June. During his stay he spoke to many of the Anti-Hunger project
Corpsmembers and he was able to visit some of the project sites. During the Day
Mr. Berg met with HTFM staff, UW-Extension staff, local Congressional personnel and
MCSC staff and board of directors.
NATIONAL IDENTITY ACTIVITIES THIS QUARTER
WTMJ, channel 4 the NBC affiliate, ran a story on the work that the AmeriCorps
members did for the US Letter carriers food drive.
The members partnered up with Roosevelt middle school to celebrate Earth Day. The
members along with the students of Roosevelt' S 457 students were able to clean up a
radius of 3 miles around the school which is located in the downtown area of Milwaukee.
WTMJ, CHANNEL 4, also covered Banc One's Stop Hunger Day that took place at
the Summerfest.
Changes in program organization or key staff positions during this quarter.
One of our crew supervisors resigned. The position dedicated to the Urban Gardens and
Farmers Markets was filled by Jack Cantwell, who has experience in equipment-handling
and as a veteran marine, performed exemplary in leadership training.
12/15/94 14:42
608 264 5483
USDA SCS WI
IO
Date: 12/15/94
# Pages = 2 + this one.
Paula Jones
FAX 1x(202)690-0639 (202)
From: Bruce Roberts
Phone (608)264-5553
Soil Conservation Service
6515 Watts Road
Madison Wisconsin 53719
FAX # 608-264-5483
Notes: AmeriCarps First Quarter Report
is attached 18E
12/15/94 14:42
608 264 5483
USDA SCS WI
02
AMERICORPS/USDA QUARTERLY REPORT
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE - WISCONSIN
SEPTEMBER 12 - NOVEMBER 30, 1994
1. Number of employees enrolled at time of launch? 7
2. Number of employees cnrolled at end of quarter? 6
3. Total hours of direct service performed? 2046
4. Total hours in training? 867
5. Progress toward meeting community service objectives.
Objective A: Provide information on wetlands to landowners and
producers to assist in natural resource decisions and compliance with
federal programs.
Preliminary stops are being taken LO meet the community service
objectives. Americorp members arc bcing trained in order to meet with
the public to answer questions regarding wetlands. Members are
organizing files and maps that will be used when they encounter the
public. Contact will be one-on-onc as well as some group meetings as
appropriate. Most face-to-face contact will be during the next two
quarters.
Objective B: Digitize soil surveys and assist in using these to
improve natural resource decisions.
Most of the work done during the first quarter dealt primarily with
initial stages of the work which would allow community service
interaction beginning in the second quarter.
6. Primary accomplishments.
Objective A: Americorp members are becoming knowledgeablc about
wetlands and how wetlands are defined. Field trips have been taken to
look at wetlands in the field and to receive training from the
biologist on wetland functions and values as well ac identification.
Each member is studying the National Food Security Act. Manual to
become familiar with official definitions and regulations in order to
answer questions asked by the public and community leadcrs.
Objective B: During the first quarter much time was spent in
training/orientating the members in the work, as well 20 sctting up
the worksite and beginning the initial digitizing work on two soil
surveys. They have also started to work on application development
using the ARC INFO software. This preparation needed to bc donc prior
to interacting with the community which will begin in the second
quarter.
7. Projected outcomes for next quarter.
Objective A: In the next quarter members will start to interact with
the public and community leaders regarding wetlands. Individual
farmers will meet with Americorp members regarding types and locations
of wetlands on their property. Members will answer questions and
provide information to farmers. The interaction will be in the field
12/15/94 14:43
608 264 5483
USDA SCS WI
03
office location and will be with County and Federal agency personnel
as well as with farmers. This community service is extremely
important to farmers. The information provided to them by members
will have an effect on the farmer's USDA program eligibility.
Objective B: Attend meetings with community leaders and local experts
to demonstrate some applications of GIS soils data. Explore with
community leaders ways 1:0 make better use of soils data in community
development to protect wetlands and riparian areas and to guide
community growth away from flood prone areas in hopes of minimizing
damage from reoccurring flooding.
8.
Primary challenges.
Objective A: We have not encountered any major problems so tar.
Obtaining office space and cquipment has been accomplished with very
little obstacles. Getting the members trained in the time frame
allowed will be challenging but we are very optimistic considering the
excellent members we have on board. Members are working as d team and
NRCS state office employees are providing supervision. Providing
adequate time [UI supervision by permanent employees is a problem but
we are addressing it with some success by utilizing a temporary
employee to supervise daily work.
Objective B: Devcloping data sets to work with and getting community
meetings set up.
9. Primary training and technical assistance needs.
These are currently being met internally.
10. Media coverage.
Most of thio will begin during the second quarter.
11. Other creative documentation.
N/A
Paula
UNITED STATES
NATURAL RESOURCES
75 High Street Rm 301
DEPARTMENT OF
CONSERVATION
Morgantown, WV 26505
AGRICULTURE
SERVICE
December 29, 1994
Lloyd E. Wright, Director
Community Assistance and
Resource Development
14th & Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
LOHD
Dear Mr. Wright:
Attached is a copy of our first quarter FY 95 Report on the USDA/Rural Development Corps/Americorps
projects.
We are excited about the quality and diversity of people we have been able to attract to national service.
They have hit the ground running and we are pleased with their accomplishments to date. On average,
each member has completed 600 hours of service, including 100 hours of training.
Thank you for your support of this National Service Program and our projects. We hope to continue these
three projects and the five project sites in FY 96. We plan to apply for a few new Rural Development Corps
projects in FY 96 as well.
ReAlly pleased with AMOXICONF
in W.D
Rollin N. Swank
balle
State Conservationist
Attachment
The Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Formerly the Soil Conservation Service,
is an agency of the
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
United States Department of Agriculture
FISCAL YEAR 1995 - FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR THE
WEST VIRGINIA USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT CORP
AMERICORP PROJECTS
The West Virginia USDA/NRCS Rural Development Americorp
Project has made significant progress towards meeting our
community service objectives. We have three basic sub-
project types; they were a Rural Community Assistance
Project, Archaeologist Project, and a Soils and Wetland
Project. The Rural Community Assistance project had one
Americorp member working in Middlebourne, West Virginia.
The Archaeologist project had one Americorp member working
out of the Morgantown State Office serving the entire state.
The Soils and Wetland project had three individuals working
as members of Americorp, one in Huntington, West Virginia
doing wetland identification, delineation & Conservation,
and educational exercises; one individual working out of the
Kingwood Office in Preston County doing soils nutrient
content analysis, animal manure nutrient content analysis &
crop yields all centered around reducing nutrients in the
farming systems; and another individual working out of the
Moorefield Office also doing nutrient and pesticide
management activities for water quality purposes. In each
of the sites where Americorp members are working, serving
communities, they have been able to begin work on their
community service objectives and have already in many cases
met those objectives and have gone beyond those to other
community service activities related to their project. The
NRCS Americorp members have been communicating with the
other members of the USDA Rural Development Team with the
Forest Service as well as the Rural Development
Administration members and those Americorp members on
projects funded through the State Commission.
The Americorp service projects began September 11, in
Charleston with a major kick-off session held at the West
Virginia Culture and History Center, where all of the
Americorp members met and heard about each of their projects
as we kicked off the program. The Americorp members and
their sponsors and agency supervisors were treated to a
luncheon in the Rose Garden of Governor Gaston Caperton's
mansion on the grounds of the Capitol of West Virginia. We
adjourned to an after lunch program which included the
swearing in of all the Americorp members via satellite by
President Bill Clinton. We were addressed by Senator Jay
Rockefeller and each of the Agency heads sponsoring and
supporting the Americorp program through the direct USDA
program.
The linkages and communications that were formed between the
members and the individual projects has been a tremendous
help to all of the projects throughout the state. We have
been able to forge direct relations and communications with
the State Commission and its director Ms. Jean Ambrose. One
important linkage that has been developed is that the
Americorp members serving throughout the state are linked
regardless of the project that they are associated with.
Throughout the state the Americorp members get together and
work together on projects that go beyond their specific
project missions. A couple of projects of note that the
Americorp members have worked on outside of the individual
USDA Rural Development Corp Projects within the NRCS include
the gathering of the Americorp members in Fairmont, West
Virginia to develop a Christmas party and a celebration at
the Fairmont City Mission for Homeless and under privileged
people in the area around Fairmont, West Virginia. The USDA
Americorp folks in NRCS folks specifically joined up with
the Americorp staff in McDowell County and helped put on a
couple of days of the Toys for Tots Program and a Toys for
Tots Party as part of their community service activity to
that part of the state. We have been extremely pleased and
excited about the comradery that has formed between the NRCS
Americorp Rural Development Team. The five NRCS individuals
that we have, have been communicating directly on nearly a
daily basis with the full support of the agency, direct
supervisors and have gotten together not only professionally
but also socially on a frequent basis. You can see among
/.
them a real pride and excitement about what they are doing.
It is an excitement and pride that is unique to the program.
The USDA NRCS Americorp cadre began with five individuals.
We had one loss of an individual who left for permanent
employment in Tennessee. His name was Heath Soehn. We
quickly replaced him with Conley L. Marcum and returned our
cadre to a five individual team. The five individuals that
we have are extremely high quality people. Out of the
twenty some odd applications received and considered for the
Americorp membership we selected these five, two of which
are young women and three young men who are either recently
or within the last several years out of college or about to
complete college. We enrolled three individuals who have
masters degrees in their field, one individual who has a
bachelors degree and one individual who has completed most
of the requirements for his bachelors and is taking a year
or two off to National Service. Attached is our member
listing.
FIRST QUARTER FY 95 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA
NRCS AMERICORP PROJECTS
Archaeologist USDA Rural Development Corp Project
One of the major objectives of the Archaeologist Americorp
project was to provide cultural resource protection through
inventory, investigation, and the documentation of
significant archeological sites in economically depressed
areas of West Virginia. This was done in association with
some of the major projects ongoing in West Virginia which
include streambank protection, channel work, construction of
multi-purpose flood control dams as well as other activities
centered around projects. Bennett Horter is our
Archaeologist with the Americorp Program, he has a Masters
Degree from the University of Glasgow Scotland and has
worked in the industry with consulting archeological firms
throughout the state and has quite a good reputation for the
work that he has done. He comes to this national service
with good report with the State Historical Preservation
Office, has the capability to work with these people on a
first name basis and brings to the program a tremendous
expertise that we did not have prior to his joining the
Americorp Program.
Bennett has been able to do inventory work on about five
major sites in the state of West Virginia. He also did some
Phase I Archeological Investigations on an area that was
1.
about to be purchased for a plant materials center in the
southern part of the state. On that site he discovered
three historic and one prehistoric site that he will be
documenting for the purposes of preserving that historical
and cultural resource. Bennett Horter also has assisted the
Forest Service in doing some archeological and historical
work on the properties owned by the Forest Service to
protect those cultural resources. This was done very
quickly and directly between him and the Forest Service on a
request basis. He has done some archeological work in the
areas of Kings Creek in the Northern Panhandle. He
conducted a reconnaissance survey to insure that any work
that was being done in the area would not damage any
cultural historical sites. He also has met with the State
Historical person Pat Trader to insure that any of the work
that we would be doing on the land would not interfere in
major significant archeological or historical sites.
Another project that he is involved in proposes the
preservation of important historical sites in Hampshire
County, West Virginia. Near Romney there is an area of
trenches where there was a civil war embattlement or fort
and artillery site which overlooked the Potomac River. A
local historical group has asked for Americorp assistance
through this Archaeologist project to help document and find
project funding to develop the site for public access and
public use as a major historical site.
Bennett Horter has also teamed up with our Soils Wetland
Project person in Huntington to develop a important
historical site associated with Point Pleasant, West
Virginia along the Ohio River. Point Pleasant was the site
of a historical stockade fort called Fort Randolph. During
the bicentennial celebration of the town, Fort Randolph was
reconstructed on a slightly different site as part of their
bicentennial celebration. Bennett Horter and Wetland
Ecologist Lee Mullins will be working together with the RC&D
Council and the Fort Randolph Foundation to develop the Fort
Randolph site for public use. Improvements which will be
made will be the construction of a nature trail around the
entire fort area. The trail will course through forestry
plantings of significant forest species that the pioneers
moving west would have depended upon. It will also course
through a wetland site which will be protected and renovated
and boardwalks will be constructed so that a interpretive
placards can be installed as part of an educational effort
on the importance of wetlands not only to the pioneers but
to us today. The nature trail will also course by some
displays of historical importance. It is planned that the
displays will be developed on Native American life of the
era associated with this fort. Bennett Horter will head up
that effort. We are trying to pull together a rallying
point among the Americorp members to install this trail and
to install the improvements in the months of April and May.
1.
Another item of note which may be of interest is that we
believe Bennett Horter and his wife had the first Americorp
baby of record.
Rural Community Assistance Project located in Middlebourne,
West Virginia.
This project began in September with Americorp member Heath
Soehn starting off meeting with all the major towns and
county government leaders in the tri-county area around
Middlebourne, West Virginia. The activities that he began
included those projects associated with enhancing the rural
community and the quality of life in their region. Member
Heath Soehn immediately became involved in assisting in
programs that charted the course for the development of a
plan of operations for the year.
He offered his help associated with on going conservation
work in the office and in the tri-county area to kind of get
a feel for how things were going on. Early in his project
he worked with an individual producer to develop a pond
system for the production of striped bass on a commercial
basis as part of increasing aquaculture activity in the
area. He also set the stage, through some meetings, to form
an organization of warm water fish producers in the area.
His training in fisheries management was a major asset in
the development of these producer organizations.
Heath became involved in his Americorp program immediately
by meeting with all of the five local high schools in the
area. Speaking about Americorp and National Service and
about Americorp and the opportunities that could be provided
to students as they work towards their education. Heath
organized the dry hydrant program in the area and began
working with fire departments and local communities to get
access to water for rural fire protection and set a schedule
for those installations.
With the loss of Heath to full time employment in Tennessee
as a Fish Hachery Manager we were lucky in being able to
enroll Conley Marcum out of Springfield, Ohio to replace
Heath. Conley comes with a Masters Degree in Biology and
significant experience in the field and in research in the
areas of aquatic biology. Conley has been on the job for
some time now and has dove directly into the project
elements already started by Heath. No doubt he will find
other project activities associated with helping the local
communities that will fit his personal skills and the
committees needs.
SOILS AND WETLAND PROJECT
We have three members working in three separate locations on
this project. The first members associated with the soils
and water quality project are Jill Hauser, located in
Preston County out of Kingwood, Jermey Crossland, located in
Moorefield, Hardy County. Both of these project sites are
working with local agricultural producers and communities to
improve and protect water quality, both surface and ground
water, in their areas. They are providing direct assistance
to producers with nutrient and pesticide management. They
are evaluating the nutrient content of animal manures and
poultry litters and the analyzing the nutrient content, in
residual form, in the soils and matching that to crop plant
needs so that application of chemical and organic
fertilizers are kept to a minimum. Jill Hauser and Jermey
Crossland have completed a approximately thousand acres of
nutrient management assistance in their respective project
areas. Jill Hauser has assisted with the planning and
implementation of a major grassland meeting for producers to
try to maximize their profits and minimize their inputs into
their pasture and grazing land systems. Jermey Crossland
has done significant work with poultry producers in the
Potomac Watershed leading to the Chesapeake Bay. The third
project site associated with the West Virginia Soils and
Wetland Project is located in Huntington, West Virginia.
Lee Ann Mullins, Wetland Ecologist is the Americorp member,
is working through NRCS in Huntington on the Soils and
Wetland Project. Her expertise is in the area of Wetland
Ecology and she has done work in the county and around the
state in the area of Wetland Habitat protection and
development. Lee Ann had an opportunity along with some
regular NRCS staff to attend a Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Training and Certification Session in
Philadelphia, PA, during the week of September 26. She is a
certified wetland delineator and is able to help us not only
do wetland delineation but develop projects that she has
become involved that involve wetland conservation. Lee Ann
assisted the WV Department of Natural Resources to do gilnet
surveys at the Beach Fork Lake and East Lynn Lake in West
Virginia. She also was asked to speak at the Greenbottom
Wildlife Management Area Symposium. She served as a
coordinator for the erosion control contests for the
Counties of Cabell and Wayne during November. She has been
providing leadership for the interpretive trail and wetland
interpretive area associated with the Fort Randolph project
along with Bennett Horter. Lee Ann spoke to numbers of high
school students in the multi-county area on the Americorp
program and also on the importance of Wetlands to our and
ecological regions and Lee Ann has also served as a major
leader among the USDA Rural Development Corp members in West
Virginia. She began a newsletter or a communications
channel between the Forest Service and Rural Development
Administration folks on behalf of all the Americorp Project
members.
In summary, these are just some highlights of the things
that are going on in each of our five project locations.
These folks are extremely motivated and extremely high on
what they are doing and enjoy their work and have the full
and complete support of their direct supervisors. We are
real pleased with the quality of members and the
opportunities that have been provided by the Americorp
Program to broaden our ability to meet the needs of these
local communities.
We are experiencing some challenges and problems at our
sites. They relate to the fact that there are more
activities than our individual Americorp members can get
around. So we have to work real carefully with them through
their NRCS supervisors to focus their efforts and to stick
to their mission and to their project ideas fairly closely.
We believe we can work closely with them and keep their
focus on their project objectives. Of note but not a major
problem for the purposes of insight to our headquarters
management is that one of the things that we are
encountering is where we have thrust these Americorp folks
into field offices and other USDA offices and given them
license to go and do these creative, different things which
do not quite fit the mold of normal work associated with
conservation operations. We have provided them with unique
/
and different and challenging training and what appears to
be fairly liberal free thinking program activities to work
on and in some regard and some locations we have experienced
some minor objection from the rank and file employees of
USDA. We have attempted to deal with that by making sure it
is understood that these people are working in different
areas that we do not normally address which are more
appropriate to a national service program. With time the
rank and file employees will be more comfortable with the
Americorp Project and the members and that their challenge
and charge is different and they are going to be handled a
Nittle bit differently than the employee of NRCS.
We would like to highlight some of the individual and joint
training that we have been able to provide the Americorp
members. We are pleased that we were able to have the
kickoff in Charleston jointly with the State Commission,
Americorp as well as the Forest Service and RDA members.
It was an extremely uplifting, motivating, energizing
session with the governor and Senator Rockefeller, and the
other folks that were speaking and challenging us to go
forward and do good work. The Americorp members were
particularly fired up about being sworn in by the President
directly, even on a day when he had been dodging airplanes.
The USDA Americorp folks adjourned from that kickoff day
directly to the State 4H Camp at Jacksons Mill for a four
day session on team building. We dove directly into a joint
Forest Service, NRCS training session to orient the new
Americorp members to what our individual agencies and the
Department requirements are with issues such as time and
reporting, travel reimbursements, rules and regulations
centered around the Americorp Program and how it operates.
We also endeavored to instill some espri dicorps and team
building with a lot of volleyball and sports and activities
at the Jacksons Mill 4H Center. We feel that this first
week really forged some linkage between the individual
members, the agency support personnel and the project
directors. Subsequent to that in the middle of October, we
had an opportunity to jointly conduct a week long session
entitled "Helping Small Towns Survive", this was a community
development/community organization meeting that was
conducted by a consultant from the Heartland Institute.
Each and everyone of the Americorp members came back
thrilled and excited about what they learned about how to
help communities go through the public process and the
community process to develop projects and bring them to
completion. We did this training jointly with the RDA & FS
folks and we also invited county and community leaders, RC&D
council chairs & RC&D coordinators. We had around fifty
individuals attending, which also included the empowerment
zone, economic community folks in West Virginia in
attendance. Also in December we brought all of the USDA
Americorp people together for a couple of days for some
training in Flatwoods, West Virginia this included the
&
Forest Service, RDA, and NRCS people. We used this as a
platform for planning some future activities which included
a lot of the service activities centered around the
Christmas and Holiday season and New Year period. The
Americorp members jointly planned several activities and
scheduled those activities together to do special things for
the homeless and underprivileged during the holiday season.
On the subject of equipment needs we have yet to receive any
Americorp logo hats, shirts, sweatshirts, or pens for use
with our Americorp members on the job. They have been
operating essentially with the Americorp buttons that we
received during our kickoff session in Charleston with the
Governor and the State Commission. We would like to request
that someone follow up with whoever was providing those
items so that we can get them to our members, and can use
them in our media events. All the USDA Rural Development
Corps Members have access to computers with modems and
anxiously await being able to implement internet
communications. The Forest Service folks have laptops with
modems & the NRCS folks are operating out of offices that
have computers operating in Unix environment and the DOS
environment and have modems. Attached as part of this
report is one news article on the Fort Randolph joint
project centered around the nature trail and wetland site
and the historical preservation displays. We also are
attaching at least one photograph of the Americorp members
and project director, Patrick D. Bowen.
This report is respectfully submitted by PATRICK D. BOWEN,
Project Director, Americorp NRCS Rural Development Team.
AmeriCorps*USA
Operating Site Quarterly Report
National Direct, Federal, Tribal, and Territorial Programs
1. Operating site: USDA Forest Service. Morgantown, WV
2. Operating Site ID # : WV=4047E25D,
MN=4047E290
3. Corporation Grantee Name: USDA Forest Service
First Quarter
Second Quarter
X Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
-
-
-
(10/1-12/31)
(1/1-3/31)
(4/1-6/30)
(7/1-9/30)
5. Name of person completing this report: Lew R. McCreery/Al Steele
6. Position of person completing this report: Program Manager/Rural Dev. Spec
7. Telephone number: (304) 285-1536
8. Fax number: (304) 285-1655
9.e-mail address (if available) :
10. Members and Service Hours
FULL TIME
PART TIME
No. of Members allotted to your sites
MN=10, WV=6
WV=1
No. of Members enrolled on last day
MN=8, WV=5
WV=1
of 3rd Qtr.
No. of Members who served entire
MN=8, WV=5
WV=1
3rd Qtr.
No. of Members who left sites during
WV=1
the 3rd Qtr.
No. of Members who joined sites during
3rd Qtr.
Total Members service hours during
MN=450
the 3rd Qtr.
WV=200
Total Members service hours to date
MN=1050
WV=675
11. Please provide estimates of the following:
(a) Total number of non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers who were involved
in AmeriCorps service activities this quarter: 25 WV, 15 MN
(b) Total hours of AmeriCorps service activities completed by
non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers this quarter: WV=900, MN=400
12. Summary of Progress this Quarter Toward Accomplishing Annual Objectives:
(a) Direct Service Objectives:
Minnesota
- Developed and conducted logger education workshop, April 13, Park
Rapids, MN. 50 attendees focused on educating loggers in how to harvest in
a more environmentally sensitive manner (Best Management Practices)
- Completed an analysis of how a cooperative of small wood products
producers (including crafters) can coordinate marketing efforts to
achieve diversified markets and expand marketing opportunities. 48
organizations served. Results presented to Directors of cooperative.
- Community Development Inventory. Despite the strong dependence on
forestry and tourism in Minnesota, few communities have planned for the
sustainable development of their natural resources. To date, 126
communities have been contacted to determine what level of planning, if
any, has been done concerning the sustainable development of their
natural resources. Determining what has been done thus far, as well as
the level of interest, will form the basis of future cooperative planning
and development efforts. Partners in this effort will include state
government, Indian tribes, county governments, and large foundations.
-
Facilitated Initial Rural Development Council Meeting. 5 AmeriCorps
Members were asked by the MN state forester to act as facilitators for the
initial planning meeting of the MN Rural Development Council. Reports
back were that everyone was very impressed with the level of knowledge and
professionalism exhibited by our AmeriCorps Members. Provided an excellent
opportunity for those involved with rural development issues to see the
capabilities of our Members. Additionally, the meeting provided an
excellent forum for Members to develop an enhanced understanding of the
many and complex issues facing rural America.
- Developed a major presentation to foundation Board of Directors
explaining results of surveys of manufacturers, banks, communities, and
technical assistance providers. Surveys focused on determining what the
barriers are to achieving sustainable development "on the ground". Result
was that Board of Directors made a committment to focus major efforts on
funding rural development projects which will promote sustainability
(potentially millions of dollars over the next few years)
- Alternative Fuels, short rotation woody crops. Developed, conducted, and
analyzed survey to determine activity and level of interest in short
rotation woody crops which can be used for bio-energy. Surveys were sent
to 60 key organizations throughout Minnesota.
- Woody Riparian Buffers efforts. A major effort is underway to encourage
farmers and others to leave woody buffer strips along streams and other
waterways in order to protect them from siltation and other forms of
environmental degredation. Wood in these buffers can be harvested
selectively or the sites can grow special forest products (ginseng, etc)
Conducted 20 site evaluations to determine the suitability of using
developing them into buffer sites using Forest Stewardship dollars.
- Developed a cooperative agreement with the University of Minnesota to
develop digitized data on soils. This data will be used to identify
riparian buffers as well as potential sites for short rotation woody crops
(most planted on lands that are coming out of the CRP program)
-
Hybrid Poplar Video. Asa short rotation woody crops, hybrid poplar can
achieve phenomenal growth rates even in Minnesotas' climate. In order to
stimulate interest in planting it, an informational video was prepared and
distributed to individuals and organizations throughout Minnesota.
- Assisted local environmental education organization develop Earth Week
program and publicize it throughout North Central Minnesota.
- Rails to trails. Assisted with planning and coordination of several
meetings between large landowners (mining companies), communities, and
local economic development groups on a project to develop a trail system
connecting the cities of Virginia and Eveleth.
- Completed a comprehensive analysis of the land use, environmental,
health and safety regulations affecting Minnesota's forest products
industry (from forest thru production). Discussions are beginning
with state agencies, industry associations, and private non-profits
on potential collaborative efforts focused on reducing waste and
energy consumption, encouraging recycling, mitigating environmental
impacts, and reducing sources of pollution.
- Completed planning and administrative duties (flyers, public
notification) for a seminar organized by Member placed at regional
environmental learning center. Seminar will bring together a diversity of
interests to discuss what can be done to address "growth problems"
associated with urban sprawl and heavy tourism activity in rural areas
nearby to the Twin Cities. August seminar with 100 attendees expected.
- Developed and conducted programming for a variety of groups (senior
citizen bus tours, etc) interested in environmental conservation.
Activities are designed to increase public awareness, use, and
financial support of the River Bend Nature Center. Approximately
600 people have been served.
West Virginia
-
Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. In cooperation with US Bureau of Land
Management, US Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, regional economic
development groups, WV Office of Tourism, community groups and others
have been active in the planning of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.
The proposed 600 mile trail system stretching across 7 counties includes
Mingo and Logan counties, the home of the infamous Hatfields' and
McCoys. AmeriCorps Member has been active in the identification of trail
heads as well as conducting inventories of service providers such as
gas stations, motels, and restaurants. This will help determine what
towns are suitable for trail users and where trail heads should be
placed. The trail concept calls for the trail to cross corporate
lands such as coal and timber companies. Trails will be managed so they
will not conflict with the primary use of the landowner. The trail will
be designed for both motorized and non-motorized users.
- Conducted 12 business retention interviews in Barbour county. This
interviews are intended to uncover problems faced by businesses in order
to assist them in finding technical and financial resources. Business
retention activities are premised on the idea that it is more desirable
to keep existing business in the local area rather than expending
resources on attracting new businesses.
- Assisted in planning and implementation of Phillipi Convention and
Business Bureaus' Spring Craft Festival. This activity provides
mountain crafters an opportunity to show their wares as well as
continue long held artisan traditions. Approximately 2500 people
attended the festival.
Resort Planning. Working with local community and economic
development groups, planning is well underway in McDowell County
for a publicly held recreation and resort area which is expected
to bring much needed tourism dollars to impoverished southern West
Virginia.
- Member assisted state Division of Forestry to develop a field survey
methodology to determine the amount of logging residues (waste) This
information will be used to determine whether future development of
the forest products industry in WV should be discouraged. Originally
developed for a 5 county area in central WV, the idea was so well
received that it is being done throughout WV as well as the adjacent
states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, adn New York. Member played a key role
in training of field crews for other areas.
(b) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives: Briefly restate your
objectives and describe progress toward them this quarter.
Training: Minnesota
Lanesboro, MN. USDA Forest Service Rural Development Team Members joined
50 other AmeriCorps Members from throughout southern Minnesota (those from
non USDA groups) for a weekend of training on topics relating to group
dynamics, media, conflict resolution.
Central Minnesota Housing Conference. 1 Member attended a day conference
on housing and problems relating to construction using local resources.
Tourism Trends Conference. 1 Member attended a national tourism trends
conference in St. Paul. Member summarized information and shared it with
other Members as well as cooperators.
Forest Ecosystem Management Conference, Sault St. Marie, Michigan. 5
Members presented a display on AmeriCorps efforts to promote sustainable,
natural resource based economic development in Minnesota. Members took
part in 40 hour training session on developing landscape level planning for
sustainability as well as discussions on how to involve communities in
sustainable development efforts.
Minnesota Rural Development Council. Facilitated and participated in
initial meeting of Rural Development Council. 5 Members
Senior Citizens. How to work with elderly volunteers. 1 Member
Logger education workshop. 1 Member 1 Day.
Bandsaw Mill Clinic. Learned about technologies to reduce waste. 1 Member,
1 day.
Nemadji River Basin Conference. Learned about efforts to protect watersheds
from excessive runoff and resulting soil erosion. 1 Member, 1 Day
Woody Riparian Buffer Site Selections. Member accompanied experts for 2
days to develop increased understanding of criterion for selecting sites
for woody riparian buffers.
Training: West Virginia
ISTEA. Enhancing tourism using ISTEA funds. 1 Member, 2 Days.
Geographic Information Systems and GPS Technology. 1 Member, 1 Day.
League of Minnesota Cities Annual Convention. 1 Member, 1 Day. Learned
about economic development problems facing MN cities.
(c) Community Building/Strengthening Objectives:
Service: Minnesota
Youth Service Day, St. Paul. Joined all AmeriCorps Members in MN on Youth
Service Day. Cleaned Phalen Park. All MN Members.
Virginia Community Development Group. 1 Member assisted planting flowers
and other community beautification activities.
Hybrid Poplar Planting. 4 Members worked 1 day assisting RC&D plant hybrid
poplar plantation to be used as a demonstration for those considering
planting them on their farms.
Urban/Rural Outdoor Learning Experience, Audubon Center, Sandstone, MN.
Brought together 10 inner city youths (Minneapolis) and ten rural youths
for a 2 day outdoor educational experience. Activities included education
on water ecology, raptors. Group challenge activities/team building
exercises were conducted. Great success! More important than the
environmental education was the trust and understanding that developed
between youths from radically different cultures. Ultimate measure of
success was that when departing youths were exchanging names and phone
numbers. 4 Members worked 2 days.
Minnesota Rural Development Council. Members presented display on
AmeriCorps Rural Development opportunities in MN as well as facilitating
initial organizational meeting of council. 4 Members, 3 days.
Regional Arbor Day Events. Taught 4th graders on how trees conserve
energy. 1 Member, 1 Day.
Park Point Beach Erosion Control Project. 4 Members worked 2 days planting
trees along highly erodible beach on Lake Superior.
13. Other Accomplishments this Quarter: None to report.
14. Unique successes or great stories:
In West Virginia, we focused on one large service project this quarter.
A middle school in Braxton County, West Virginia had been trying to develop
a "nature trail" nearby the school in order to facilitate environmental
education instruction. Although many groups were interested in helping
out, it just never seemed to happen. Michelle Lassige, one of our
Members placed with the WV Division of Forestry in nearby Gassaway heard
about the project and approached the school. It appeared to be a big job.
The project included clearing and constructing interpretive nature trails,
building a large wooden foot bridge over a river, hanging bird and bat
boxes, and identifying and labeling plants/trees along the way.
Through Michelle's outstanding leadership, many cooperators were brought
on board. Cooperators included the Elk Soil Conservation District, Braxton
County Board of Education, Mon Power Company, WV Division of Natural
Resources, WV Bureau of Commerce, WV Division of Forestry, West Virginia
Commission for National and Community Service, Mountain RC&D, UDSA NRCS,
Consolidated Farm Service Agency, local businesses and the Braxton County
Middle School Conservation Club.
During a recent visit to WV in June, Chief of the Forest Service Jack
Ward Thomas, S&PF leader Joan Comanor, and several state foresters viewed
this cooperative effort and commented very favorably.
Future plans are to link this trail with two nearby trails in order to
create a very large natural learning center. Plans are being made to
bring teachers from throughout WV to this site in order to train them in
teaching methodologies relating to environmental education.
15. Primary Challenges Encountered this Quarter: None to Report
16. National Identity Activities this Quarter: None to Report
17. Significant Program Changes this Quarter: None to Report.
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