July 2017

Park Provides Outdoor Classroom for Stewardship

Every summer, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) welcomes a crew of teenagers into the park for a summer youth program that will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in a few years – the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).

An employment (minimum wage) and development program based on service-learning principles, YCC engages young people in meaningful work experience on federally managed lands.

For the CRNRA, the work of these young people is essential. They help maintain trails using hand tools, repair bridges, prune vegetation and pick up trash. The students also experience education days which expose them to a variety of conservation topics and experts.

Most of the ten members of this year’s crew hope to enter a field related to natural resources or land management. Do they like the job? Yes! Janae, Rose, Khalik, Nico, Duabo, Liam and Sam (pictured above with Ranger Cedric Talley, far left) explain: “It’s outside and physical. Every day is different. It doesn’t seem like a job. Cedric keeps it fun! We’re introduced to activities we might not have done before, like hiking. We meet new people.”

Every April, the CRNRA advertises the eight-week YCC program online (available for teens aged 15-18) and randomly selects a summer crew. Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy is pleased to support these young people and their work, thanks to YOUR contributions!

Julie Burroughs loves pulling trash (including plastic herons) out of her river, especially if she has a group of kids along to introduce them to the joys of messing about in boats. Post-cleanup, her favorite comment from a young participant: “I’m never going to litter again!”

In the late sixties, their father would drop Julie, her sisters and a Grumman canoe at Morgan Falls, and pick them up later at Johnson Ferry. Now retired, the veteran teacher of gifted students has volunteered nearly 7,000 hours in the CRNRA since 1998, when she took an outdoor education class with Ranger Jerry Hightower.

Honored as a Cox Conserves Hero in 2016 for her volunteer work (see video), Julie generously directed her award to CPC to support the Every Kid in the Park program.

THINGS TO DO...

2^nd Annual Paddle-Camp Extravaganza– Sept 23-24

ONLY 50 PEOPLE will camp under the stars in the CRNRA this year – and it could be you! Join CPC and REI-Atlanta for a fun weekend: learn new skills (camping, paddling, photography, biking, yoga and more) and help the park with a river cleanup. Learn more and REGISTER here!

Fall Member Celebration! Sunday, Oct 29, Paces Mill

Mark your calendars for CPC’s annual celebration of YOU! Without our members and volunteers, we would not be able to provide the people and dollars that are vitally needed to help our beloved urban park.

Not a current member? JOIN CPC TODAY and you will be invited to enjoy a BBQ meal, beverages, comradery, park updates and more.

Become a member of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy today!
As a member, you can help us achieve our vision of an inspired and thriving community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Click here to join!

Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy Inc. is proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service.

Visit our website at www.chattahoocheeparks.org.

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