Old building, new green technology
The Western Colorado Conservation Corps moved to a new location in August and is settling in nicely. The new building (which was an existing structure) offers more space for the Corps to grow in the coming years. The old office was cramped and insufficient for program sustainability. Besides the luxury of proper storage and office space, the new location will be fitted with energy-saving technologies.
WCCC is working with High Noon Solar (a local Grand Junction company) and Xcel Energy to install a 10 kilowatt grid-tied photovoltaic system. This system will produce approximately 15,500 KWh per year and saves around 33,350 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. The organization is also planning a solar hot water system and already enjoys passive solar windows. All of the building’s lighting fixtures will be changed to more efficient fluorescent ballasts. By purchasing an existing structure, WCCC has avoided the unnecessary waste associated with building new. The organization is also hoping that this retrofitting will help bridge the gap between their energy program and the green collar jobs that are becoming increasingly available.
The Energy Program at the WCCC grows stronger and more effective every year. Corpsmembers are now able to receive their Energy Audit Certification and will be able to use it to get a foot into the green career door.
It is important to the Western Colorado Conservation Corps that they apply conservation methods and ideologies in the office as well as in the field. With their new location they have the flexibility and means to do so.
Building trails and honoring the past
The Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) held a commemorative celebration on October 9th in honor of their newest trail rehabilitation project and the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). A crew spent the week working on Otto’s Trail in the Colorado National Monument doing much needed repair to make the trail more recreation-friendly and sustainable. The crew was guided by the Monument’s trail expert Jim Palmer. The project concluded with a reception at the Devil’s Kitchen picnic area.
After everyone was fed and had a chance to chat, Eric Sandstrom, Instructor of Mass Communications at Mesa State and part-time ranger for the Monument, gave an informative speech about the history of the CCC, from which the WCCC gets its roots. The CCC was started in 1933 as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal to combat unemployment. Today there are 111 conservation corps working in 42 states in the spirit of the original CCC.
The event offered a great opportunity for WCCC Corpsmembers to learn about the history and the roots of the organization. It also gave them a chance to talk with community members, elected officials, and the media about their involvement in the program.
The WCCC wants to thank all that attended the event, including State Representative Bernie Buescher, Grand Junction City Council Member Teresa Coons, Jerry Otero and Trudy Kareus from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar’s office, Richard Baca and Gail Gnirk from U.S. Representative John Salazar’s office, and Partners Board Member Will Hays. WCCC would also like to thank City Market for providing food for the event, Eric Sandstrom, Jim Palmer, and Michelle Wheatley of the Colorado National Monument, and last, but certainly not least, the Corpsmembers for all of their hard work.
AmeriCorps conference in Estes Park
WCCC sent three members to an AmeriCorps conference October 6th and 7th held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The conference was organized by the Governor’s Commission on Community Service and provided all AmeriCorps members serving in Colorado the chance to network with each other and attend various workshops. Members had a wide variety of learning opportunities including workshops focused on engaging youth, grant writing, getting out of debt, leadership, and many more.
Corpsmembers Brett Burdette and Gail Bower, and AmeriCorps VISTA Kris Adams attended the event. Brett and Gail are both enrolled in the AmeriCorps Education Award program which offers Corpsmembers the opportunity to earn money for higher education on top of their regular wage. “The best part about the conference was being able to connect with others in similar programs throughout Colorado,” Kris said of the two-day conference. She also attended a bonus day and a half with other VISTAs as part of the Colorado Youth Corps’ Good Works for Youth program, which has placed 20 AmeriCorps VISTAs in various youth-oriented organizations throughout Colorado.
WCCC offers new certification program
The WCCC now offers Energy Auditor certification for its Corpsmembers. The program is through the Governor’s Energy Office and Housing Resources of Western Colorado. WCCC has already had five Corpsmembers complete the online tests. The certification will enable Corpsmembers to obtain jobs working in the energy audit sector either for other non-profits or for larger corporations. WCCC’s goal is to provide ample opportunity for its Corpsmembers to move into the expanding “green collar” job market.
Winter doesn’t stop the WCCC
Winter brings a slightly limited project base than the warmer months for the WCCC, but they won’t let that slow them down. WCCC is working with The Tamarisk Coalition and other agencies to restore Watson Island during these colder times. They also have a crew working in conjunction with the United States Forest Service and the City of Grand Junction on fire fuels reduction in Kannah Creek.
Western Colorado Conservation Corps turns out nine new sawyers
Western Colorado Conservation Corps sent nine new Corpsmembers to S212 Wildland Power Chain Saw training at the end of August. The training included two days of classroom work and two days of field work. We had the honor of being taught by a Class C sawyer (the highest classification) from the US Forest Service. Corpsmembers are able to utilize this training in a collaboration project between the WCCC, the City of Grand Junction, and the Grand Valley Ranger District of the USFS to do fire fuels reduction in the Kannah Creek Watershed this fall.
The classroom education involved extensive study of safety procedures and gear, types of cuts, saw maintenance, and situational evaluation to prepare us for what may happen in the field. Everyone was eager to get outside for the experiential lesson, including the instructors. Day one of the field class was spent cutting down pinyon junipers that need to be removed as a fire preventative. These smaller trees gave us a chance to get comfortable using the saws. Each instructor worked with groups of twos and threes so that each person received ample time cutting and had plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
The first time holding and using a running chain saw was an experience mixed with nervousness and excitement. It was also a very tiring experience. Everyone had soar arms after that first day, but we were anxious to try our new skills on larger trees. On day two we headed up to the Mesa and practiced on 50-60 foot aspens. There is something almost surreal about dropping a tree that size that is nearly inexplicable. For me it was a powerful and humbling experience.
The aspen that we cut were dead or dying and needed to be removed in order to save the lot. Aspens are connected through their root systems so that when one tree gets ill, it spreads to the others.
The WCCC is proud of the nine Corpsmembers who completed their S212 certification. Opportunities like this not only help us on our own projects, but open a lot of doors for future career options.
WCCC moves into new space to grow
The Western Colorado Conservation Corps and Partners have started fundraising for the WCCC’s new office located at 2818 ½ North Ave. The new building will raise the WCCC’s capacity to better serve the community and our youth. The new space will allow the Corps to develop new programs while expanding existing programs. Our Corpsmembers work tremendously hard to ensure the sustainability of western Colorado and we are excited for the ability to enhance their experience.
All donations of $100 or more will receive an engraved tile for display at the office in honor of the donor’s generosity. For information on donating please contact:
Rusty Lloyd
Director
Western Colorado Conservation corps
Phone: (970) 241-1027
Joe Higgins
Director
Mesa County Partners
Phone: (970) 245-5555
On July 31st the Western Colorado Conservation Corps gathered in celebration of a successful summer season. While some members will continue their work with the Corps, others have left us for the school year. The afternoon started with a bar-b-que and PowerPoint presentation of the crews and their projects. Once the feast subsided, WCCC director Rusty Lloyd gave a short speech thanking the crews and staff for their hard work this season. Each crew was brought up to be recognized in front of the group and receive their certificates of completion. Crew Leaders gave a brief thank you to their crews, acknowledging each member for their contribution.
Joe Higgins, Director of Partners, gave a touching speech about the Corps and all the great work it’s done for our community and for our valuable land. He made a special point to thank the crew members and leaders, pointing out that they are the priceless resource that makes the Corps successful, commenting too on how proud he is of their dedication and hard work.
The Western Colorado Conservation Corps would like to thank all who attended the graduation, including parents, Partners staff, project sponsors, Partners board members, community supporters, volunteers with environmental education. A special thank you to government representatives who attended:
- City Councilman Doug Thomason
- Colorado Representative Steve King
- Mesa County Commissioner Steve Aquafresca
- George Delahante from US Representative John Salazar’s office
- Jerry Otero from US Senator Ken Salazar’s office
- and all local, state, and federal supporters