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Ten Youth Corps to Gather Friday to Celebrate Environmental Work

August 06, 2008 - The Royal River Youth Conservation Corps will celebrate the end of its environmental work this summer with the statewide Youth Conservation Corps Jamboree.

The event, from noon to 3 p.m. Friday at Picnic Point Park on East Elm Street in Yarmouth, will bring together roughly 80 young people from 10 conservation corps groups across the state. The event will allow all of the crews to meet and talk about the projects they worked on this summer, said Blainor McGough, technical director of the Royal River Youth Conservation Corps.

"We really wanted to get together to share ideas about using native plants and different water quality strategies," McGough said. "We wanted them to meet so they could see that there are other kids that are interested in environmental work and becoming environmental stewards."

The Youth Conservation Corps teaches young people various planting, landscaping and erosion-control techniques known as Best Management Practices to improve water quality, stop soil erosion and educate the community about conservation issues.

Wilson "Will" Woodworth, 18, of Yarmouth finished his second year in the corps group. He said it was hard work but a great experience. Before the event, crew members and their families will tour each site worked on this summer including rain gardens, waterbars, native gardens, infiltration steps and riparian borders.

Woodworth said he is looking forward to showing his parents what he accomplished.

"It's a nice way to end the season," Woodworth said. "(The work) is pretty rewarding because you know you are doing something for the environment. When you are done with a project, you can see what you've accomplished. It feels good to know you are doing something positive."

The event will offer local music, food and a sculpture contest using recycled construction materials such as Geotextile, duct tape and recycled plant containers.

There will be games such as tug-of-war, a human wheelbarrow race and a challenge to identify native plants.

Several guests are expected to attend the event. They include David Littell, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection; Curtis Bohlen of the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership; and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham. McGough said this event is a good opportunity to recognize the accomplishments they made this summer.

"It's our chance to commend the crews on the work they do for watershed and the environment," McGough said.

By MELANIE CREAMER, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald, August 6, 2008


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