Youth Summer Crew Hits
Wabash Nature Trail

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in July 2003.

A recent grant helps area youth while youth help the environment and alternative transportation.

Three youth have been hired through a $9,960 grant funded by the Department of Transportation's Urban Youth Corps Program. It was awarded to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a state-wide, member-supported, non-profit conservation organization that assisted local efforts to build the 63-mile Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

Crew members include Michael Blake of Farragut, Stacia Lorenze of Council Bluffs and Seth Tackett of Shenandoah. The team will focus its efforts on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. The trail connects Council Bluffs, Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah, Coin and Blanchard.

The Youth Corps Program has two goals: "to provide transportation-related employment and training opportunities to youth between the ages of 16 and 21," and "to accomplish meaningful and productive improvements to transportation facilities."
The Wabash crew will conduct construction and maintenance on the trail and its accompanying buildings. Dan Zollars of Shenandoah, a board member of Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. (SWINT), will supervise the crew on the trail. Curt Altizer, also from Shenandoah and another SWINT board member, will assist him.

SWINT is a private, non-profit organization made up of volunteers who are committed to recreational trail development. Through donations of money and time, SWINT develops and maintains the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

In addition to a paid summer job, INHF ensures that the program provides educational benefits. Participating youth receive training in resume writing, interviewing and first aid as well as instruction on equipment use and maintenance. As part of the environmental education component, they learn native plant identification and take field trips to various natural areas including the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center. They will also have the opportunity to attend County Conservation Board meetings.

"The Youth Corps really boosts the trail maintenance already being performed by regular volunteers and the Page County Conservation Board," INHF Heritage Conservation Corps Coordinator, Marlene Ehresman said. "Wabash Trace is one of the most popular recreation trails in Iowa. These youth help keep it looking good for the thousands of residents and visitors who use it."


For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, director of communications, or call (515) 288-1846.

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