FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May
21, 2024
American YouthWorks
crews helped restore Jones State Forest from recent storm damage
CONROE, Texas — Crews from American
YouthWorks helped restore parts of the W.G. Jones State Forest today, as part
of their contribution to assist their community following last week’s damaging
storms.
Storms and flooding recently ravaged
Houston and areas throughout Southeast Texas, leaving some families to start
over and communities to clean up.
Texas A&M Forest Service and
American YouthWorks took this time of need as a commencement of our recently
forged partnership to provide young adults with real-world opportunities to
learn about land management issues and challenges while making a difference.
“Service during times of need is what we
do,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “It’s uplifting to
have a group of young adults step up in recovery roles to help deal with
impacts of the recent storms.”
The team comprised of members of both
organizations completed forest management and storm restoration work
side-by-side, on the Sweet Leaf Trail at Jones State Forest. Crews worked along
the Sweetleaf Nature Trailhead on the north side of the forest. They cleared
large diameter downed trees, yaupon vegetation 2 – 3 ft on both sides of trail
and created approximately 7 ft. overhead clearance from branches.
“American YouthWorks' Texas Conservation
Corps is excited to partner with Texas A&M Forest Service to connect young
people to careers in forestry, natural resource management, wildfire mitigation and disaster
relief,” said Parc Smith, American YouthWorks Chief Executive Officer. “Together
we are shaping the future workforce of civic-minded, action-oriented, emerging
professionals for Texas."
The
two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding this spring, that
outlined opportunities to employ American YouthWorks crews for conservation and
emergency response projects. The goal is to further develop members’ knowledge,
skills, and abilities, including, but not limited to invasive species
management, wildfire training and mitigation, tree care and planting, and trail
management on state lands.
“So,
this mission emerged at an opportune time to bring crews in from American
YouthWorks to work with our foresters on a timely,
real-world restoration project resulting from storms that impacted a lot of
people, infrastructure and natural areas,” Davis said.
Tom Helmer, Conservation Corps Director
for American YouthWorks helped facilitate the forest restoration mission today.
He is dedicated to helping foster the next generation of leaders and
conservationists.
“Through on-the-ground projects
with our partners, young people are supported with conservation
training and career opportunities to make a lasting impact,” Helmer said.
“We strive to inspire and develop leaders who will drive positive change in
their communities and beyond – and this project with Texas A&M Forest
Service restoring the state forest today marks an important first step in our
ongoing partnership."
For more photos from today, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBrmq1.
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CONTACTS:
Texas A&M Forest Service
Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
Jonnyka Bormann, American YouthWorks,
512-744-1900, jbormann@ayw.org