White Mountain Youth Corps
A youth environmental conservation program
in the White Mountains of northeast Arizona
In the summer of 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski wildfire ravaged nearly a half million acres of northeastern Arizona's forestlands. The Rodeo-Chediski fire damaged White Mountain Apache tribal lands, US Forest Service lands, and private lands. Anam Duan was funded by the State of Arizona's Arizona Workforce Connection to develop and implement a rural youth conservation corps to respond to ecological restoration needs of the region. The White Mountain Youth Corps was created with crews in Whiteriver and Cibecue on the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation, and in Show Low, Arizona. Crews and staff engaged tribal youth and non-tribal youth to work together with federal, tribal and state agencies to restore forestlands, watersheds and wildlife habitat damaged by the wildfire.
The White Mountain Youth Corps is a youth environmental conservation corps program for young people ages 18-21 that works to restore and protect natural ecosystems, while preparing young people for leadership and professional roles in conservation related fields. A project initially created and managed in 2002-2003 by Anam Duan, the White Mountain Youth Corps meets the challenges and addresses the needs of today’s rural young people, rural communities and their local ecosystems. WMYC combines youth development and leadership with workforce development, environmental conservation and education, and rural community development. The White Mountain Youth Corps is an AmeriCorps program, and was funded in 2002-2003 season through the State of Arizona's Arizona Workforce Connection. The White Mountain Youth Corps is now managed by the Youth Corps of Southern Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.
- advanced environmental conservation skills
- environmental education
- on the job experience in environmental conservation work projects
- Life skills training
- basic education and GED preparation
- basic employment skills training
- opportunities for leadership and responsibility
- AmeriCorps education award for advanced training or college education
- opportunities for public service and civic involvement
- high standards and guidelines for healthy, fulfilling professional and personal behaviors and lifestyles
WMYC staff are experienced and trained professionals with backgrounds in youth work, environmental conservation, and/or education. Staff have a passion for the environment and working with young people.
Participants - -called corps members - - serve on on crews of 8-10 members, working four 9-hour days in environmental conservation-related work projects sponsored by various public land management and natural resource management agencies. On the job training and education is woven throughout the day while the crew is in the field. Corps members then participate in a four-hour day of life skills sessions, environmental education, and basic education / GED prep as needed. The WMYC operates throughout the year, and corps members usually sign on for a 10 month renewable term.