HUNTSVILLE, Mar. 14, 2018 - After wilderness camping, the first recruits in the Canadian Conservation Corps are getting ready for several months of field training before unveiling their new community service projects.
"I'm thrilled to join the Canadian Conservation Corps because I'm passionate about environmental conservation,” said Grant Mask, age 24, of Ramara, Ont. “I'm especially excited to participate in the field work stage of the program where I hope to develop valuable environmental field skills to assist me in the final outreach and service stage and in my future career."
The new program was developed by the Canadian Wildlife Federation and is funded by the federal government as part of the Canada Service Corps.
“This inclusive program is designed to help youth learn and reinforce life skills in a fun, hands-on way,” said Casey Rose, Youth Leadership Specialist for Eastern Canada. “Participants will earn certifications and trainings, while being provided opportunities in conservation, networking and skill development. This unique adventure will open doors that you cannot even imagine. In today’s world of global change, there are many opportunities to help, and not always a clear path on how to get there. By experiencing a program such as the CCC, the doors to opportunity are flung open and the sky is the limit to those willing to take the challenge.”
Over the next two years, the Canadian Conservation Corps will recruit 90 participants, half from areas where young adult conservation programming is currently available and half from underserved parts of the nation. The first group of eight participants includes young adults from Alma, N.B., Calgary, Alta. Winnipeg, Man., Port Coquitlam, B.C. as well as Windsor, Kitchener, Ramara and Oshawa, Ont.
“Giving young Canadians the opportunity to enhance their skills and providing them with the tools they need to contribute to the conservation of wildlife and habitat is key for the Canada Service Corps," said The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. "Young Canadians are leaders today and by putting their passions into practice, they will be able to inspire other young Canadians to follow suit in their communities.”
The program has three parts:
- An expedition in an unfamiliar region of Canada that will help participants learn about themselves, their peers and the community at large
- A field work stage where participants will team up on the Canadian landscape with environmental experts in three broad categories: habitat creation and restoration, wildlife management and/or environmental science.
- A community outreach and service stage in their home communities where participants will inspire their peers and younger youth to improve their environment through service projects. Many partner organizations will welcome opportunities to work with the participants in the field following their core training. This may include parks, nature centres, fresh water and marine programs.
The second group of recruits will meet in Saint John, N.B. in May.
To learn more, visit CanadianConservationCorps.ca, follow @conservationcorpscan on Instagram or add @cwfyouthcorps to Snapchat.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending legislative changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. Visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca for more information.
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Contacts:
Heather Robison
Media and Community Relations Officer
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org
(613) 599-9594 x 212
Pamela Logan,
Communications Director
pamelal@cwf-fcf.org
(613) 599-9594 x250