March 31, 2009 04:28 PM
Image courtesy Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps site
Image courtesy Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps site
Gov. Mitch Daniels
Gov. Mitch Daniels
Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - The federal stimulus appears to be paying off for thousands of Hoosiers. The state announced 2,000 new jobs designed to improve life in Indiana.
Getting outdoors during the summer months for many is a goal. For at least 2,000 young adults, it can be better than that. It can be a job.
"You can think of this as healthy outdoor work," said Gov. Daniels.
If you are 24 years of age or younger living at or below the poverty line (approximately $23,000 for a family of four) and currently on the unemployment roll, the Daniels administration is rolling out a one-of-a-kind summer program in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources to hire 2,000 young adults to spend this summer improving the states parks, trails and natural habitats.
"We have a lot of maintenance needs but shortage of maintenance help every year," said Rob Carter, DNR director.
Thanks to federal stimulus money from the Department of Workforce Development, the DNR can offer these jobs from the first of May to the end of September at $8.50 per hour. Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
"They will be building a job record, perhaps some other skills along the way. Our goal of course is to help them not simply be productively occupied for a summer but to prepare themselves for a better job than they had before and a better job than this one when this 16 weeks is up," said Daniels.
Work will include restoring natural wildlife habitats, building trails, rehabilitating historic buildings at 100 DNR sites including state parks, reservoirs, recreation areas, state forests and historic sights.
"We want to see another 100 miles of trails this summer so hopefully we will get there," said Carter.
"Applications start immediately. Anyone who thinks they might meet the standards should give it a try," said the governor.
"This is going to be a good shot in the arm for the DNR and the state to have this additional help," said Carter.
More details:
The state will place a top priority on hiring veterans and those currently receiving unemployment benefits who meet the program's age and income eligibility requirements.
The 2,000 jobs include projects such as restoring natural wildlife habitats, building trails, beautifying Department of Natural Resources (DNR) properties, and rehabilitating historic buildings at about 100 DNR sites, including state parks, reservoirs, recreation areas, state forests, nature preserves, and state historic sites. All federal dollars will go into the young workers' paychecks; the DNR will use funds already budgeted for any needed materials.
The Department of Workforce Development and DNR will oversee the program. Job applications are being accepted immediately online.
The state will receive federal stimulus funds totaling about $24 million through the Workforce Investment Act to hire workers. This is a 91-county program. Under federal law, Marion County qualifies for $3 million of the total $24 million based on its population. Provided the program proves effective, the program will be renewed in 2010.
Project examples
· Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve (Lake County): Habitat restoration and invasive plant species removal on 120 acres.
· Potato Creek State Park (St. Joseph County): New trail construction and major trail rehabilitation.
· Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve/Limberlost State Historic Site (Adams, Jay counties): continued restoration of historic Limberlost wetland habitat.
· J. Edgar Roush Lake (Huntington, Wells counties): removal of shrubs, trees and restoration of wildlife openings to maintain wildlife diversity.
· O'Bannon Woods State Park (Harrison County): control and eradication of harmful invasive vegetation.
· Deam Lake State Recreation Area (Clark County): Construction of new six-mile horse trail loop.
· Patoka Lake (Crawford, Dubois, Orange counties): Re-construction and restoration of historic log cabin.
· Knobstone Trail (Clark, Scott, Washington counties): New construction and major rehab of Indiana's longest hiking trail.
· Turkey Run State Park (Parke County): Rehabilitation of historic Leiber Memorial.
· Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site (Noble County): Repair and maintenance of historic GSP home.
· Mississinewa Lake (Miami, Wabash counties): Repair work on historic Frances Slocum shelter.
· Pokagon State Park (Steuben County): Preparing Trine State Recreation Area to open to the public (Trine would be the newest state recreation area).
A map of Indiana DNR properties that will be part of the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps program can be found here.
Find out more about how Indiana is spending federal stimulus funds.
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Image courtesy Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps site
Image courtesy Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps site
Gov. Mitch Daniels
Gov. Mitch Daniels
Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - The federal stimulus appears to be paying off for thousands of Hoosiers. The state announced 2,000 new jobs designed to improve life in Indiana.
Getting outdoors during the summer months for many is a goal. For at least 2,000 young adults, it can be better than that. It can be a job.
"You can think of this as healthy outdoor work," said Gov. Daniels.
If you are 24 years of age or younger living at or below the poverty line (approximately $23,000 for a family of four) and currently on the unemployment roll, the Daniels administration is rolling out a one-of-a-kind summer program in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources to hire 2,000 young adults to spend this summer improving the states parks, trails and natural habitats.
"We have a lot of maintenance needs but shortage of maintenance help every year," said Rob Carter, DNR director.
Thanks to federal stimulus money from the Department of Workforce Development, the DNR can offer these jobs from the first of May to the end of September at $8.50 per hour. Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
"They will be building a job record, perhaps some other skills along the way. Our goal of course is to help them not simply be productively occupied for a summer but to prepare themselves for a better job than they had before and a better job than this one when this 16 weeks is up," said Daniels.
Work will include restoring natural wildlife habitats, building trails, rehabilitating historic buildings at 100 DNR sites including state parks, reservoirs, recreation areas, state forests and historic sights.
"We want to see another 100 miles of trails this summer so hopefully we will get there," said Carter.
"Applications start immediately. Anyone who thinks they might meet the standards should give it a try," said the governor.
"This is going to be a good shot in the arm for the DNR and the state to have this additional help," said Carter.
More details:
The state will place a top priority on hiring veterans and those currently receiving unemployment benefits who meet the program's age and income eligibility requirements.
The 2,000 jobs include projects such as restoring natural wildlife habitats, building trails, beautifying Department of Natural Resources (DNR) properties, and rehabilitating historic buildings at about 100 DNR sites, including state parks, reservoirs, recreation areas, state forests, nature preserves, and state historic sites. All federal dollars will go into the young workers' paychecks; the DNR will use funds already budgeted for any needed materials.
The Department of Workforce Development and DNR will oversee the program. Job applications are being accepted immediately online.
The state will receive federal stimulus funds totaling about $24 million through the Workforce Investment Act to hire workers. This is a 91-county program. Under federal law, Marion County qualifies for $3 million of the total $24 million based on its population. Provided the program proves effective, the program will be renewed in 2010.
Project examples
· Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve (Lake County): Habitat restoration and invasive plant species removal on 120 acres.
· Potato Creek State Park (St. Joseph County): New trail construction and major trail rehabilitation.
· Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve/Limberlost State Historic Site (Adams, Jay counties): continued restoration of historic Limberlost wetland habitat.
· J. Edgar Roush Lake (Huntington, Wells counties): removal of shrubs, trees and restoration of wildlife openings to maintain wildlife diversity.
· O'Bannon Woods State Park (Harrison County): control and eradication of harmful invasive vegetation.
· Deam Lake State Recreation Area (Clark County): Construction of new six-mile horse trail loop.
· Patoka Lake (Crawford, Dubois, Orange counties): Re-construction and restoration of historic log cabin.
· Knobstone Trail (Clark, Scott, Washington counties): New construction and major rehab of Indiana's longest hiking trail.
· Turkey Run State Park (Parke County): Rehabilitation of historic Leiber Memorial.
· Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site (Noble County): Repair and maintenance of historic GSP home.
· Mississinewa Lake (Miami, Wabash counties): Repair work on historic Frances Slocum shelter.
· Pokagon State Park (Steuben County): Preparing Trine State Recreation Area to open to the public (Trine would be the newest state recreation area).
A map of Indiana DNR properties that will be part of the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps program can be found here.
Find out more about how Indiana is spending federal stimulus funds.
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
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