School, coalition seek volunteer workers to make a difference
The first of several improvement projects on local walking and biking trails will start at 9 a.m. today at the University of Southern Indiana.
Today's work will be done on trails near the baseball field at the southern end of the campus and that connect to Burdette Park.
Improvements include the assembly of picnic tables, planting native bushes and installing signs to mark the connection between the hiking and biking trail.
The school partnered with the Evansville Trails Coalition, which identified several local trails that will be receive attention through next spring.
At least three work days are planned for the remainder of 2010.
Anne Statham, director of service learning at USI, said the work is part of a larger focus on cocurricular service learning.
"The clubs and groups on campus already do a lot in the community," she said. "We are just trying to better organize these efforts."
Managing the process creates an opportunity to set learning objectives for students and make them reflect on the outcomes of the project, which might not happen during ordinary volunteering.
Beyond students from USI, other volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana, the Boys and Girls Club, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. after-school programs and the public are expected to participate.
Funding needed for project materials comes from a variety of sources. The university is paying for some of the materials that will be used on the campus, while grants will cover the difference and materials needed for off-campus projects.
Statham said three grants have already been secured. She hopes to receive a total of $8,000 to support the work.
Volunteers interested in helping today are asked to wear old clothes and closed-toe shoes.
Those interested in participating in upcoming service days can find more details at the Evansville Area Trails Coalition's website, www.evansville-areatrailscoalition.org.
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