National Park Service Manzanar PO Box 426 U.S. Department of the Interior National Historic Site 5001 Highway 395 Independence, CA 93526

760 878-2194 phone 760 878-2949 fax

Manzanar National Historic Site News Release

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2009 Contact: Anne Ashe Phone: 760 878-2194 ext. 2702 MANZANAR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE RECRUITING YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS MEMBERS

Manzanar National Historic Site will sponsor an 8-week long Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program this summer. Youths 15 to 18 are encouraged to apply, provided that they do not reach their 19th birthday before August 14, 2009.

YCC team members will work June 22, 2009 through August 14, 2009, earning the Federal minimum wage of $8.00 per hour. The work schedule is Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 4:30 p.m., with every other Friday off. The YCC team will work at Manzanar National Historic Site under the supervision of National Park Service staff.

“We are excited about providing local youth the opportunity to learn about the history of their country and to participate in preserving the resources associated with this part of the Owens Valley,” said Superintendent Les Inafuku. “The crew will gain hands-on experience through a variety of projects on-site, but will also work on some projects outside Manzanar.”

The 3-person YCC team will focus on the preservation of resources associated with the internment of Japanese American during World War II, with the Manzanar orchard community and with the Native American occupation of the site. In addition the crew will have opportunities to visit other historically significant areas in the valley, and will gain a more complete understanding of Owens Valley history and the issues facing the protection of these resources in the future.

Young men and women who are interested in applying may obtain an application form from the National Park Service at Manzanar National Historic Site Interpretive Center, 5001 Highway 395, six miles South of Independence. The completed application must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2009 to: Manzanar National Historic Site Attn: YCC Coordinator PO Box 426 Independence, CA 93526

The participants and alternates for the 2009 program will be notified by June 5, 2009. For more information, please contact Anne Ashe at 760-878-2194 ext. 2702.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A T M The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.