A Message from the Founding President

Dear Friends,

What a special year this has been!

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps community is as strong as ever.

Our staff represents some of the most talented, caring, motivated people I have ever met. Our trustees have provided enormous leadership in guiding the organization forward, particularly this second year as we have settled into our new home, the Leadership, Education and Training Center, at the (Big Red) West Monitor Barn in Richmond.

However, as I reflect back, what strikes me the most are the many stories which our alumni have shared about this year’s experience. Whether you were on a traditional back-country crew, one of the new year-round school crews, part of the leadership retreat, or a pioneer in LEAP (program for blind and visually impaired youth), what you have accomplished has been amazing and inspiring!

Please know how proud I am of each of you for what you have accomplished for Vermont, her natural areas, your communities, and most, for yourselves. I will be watching to see how each of you will impact our world and make a difference – you will!

My door is always open. As your story becomes richer and fuller with each passing experience know that I am eagerly waiting to hear from you and be updated.

Most enthusiastically,

Thomas Hark Founding President [email protected] Program Overview

What is the VYCC? The VYCC is a non-profit service, conservation, and education organization. Our mission is to teach individuals to take personal responsibility for all of their actions. We accomplish this mission by forming small teams of young people who work with excellent adult leaders to complete high-priority conservation projects. The challenges and experiences each crew must overcome to be successful create an ideal setting to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Each year, the Corps hires almost 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 to manage state parks, build trails, restore rivers and streams, and improve community greenspaces.

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) was founded in 1985 with a one dollar appropriation from the Vermont Legislature. Since then, it has served more than 4,200 young people from every county in Vermont, and has completed several million dollars worth of priority conservation work throughout the state. Since moving into the West Monitor Barn just over two years ago, the VYCC has quickly become more than just a great summer program for hundreds of Vermont youth statewide. This beautifully restored barn has already allowed us to expand to year-round offerings, including a Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources Program in partnership with local schools, which serves high-school students at risk of not completing high school.

In addition, our ten-month long Conservation and Community Leadership Program staffs Vermont State Parks from spring through fall, and members complete public service projects with local non-profits in the winter. National Disaster Relief Crews (five fielded to date) help communities recover from natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, summer Leadership Retreats held at the Barn assist our Corps Members in developing community service projects and equip them with the skills needed to implement them in their home communities, and this summer was the pilot of our Learn, Earn and Prosper (LEAP) Program for blind and visually impaired youth. 2 93 Summer Crew Types

During the summer, the VYCC hires youth to work on the following types of crews:

Wilderness Crews Wilderness Crews represent a very physically and mentally demanding experience, where Corps Members and Crew Leaders spend three to four weeks at a time living and working in backcountry settings where the luxuries of home are few and far between. During this time, crews complete essential trail restoration projects and learn to live in a community that is focused on mutual respect and understanding. By placing Corps Members in a setting that is virtually devoid of modern distractions and conveniences like showers, electricity, computers, and running water, an environment is created that is conducive to tremendous growth.

Vermont State Park Crews (CCL) The VYCC, in its fourteenth year of successful partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, fields Park Crews to manage every aspect of four Vermont State Parks (Allis, North Hero, Elmore and Lowell Lake) from grounds maintenance to customer service. By taking responsibility for complete park operations, Corps Members learn personal responsibility, environmental educational programming, attention to detail, customer service skills, accounting and bookkeeping, conflict resolution, time management, respect for the environment, and diligence, while gaining many transferable job skills.

LEAP – Learn, Earn, and Prosper This summer, the VYCC offered a new program specifically for youth who are blind or visually impaired. The goal of the Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP) program is to make the VYCC experience accessible for youth who have visual disabilities. Roving Crews Roving Crews provide a very unique opportunity for Corps Members to complete projects that tie into a broader landscape. Crews literally rove around the Vermont landscape, working on a minimum of two distinct projects within a three or four week session. They typically camp in State Parks and so are afforded some of the conveniences and comforts of home such as showers and running water while completing high-priority conservation work.

Community Crews Seven-week long Community Crews serve the unique function of allowing Corps Members to complete high-priority conservation work in their hometowns in a non-residential setting. Each crew unites in the morning at a central location where their van and tools are cached. Community Crew Corps Members are exposed to many local current events and complete an amazing array of challenging projects in their hometowns. They are inspired to remain connected to their communities and strive to create projects to leave their own positive mark on the society closest to their lives. 4 Year-Round Programs

Since moving into the Leadership, Education and Training Center at the West Monitor Barn two years ago, the VYCC has been able to expand to work outside the traditional summer months to provide programs with a longer timeframe to encourage superior outcomes for targeted populations.

Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources Last year, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps ushered in a new program to engage and challenge Vermont youth with the opportunity to participate in a work-based learning program as part of their regular school day. This new program partners with Mount Mansfield Union High School (Jericho, VT), the Center for Technology – Essex (Essex, VT), and Lamoille Union High School (Hyde Park, VT). Crews complete high priority projects with local farmers, natural resource professionals, and community organizations, while earning full academic credit for their participation. As a work and project- based learning program, interns are challenged academically and professionally through their daily work. Conservation and Community Leadership (CCL) For the past three years the VYCC has been a participating Lee River Internships organization in the AmeriCorps National Direct Program. In 2007 For the past two the VYCC incorporated summer management of four Vermont years, the VYCC has State Parks, direct conservation, and high priority community partnered with the Lee service to create a comprehensive AmeriCorps experience called River Program and the the Conservation and Community Leadership (CCL) Program. The Vermont Department CCL program is designed to teach effective leadership, community of Labor throughout living, and job skills through active stewardship and service to the school year to Vermont’s state parks, lands, and communities. The program employ youth at the exposes Corps Members to a broad spectrum of conservation VYCC Leadership, experiences through completion of high-priority conservation Education & Training projects while allowing them to develop their leadership skills and Center, at the West gain a wide base of transferable job skills. Monitor Barn, in Richmond, VT. The AmeriCorps VISTA VYCC’s experience The AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) with this program has program aims to leverage human, financial, and material resources been very successful, to community organizations that provide services to low-income as it creates both a individuals. The program enrolls full-time members in roles that worthwhile and meaningful experience for high school students create, expand, and enhance such programs. in the local area, while VYCC employees have the opportunity to carry out a mentor-type role and positively influence youth In 2007, the VYCC enrolled seven AmeriCorps*VISTA members, in our direct community. including three Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources VISTAs, who provided the foundation for our new school based program. Disaster Relief Other members included a Technical Development VISTA and In 2007, the VYCC fielded one Disaster Response Crew to an Operations VISTA, both of which improved the quality of assist with cleanup from the damage caused by Hurricane our existing summer programs, a Facilities and Events VISTA Katrina. As the last of a series of five Disaster Response who enhanced our ability to manage a new facility and land, and Crews, the 2007 Crew traveled to Pearlington, Mississippi to finally a Youth Development VISTA who expanded our programs assist with disaster recovery on residents’ homes and prepare to service visually impaired participants. Each member provided a shelter for a large group of incoming volunteers. The crew invaluable service to the organization, and overall this program is did the complete planning, research, and fundraising to make a pivotal resource for improving quality, expanding capacity, and the project possible, and serves as a shining example of VYCC implementing new programs. Corps Members taking responsibility for their own idea and working to accomplish their leadership goals.

5 Project Profiles Brattleboro Community Trails

In 2005 the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, the Windham Foundation, and Retreat Healthcare met to discuss inventorying, making safe, and developing a nine mile public trail network, which exists on lands owned by the Windham Foundation and the Brattleboro Retreat between I-91 and Linden Street (Route 30) in Brattleboro.

The trails were constructed for use by Retreat patients beginning in 1880 and trails have continued to be used by local community members. However, “They needed a lot of work,” explained Windham Foundation President and CEO Stephen Morse. “The trails had become overgrown, had erosion issues, and were littered with fallen trees.”

Over the past two years the VYCC has worked to map, assess, and overhaul these trails to create an environmentally stable trail network that is accessible, navigable, and safe for all trail users, providing the community with endless recreational opportunities for years to come.

This summer’s crew worked for four weeks on the Brattleboro Community Trail system. Along the way they used creative problem solving and teamwork to construct one 20 foot bridge with rock-filled timber crib steps on either end. The crew also constructed 2,943 feet of new trail connecting the northern end of the system with Upper Dummerston Road, near Interstate 91. To build this new trail the crew cleared the corridor, cut the trail tread, and installed seven rock steps and six rock step-stones. The crew also blazed the whole trail with paint on trees. In addition, the crew placed 76 signs along all of the trails to help trail users navigate this extensive system.

The crew also went through all trails and performed seasonal maintenance. They made improvements to the corridor and drainage structures to ensure safe passage, proper drainage, and smooth flow of pedestrian traffic on the entire 9.2 miles of the existing trail network. In this process the crew closed three trails which were either unsafe or led users out of the trail network.

Partners for this project included: The Windham Foundation, Retreat Healthcare, the Entergy Corporation, an anonymous donor, the Hogle Trust, the Crosby Foundation, the Dunham-Mason Foundation and the VYCC.

The trail map for the Brattleboro Community Trails can be downloaded on the Windham Foundation website at www. windham-foundation.org or the Brattleboro Retreat website at www.retreathealthcare.org.

6 Project Profiles Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park The VYCC partnership with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Hisorical park began in 2004, designed to foster education and stewardship in young people from the Woodstock area. Corps Members on this crew were able to immerse themselves in the rich history of the park and the town of Woodstock, while learning about the future of forest management. This year the crew continued to complete high-priority conservation work in the park as well as the surrounding area. They jumped into work on the Bridle Trail, a historic horse trail now used for hiking. While utilizing sustainable trail construction techniques, the crew addressed erosion problems and stabilized the trail for public use. The National Park Staff provided training for the crew on apple tree release techniques and taught them about the variety of invasive species that exist throughout the park and Martin Covered Bridge Park in Vermont. Using weed wrenches and hard labor, they removed and disposed of Japanese Honeysuckle, Bayberry, In 2007, the VYCC Montpelier Community Crew worked and Buckthorn. at the Martin Covered Bridge Park along Route 2 in The Crew was also involved in an exciting new initiative Marshfield. This project involved developing a new trail called the Mountains and Rivers Forever (MRF) Camp. through recently conserved lands that connect Route 2 to MRF reached out to 20 middle school students (ages 12-15) the Cross Vermont Trail. Hikers on this trail will cross for three weeks during the summer. These young adults an historic covered bridge which will be renovated in collaborated with the VYCC, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller conjunction with this project. The trail is about 2,300 National Historical Park, and other local organizations to feet long. develop an understanding of land stewardship and a sense of place while serving the community. With the VYCC The Montpelier Community Crew spent three weeks crew based at the park, the MRF campers completed completing a large portion of this trail, which extends from conservation stewardship service-learning projects which the bridge site across the floodplain (including two wetland encouraged students to develop new skills and explore crossings) and up the large knoll. It continues through the personal empowerment. VYCC Corps Members were woods to the old Montpelier-Wells River railbed. empowered to be project leaders and had the opportunity to serve as youth-mentors to the campers. Part of the crew’s work involved the construction of 200 feet of ditching, the installation of two culverts, and Building on the success of the MRF Camp and the work resurfacing of about 100 feet of an old logging road to that this year’s crew completed, we look forward to help turn it into a usable pedestrian path. The crew also continuing this remarkable partnership. Huge thanks go completed the construction of two wetland crossings. out to Christina Marts from Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller These boardwalks totaled 96 feet in length and involved a National Historical Park for all her hard work and lot of lumber hauling and teamwork. wonderful energy! The crew helped to till and seed the area around 12 large stones which were placed to form a 40-foot circle around a flat boulder. This circle sits on top of a knoll and offers sweeping views of the Winooski River.

Special thanks to Rich Phillips, Project Manager for the Martin Covered Bridge Park. He has provided endless support to the VYCC crew on the ground and vision for the project overall. Huge thanks also go to VTrans, who sponsored the crew through their Urban Youth Corps Program. 7 Wilderness Crews

810 Wilderness 1 Crew Accomplishments:

Wilderness 1 spent four weeks working on the Thundering Falls project in Killington re-routing a section of the Appalachian Trail and making it handicap accessible. There they cut 360 feet of new trail and constructed 21 drainage dips.

Total Hours Worked: 1,760

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Bryan Nakayama, Liz Gwinn, Sarah Parker, Ryan Anderson, Carter Wilson, Crew Leader Jessica Public Land Corps, The Green Mountain Club, Rubin. Front Row: Oliver Hackerson, Crew Leader United States Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Club Joel Jukosky, Jasha Pick, Liv Smith-Hammon, Jennifer Glenister, Erin Meade. Not Pictured: Sam Scogin.

Once upon a time there fell into the wild, nine fearless heroes of the backcountry. With biceps bulging and glands perspiring, this bunch of rapscallion highlanders saved the Appalachian Trail from ruin and demise. Our heroes began their quest on a sunny woodland morning early in the month of June. After constructing their top secret base camp code named “the green wonder”, they boldly attacked a gravel monster with vengeance. Next, they demolished a wooden fortress which marred the picturesque landscape of Killington, Vermont. After making the valley by Thundering Falls wheelchair accessible and forging a new path for the epic Appalachian Trail, they worked vigorously to mine and set large boulders guaranteed to remain long after they had departed to the glorious hall of Valhalla.

But wait! There’s more…One fine afternoon our heroes found themselves sitting mercilessly against their arch nemesis, the gruesome villain of gravel, when along traipsed a merry fellow. With fire helm ablaze and pockets abound with delicious sugary treats; this friendly chap led the noble entourage away from their fight, heading deeper into the forest. Acting in opposition to years of wise parental advice not to accept candy from strangers, the nine weary warriors followed blindly behind their new leader, fondly known as Dave Harloff, as he made haste toward the good lands flowing with milk and refined sugars. While following the sprightly hooligan they heard, wafting through the under story, many notes of enchanting beauty. Where, they asked themselves, was this auditory bliss coming from? Well faithful reader that lovely music came from the beat machine of none other than Mr. Dean Birdy, the man who gave the prodigal crime-fighters their most potent words of wisdom. “You ever tried walkin’ up an escalator that’s goin’ down? Think about it. Life is so simple.” And those, my dear friend, are words we all can live by.

9 Wilderness 2 Crew Accomplishments:

Wilderness 2 spent four weeks at the West River Trail near Ball Mt. Dam building one 18 foot bridge, rock steps, drainage dips, cross drains, and wooden steps. These improvements will enhance public safely and enjoyment of the trail in all seasons and conditions.

Total Hours Worked: 1,600

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Chris Mercon, Elon Parker, Aveyen Farneth, Emma Frappier, Crew Leader Sam Maron. Front Row: Vermont Agency of Transportation, Friends of the Amanda Jimenez, Cecilia Scribner, Ashleigh Carr, Crew Leader Jessi Rudolph. West River Trail

It was a dark and terribly stormy night, when a crew of eight members staggered onto a rain-soaked trail in a place known as Jamaica. Through the white pails they searched for a substance long forgotten: FOOD. The next day the crew awoke to a sight unparalleled by any person: a fleece clad man dressed in a Dockers cap. The crew was now at 9! During a noon-time meal another figure approached. In the middle of the trail stood a male in perfectly creased slacks. This must be our man from Tunbridge! The crew was now complete: the count was 10.

As the weeks ensued, accomplishments were achieved and strong bonds were formed amongst the crew. Trials and tribulations were to be had as this crew’s ‘beastly’ bonds were put to the test. Through the weeks the crew discovered an abundance of quirks among the members, such as one Crew Member’s affinity for the popular vegan snack of Newman-O’s. Another seemed to have an overabundance of socks…42 to be precise. Some Crew Members found small plastic children’s toys at the work site and named them Judy and Chuck. One Member’s vegan eating habits inspired another to do the same. This lasted 8 days. There was much talk of the infamous ‘smelly smeller’, the person whose dietary needs were satisfied by simply smelling foods. None were ever seen.

Through the weeks much progress was made improving the accessibility and charm of the West River Trail. Great stairs of stone were constructed; trails were moved, improved and maintained. A great bridge was built and was named: Sparky.

And so, the crew of ten will leave the forest as a strong and happy community who are forever friends. This is the tale of Wilderness 2, where the Moose was very loose! Peace, love and bubblegum.

10 Wilderness 3 Crew Accomplishments:

Wilderness 3 spent three weeks working on the Thundering Falls project in Killington rerouting a section of the Appalachian Trail and making it handicap accessible. The crew created 65 feet of trail as well as rock steps, drainage dips, rock waterbars and stepstones.

Total Hours Worked: 1,080

Crew Weeks: 3 Work Project Sponsors:

Public Land Corps, The Green Mountain Club, Back Row: Crew Leader Don Niebyl, Daniel Griffith, United States Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Carter Wilson, Galan Strader, Page May, Crew Leader Jessica Rubin. Front Row: Abigail Langsner, Jennifer Club Glenister, Liz Gwinn.

In the beginning, a fellowship was forged to embark on the epic quest to preserve the forest and integrity of the great Thundering Falls. Nine strangers were summoned from across the land. They traveled across desert, over mountain, and through glen. Some also answered from the gentle shores of the Winooski River.

Jess of the Earth Mothers and Don, Lord of the Ferns, were appointed leaders of the expedition by the Council of Richmond Elders. Others soon joined the cause; Page the Pagemaster, Galan the Beast from the hills of Peacham, Liz with her Magic Dirt, Jen the Giver, Dan the Dandelion King, Abi of the Hulas, and Carter of the Shining Dragon Beard Clan.

After journeying far and wide searching for the sacred river and grove, they built their hideout nestled amongst the trees along Kent Pond and only a short trot from the Mountain Meadows Lodge. Each day they set out with the sun, trekking to the valley of Thundering Falls. Forgetting all fear of injury, they worked mining rocks to remake the drainages on the paths using earth and stone. They also constructed a staircase to ease the passage of weary travelers.

After weeks of toil, the Fellowship set off to renew their spirits with a mountain top vigil. They strode through harsh wilderness, battling the spiny forest beasts, to reach the peak of Pico Mountain. Beneath the starlit sky they lay renewing their lifeforce through the power of the mountain spirits. On their return, they paused at the Long Trail Inn for a Feast of Feasts. They ate well and returned from the journey refreshed. With newfound spirit they completed the final tasks of the quest. The Fellowship’s purpose fulfilled, the members returned to their native lands always reminiscing about the days of old spent in the forest and the challenges they faced there. And now it may be said that the trails of Thundering Falls and its valley will never be scoured by the faces of nature or time.

11 Wilderness 4 Crew Accomplishments:

Wilderness 4 spent three weeks working on the Elmore Mountain Trail rebuilding the hiking trail below the ranger’s cabin. They built nine puncheon bridges totaling 72 feet as well as rock steps, drainage dips, rock waterbars, stepstones, a 30 foot retaining wall and 30 feet of ditching.

Total Hours Worked: 968

Crew Weeks: 3 Project Sponsor: Back Row: Judy Contompasis, Sam Darling, Cindy DeFreest, Crew Leader Jessi Rudolph, Sarah Wentworth, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Crew Leader Sam Maron. Front Row: Samantha Hicks. Recreation

Teardrop leaves pierce goldenrod summer rays of light into our camp kitchen, where each morning a methodical rush to the frosted flakes ensues. *We eat as water boils for chai tea and dirty dishes. * Morning WORD, and then the soothing challenge of the hike to our worksite. * A kaleidoscope of color filters through the canopy; the beauty of the morning sun is something many of us forgot. * There is a group commiseration over the collective perspiration after the long—but ever easier—hike, and no one minds the stench during tool check. * There is a feeling of empowerment as hard work is completed; the lifting of boulders and crushing of smaller stones are daily activities. * The time passes oddly because scrutiny of the clock for organizational purposes is juxtaposed by an absolute loss of time and space in these woods, which is characterized by awakening at dawn and retiring at lights end. * From our camp on the Beaver Pond Trail we can hear cars in the distance, and we are relieved to be far removed from the hustle and bustle. Paychecks mean little for the time being, because out here, mere paper cannot compare to raw trees, and stones, and water. * We’ve helped people breathe easier on their hike to the firetower, where at the top; we ourselves were struck breathless by the view. * In the past three weeks we’ve moved boulders weighing more than three hundred pounds using only our bodies and metal bars. We’ve set rocks to perfection to build beautiful stone staircases. We’ve manipulated dirt and small rocks to redirect the flow of water in order to preserve the hard packed and frequently used trails. We’ve laboriously piled rocks to create an inviting entrance at the trailhead which simultaneously discourages unwanted ATV’s. * We’ve loved our work, built a community, and made new friends. * And we found five dollars. * No sunglasses, word stays in word. Peace, Love and hip-hop.

12 1315 Roving Crews

1416 Roving 1 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 1 worked at the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest. Each week the crew maintained 19 campground sites.

Total Hours Worked: 877

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Kacy Chicoine, Emily Smyth, Elizabeth United States Forest Service, Moosalamoo Demarais, Nathan Borochoff-Porte. Front Row: Crew Leaders Sarah Hays and Glen Stollberger. Association, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

Parody to Tom Petty’s: “I’m in Love with a Girl”

We drove to work in a Suburban - Mountain roads can be perturbing - Mid- session, we pitched a second bug tent - Because bug season was repugnant * Oak Ridge, North Branch, Lana Falls - I will need some S.S. Stalls - All these waterbars, all this clearing - I enjoy this ‘outdoor’ feeling * I worked with a guy whose name is Nathan - He worked REALLY, REALLY hard - His chin soon disappeared - ‘Cause he grew out his beard * I worked with a girl named Emily - She was engaged by the VYCC - If you can’t “be here now” - Then she can teach you how * I worked with a girl whose name is Liz - And at camp chores she was a wiz - She injured her right feets - And showered us with sweets * I worked with a guy whose name is Kacy - His guitar-ing was so crazy - He helped us with some trail juts - And we ate all his donuts * Pudding wasn’t good for dinner - But the Long Trail was a winner - We learned to dangle and to swing - It turns out rope is a useful thing * I worked with a boy whose name is Glen - He played video games in his den - He couldn’t stand his desk job - He’ll be in the woods from now on * I worked with a girl whose name is Sarah - She believes in snowboards, not mascara - She unified the crew - With talks of me and you * I worked with sponsor named Jeff Harvey - He’s the one always flossing at the party - He walked out on this ledge - And there was a bear - And a hawk - And he looked from the bear to the hawk - Bear, hawk, bear, hawk - And long story short, he used his wits to outsmart them both * Through the Green Mountains we romped and ran - Smokey and Woodsy joined our clan - The Forest Service was in parades - I can’t believe the friends we made…

15 Roving 2 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 2 spent their first week together working at Coolidge State Park maintaining the CCC trail by building 160 feet of new trail, rock steps, drainage dips, wooden steps, stepstones, and cross drains. The crew then spent three weeks working on the Sterling Bridges and Stairs project, building and reworking a 300 foot section of trail.

Total Hours Worked: 1,500

Crew Weeks: 4 Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Crew Leader Don Niebyl, Jordan Kidder, Galan Strader, Crew Leader Megan Schaeffer, Elizabeth Refino, Craig Sherman. Front Row: Katie O’Sullivan, Bruce Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, Trayah, Abigail Stilianessis. Not pictured: Kailey George. Town of Stowe, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

Once upon a time, eight random individuals signed up for session 1 of the VYCC; something much bigger than any of them could imagine.

“Coolidge” The first week was a blur of card games and trail maintenance in a far away land known as Coolidge. Thanks to our sponsor Rick White, we made a safer trail and built a staircase, all the while enjoying afternoon swims at Plymouth. “Sterling Part 1” Upon arriving at the breathtaking field reminiscent of Switzerland we were pleased to find an abundance of wild strawberries. Despite being up to our knees in mud we managed to build another staircase and safer trails. On our first weekend in our kingdom we built a kitchen table from the materials given to us by the landowner Gar Anderson. “Sterling Part 2” We moved onto our next project, something completely different; bridges! To say the least it was fantastic, even though the rain and mud threatened to take down our morale. Mud became a common feature for us; being permanently engraved into our skin and clothing. Though the perma-dirt, insta-soak and forever-wet was a constant reminder of the unforgiving rain we triumphed above all. Our bridges were done early and we were well on our way to out final tasks. “Sterling Part 3” More bridges! These ones proved to be more treacherous than the last, though now there are only two. Set into groups of four we set out to accomplish both bridges and then some. We finished our bridges even through all the, you guessed it, mud; this time up to our mid-thighs. Nevertheless the fearless we-are-in-this-all-together Roving 2 Crew pulled through the hard and not so hard times. Amazing job guys!! Way to go Don, Megan, Galan, Craig, Jordan, Katie-O, Kailee, Abi, Bruce and Liz. We make an awesome team.

16 Roving 3 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 3 worked on the Bill Ballard and Dresden Fields Trails in Norwich creating new trail, crib walls, rock steps and stepstones.

Total Hours Worked: 1,600

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Eric Maple, Hannah McDonough, Erynne Vermont Agency of Transportation, Norwich Land Paradis, Elizabeth Dana, Kyle Katz. Front Row: Crew Leader Marc Musgrove, Timo Green, Crew Leader Eliza Management Council, Upper Valley Trails Alliance Kenigsberg. Not Pictured: Stephen Bassett, Rachel Franz.

Despite a slight case of 8th grade dance syndrome, Roving 3 shed their initial “library crew” label and became a tight, charismatic powerhouse. Despite the loss of 2 crew members, the Three-ers set up camp behind Sydney and Peter Griggs’ house in Norwich and started an amazing half-session of work on the Bill Ballard trail. They installed 24 awesome stepping stones, began clearing incredibly overgrown trail, and built an unbelievably amazing re-route!

Every morning they worked to become as buff as Police Officer, First Class, Marc (Master, Oh Master!). This meant up to 25 push-ups, 50 crunches, 50 “side-straddle hops”(aka Jumping Jacks-Jumping Jacks are for kids!), 60 seconds of ‘plank’, and some hard-core stretching. During the weekends, they made much needed trips to the Laundromat, played Ultimate Frisbee, hit the Norwich ‘Pool” (actually a small pond), went to VINS, and the Queechee Gorge, and downed canisters of hot chocolate mix.

During the second half of the session the Roving 3 folks built a new “King Arthur Flour Trail” and met with birding master George Clark and had fun identifying and learning about birds. Other highlights include rake races (they cleared 90 feet of trail in 12 minutes!), an amazing BBQ hosted by the ever generous Norwich Land Management Council, a project sponsor, incredible chain-sawing skills by John Tayler, lightning shows and much, much more! 1,2,3,ONE, 1,2,3, TWO, 1,2,3, ROVING 3!

17 Roving 4 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 4 worked at Camp Dream in Cambridge cuting 75 feet of new trail. The crew also installed a turnpike and crib wall, stepstones, check dams and cross drains. The crew then worked on the Year Round Trail at the Mount Calvary Red Maple Wetland in Burlington building new trail and bridges.

Total Hours Worked: 1,518

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Rachel Weston, Mark Jackson, Crew Leader Andrew Moss, Roy Mercon, Crew Leader Carlyn Perovich. Front Row: Florence Howell, Alex Segar Reid. Not Camp Dream, Burlington Department of Parks and Pictured: Adam Hakey, Robin Major, Thomas Sicely. Recreation, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

Roving 4 is a crew of troopers. They don’t complain. At Camp DREAM, they lay stepping stones in the rain, build turnpiking in the scorching sun, cut check steps into rock, build bridges in knee deep mud and crush enough stone to extend the Great Wall of China into Russia. They fight off hordes of murderous raccoons and a fearless squirrel named Wade. They can log roll, ro-sham-bo and play big booty simultaneously. They also speak to Ravens in their free time.

At the Mount Calvary Red Maple Wetland, it’s said that they cut 2x10x8’s like butter and lay new trail so fast that the mosquitoes can’t keep up. Fifty foot bridges and 235 feet of puncheon go down like clockwork – crew members are found designing angle cuts on straightaways just to add to the challenge. They drive a van that could outstink a herd of skunks and that could outrun Chuck Norris. They are Costco product tasters and Mr. G’s Aficionados.

Now that the session is over, the fearless members of Roving 4 are scattered all over the world accomplishing amazing feats of strength and bravery. But no matter how far the roam, when it comes time for GORP break, they’ll reunite with a cry of “Heeey Roooooving Fooooour!!!”

Crew Accomplishments - Placed 47 stepping stones - Installed 8 check steps - Built a 3 section raised puncheon across a wetland - Built a 50’ bridge - Installed 235’ of puncheon

18 Roving 5 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 5 worked on the “Old Route 2” section of the Cross Vermont Trail in Montpelier, where they expanded 500 feet of new trail that will one day connect Montpelier to Plainfield. The crew spent their last two weeks working at Pine Hill Park in Rutland building two new trails totaling 1.5 miles.

Total Hours Worked: 1,253

Crew Weeks: 4 Work Project Sponsors:

Vermont Agency of Transportation, Cross Vermont Crew Leaders Matthew Polt and Rebecca Francisco, Trail Association, Rutland Recreation and Parks Glynnis Cronin, Page May, Chelsea Luzader, Alan Byrnes, Jade Martin, Thomas Kalinoski. Not Pictured: James Department, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR) Merriam.

Roving 5 has been in need of help for 4 weeks. Cast adrift in the Watermelon Monster Mobile on June 16th, we first washed up on the shore of the Cross Vermont Trail in East Montpelier. We were captained by the bold Greg Western. He put us to work building 500 feet of multi-use trail that was 6 feet wide and 4 inches thick! Just when we glimpsed the shores of Pine Hill Park in the distance, new tasks to prepare for the Montpelier Community Crew’s arrival surfaced in our path. We then set sail for Pine Hill Park in Rutland and passed the torch and bridge cache for the Cross Vermont Trail to the next VYCC crew. As we sailed into the un-chartered territories of Pine Hill Park, our ship was boarded by the ever enthusiastic Captain Michael Smith. He joined us with a smile and truck to bring our gear deep into the depths of the park. We hauled our gear up- hill and made camp on a rock outcropping perched high above Rocky Pond. We then began work on our un-christened trail, since named “Doorknob”. Blazing through with mattocks and rock bars in hand, we completed ‘Doorknob’ in 4 days. On Friday morning, we pulled anchor and began work on “Stegosaurus”. The un-blazed trail, riddled with boulders, rock out-cropping, and overgrown with un-ripe blueberries was quickly transformed into a mountain biker’s paradise. Winding ¾ miles through rugged terrain, this trail branches and double backs in a gnarly variety of riding options to tease and tantalize the most elite riders. With 5 ramps, 3 jumps, and 10 bank turns, this trail offers serious challenges. Along the way, we have seen many strange and wondrous things and met even stranger and more wondrous people. We visited an abandoned rock quarry, camped where Cindy Lauper once camped, and danced with the 12 tribes. It’s been a spectacular adventure.

19 Roving 6 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 6 spent their first three weeks working on the Kettle Pond Portage Trail in Marshfield where they resurfaced the trail and built retaining and crib walls. The last week the crew worked on the Chase Brook Bridges and Trail Connector project in Fayston clearing and cutting new trail and building bridges.

Total Hours Worked: 1,432

Crew Weeks: 4

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Sarah Infante, Sasha Rothenberg, Edward Ploof, John Doyle, Jordan McCann, Danielle Rupert, Elizabeth McCarthy. Front Row: Crew Leaders Bobbie Traverso- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Estes and Carl Ciarcia. Not Pictured: Henry Cesari. Recreation, Mad River Path Association

Recipe: Dank Roving Crew 6

Ingredients: 1 part lovemuffin gravel mistress (Sasha), 1 part hippie snowboarding musician Christian punk (Jordan), 6’4” of Grrrrrr! And Glasses (Ed), 1 part economically-sized worry wart drummer extraordinaire (Betsy), 285 lbs. of love and sarcasm (John), 9 working intact fingers of automotive/culinary expertise (Sarah) 1 hunk of determined and smiling mystery meat (Henry), 1 ½ parts well seasoned Youth Corps Jane-of-all-trades (Rain), Plus 2 inches of cinnamon

Directions: 1. Blend thoroughly and marinate in a crew leader bisque of spicy Sicilian (Carl) and Bubbly bunkcious Vermont zest (Bobbie) 2. Apply liberally on the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation’s first universal access trail located in the Groton State Forest at Kettle Pond. Include over 400’ of gravel, 3 wheelchair pull-offs, a 42’ stone retaining wall, and a splash of stone cribbing here and there 3. Chill casually through the coldest July night on record 4. After 3 weeks, transfer the mixture to Chase Brook in Fayston, VT where the Mad River Path Association will be waiting 5. Soak well in 4 days of heavy thunderstorms, a flash flood and hail 6. Add a 60’ bridge with rope railings, roughly 1000’ of new trail benchcut into an epically steep hill side, 4 stone waterbars and a 13 step staircase built from rock 7. Refresh the crew twice in the Vermont State Capitol Public Restrooms, let set one afternoon in the Vermont Flower Farm, allow for two group hikes, and strain to remove all chipmunks and moldy work gloves 8. Fold in a one hour musical titled “VYCC: A Day in the Life”, performed by the crew as their Conservation Leadership Project 9. Finally, for flavor, add 60 gallons of laughter, 97 hugs, a liberal drenching of mud and plenty of sweaty hard work

Yields enough memories of teamwork, community and fun to last a lifetime!

20 Roving 7 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 7 spent four weeks working on the Brattleboro Community Trails in Brattleboro where they built a trail to connect the existing trail network to Upper Dummerston Road. The crew also constructed a 20 foot bridge over a small stream exiting Lily Pond and installed sign posts, rock steps, stepstones and cross drains.

Total Hours Worked: 1,576

Crew Weeks: 4 Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Amanda Duffy, Rebecca Paskiet, Katelyn Windham Foundation, Retreat Healthcare Troutman, Kayla Premo, Dan Matarazzo, Allan Conger, Crew Leader Lucas Somers. Front Row: Crew Leader Laura Reimer, Justin Hale, Valen Delgado.

Roving 7, which was christened Rover 7 due to a mistaken reporter, has much to be grateful for. 4 weeks were spent tucked away behind the Ice Pond at the Brattleboro Community Trails. Much time was spent at massage circles, playing cards, Skallah, and countless bets were proposed including several involving hair and one involving latrines and ice cream for the victorious party. Perhaps what we were most notably grateful for was “Dan, Dan the sponsor man”, who regularly bestowed upon us gifts of smoked Gouda, cheddar, and garlic cheese. Also of note, Mother Nature spoiled us with sunshine the first few weeks, but came rumbling in with a vengeance during the 3rd and 4th weeks and hence ‘Rover 7’ spent many a damp and moldy night around camp. Camp life was generally pleasant, though we suspected the seemingly innocent, frolicking chipmunks of having evil tendencies. We all know they were secretly plotting to stage a coup while our backs were turned.

Rover 7 did know how to bust it out, however, and successfully completed a 20 foot bridge, crib step approaches, a stone staircase, stepping stones, and built 2,943 feet of new trail! We also maintained 9.2 miles of trail and installed 76 sign posts. In addition, we successfully saturated our work clothes with mud and dirt during several friendly fights. This generated much excitement until we realized we had to work the rest of the day in wet, sandy pants. Evenings were frequently spent at Deeoh’s Hole along the serene Connecticut River in Brattleboro and weekends were usually spent wandering aimlessly amongst the awe-striking civilization of downtown Brattleboro, working our basketball game, remarking on the wonders of Jelly Belly’s and repeatedly filching Luc’s hat.

Through hard work, sweat, blood and B.O., Rover 7 persevered and is proud to present the good citizens of Brattleboro with a safer, happier, and less confusing experience for runners, hikers, bikers, and skiers alike! We leave VYCC with pride swelling in our chest and fond memories in our hearts.

21 Roving 8 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 8 worked at the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest. Each week the crew maintained 19 campground sites by raking and clearing fire pits. The crew also painted buildings and removed trees from trails and historical sites.

Total Hours Worked: 715

Crew Weeks: 3 Work Project Sponsors:

Back Row: Crew Leaders Glen Stollberger and Sarah Hays, Rochester Ranger District, United States Forest Thomas Sicely. Front Row: Jacqueline Terry, Elizabeth Dana, Lee Sienkiewycz. Service, Moosalamoo Association, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

Roving 8: Chapter 2 “The Moose”

Roving 8 went to silver lake Then found the suburban had no brakes We climbed up the cliffs of Rattlesnake And found what a good meal a fried Oreo makes We “wok”ed as one with a “Body Like a Snake ” We were half vegetarian so we didn’t eat steak We shocked fish, tubers , and some bread we baked Jeff Harvey advised us so we didn’t make mistakes Bear, Moose and falcons galore, We prayed at Mayan temples while hot chocolate we poured We swung from the rope of happiness While speedy was busy making our campsite a mess We ate pink mac and cheese and “Also a Shovel ” Built 220 water bars. Yeah On The Double! We learned safety from Fred and his friend Barney Rubble . This is Sarah, Glen and Jacqi, Lee, Tom, and Liz Walked on the Long Trail but ran into trouble (Oww) REPRESENT!! We had a playground fiesta, ate bread from Lee’s Mom HOORAH! Then we all had to get away because of HOT TOM ! Stepping stones, drainage ditches, clearing brush with a 1 Woked-a reference to one of Glen’s parodies swizzle, 2 Body like a snake-Tom’s body bending abilities Cut wood out back while Lee jammed on his fiddle. 3 Tuber-people in tubes on the river The Rochester Ranger Station crew had the power 4 Mayan temples-Glen’s fire building techniques They taught us about fish and let us take a shower 5 Speedy-a curious chipmunk We uncovered old ruins with Dave Lacey, who’s a blast, 6 Shovel- a digging tool you put in the dirt to move it And learned about the ice age while digging up the past 7 Barney Rubble-not actually there! So we’ll miss our summer here, one of the best we’ve ever 8 HOT TOM-quote from Tom spent, 9 shower- when you bathe

22 Roving 10 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 10 worked on erosion control at Shelburne Pond and at the Helen W. Buckner Memorial Preserve in West Haven removing invasive species. The crew worked at the North Pawlet Hills/Haystack Mountain Trail Restoration in Pawlet re-routing 60 feet of trail making the lower portion of the Haystack Mountain hike more gradual and free of water erosion.

Total Hours Worked: 1,196

Crew Weeks: 3 Work Project Sponsor: Back Row: Crew Leader Eliza Kenigsberg, Jonathan Boutwell, Josh Young, Hannah McDonough, Kevin Rokes, Gwendolyn Robinson, Crew Leader Marc Musgrove. The Nature Conservancy Front Row: Joshua Maple, Elizabeth Demarais, Sara Goyette.

Roving 10 ended its existence on August 12, 2007, peacefully fading into memory. It came into the world on July 21st, 2007 at the VYCC Education and Training Center adorned in a green shirt and temporarily clean Carhartts. It jumped into life whiney, unrefined, and unsure of what lay ahead. There was much traveling (to the glorious lean-tos behind the Training Center) and many policies and people to get to know.

The first third of its life was spent gaining experience by re-routing a trail, pulling invasive species, and building a wooden staircase at Shelburne Pond. Roving 10 began to develop into a fun-loving community. As it grew, it was necessary to find a new place to stay; a house fully equipped. It made new friends from the grand NYC and together the team tackled the project of removing old farming equipment at the Galick Farm with The Nature Conservancy. A grand discovery was made when a rattlesnake was sighted! Roving 10 banded together to remain calm and relocate the snake in order to preserve its own precious life. In a respite from the normal workload, Roving 10 spent 2 days canoeing on the river, constantly on the lookout for deadly invasive species. The team pulled out 1850 lbs. of water chestnuts. In its further attempt to be environmentally conscious, it used its newfound skill to eradicate a significant portion of Phragmites, a non-native reed found in the Champlain watershed. Roving 10 was now coming into its own, with slightly dirtier uniforms and understanding of crew expectations.

In contrast to the middle of its life, the last leg proved to be the hardest. Through the mud and watery stream it moved 11 rocks into place for a stone staircase as well as stepping stones to complete a safe stream crossing at Haystack Mountain in North Pawlet. Roving 10 also constructed 2 re-routes, 3 drainages, and 2 waterbars. After a very full and eventful life Roving 10 will remain forever a piece of the Vermont Landscape and the VYCC family.

23 Roving 11 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 11 worked at Ascutney State Park creating re-routes on the Futures and Weathersfield Trails and rock waterbars. The crew then worked at Okemo State Forest on the Healdsville Trail, creating new trail, drainage dips, rock waterbars, stepstones, check dams and cross drains.

Total Hours Worked: 895

Crew Weeks: 3

Work Project Sponsor: Back Row: Danielle Rupert, Jesse Durfee, Aveyen Farneth, Crew Leader Andrew Moss, Cassandra Hill. Front Row: Michael Wells, Eric Ziegelman, Katie Brown, Crew Leader Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Carlyn Perovich. Recreation

Alias Name: Roving 11

• Locations: Ascutney, Okemo • Mission: Oversee the success of 15 waterbars, 5 cleaned waterbars, 1 cross-drain, 7 dips, 6 check steps, 75 feet of re-route, 6 outlets and 1 side drain on Okemo. Then 3 crossdrains, 19 waterbars, 10 dips, 3 outlets, 7 cleaned waterbars, 300 ft of re-route, 8 check steps, and a lot of trail repair on Ascutney. • How to Achieve: Meet up with Rick White, your “sponsor” and agents “Scott”, “Charity”, “Jess”, and “Dary” to receive backup. • Undercover Activities: Play 500 (Don’t sledge the Frisbee. Watch out for Ziegelman) Freestyle with J-Durf during “work”. Play ERS with Katie for eye-hand coordination. Belly-dance with Ace for boredom solving. Listen to WRAN: Radio Rain. • Mission Status: Complete. Very Successful. Congratulations. • Agent Betsy Sledge Status: Deceased. Decapitated in the field by Ziegelman, She served well while she lived.

Ode to Agent Betsy Agent Betsy, my dearest love, The sledge that fit so well in my glove. The 8 pound weight and smooth wood stick, Definitely the tool I would pick. You’ve broken rocks completely apart, And this time you’ve gone and broken my heart. You should have complained of your abuse Should have warned us so that we knew Maybe we shouldn’t have worked you so hard- But we thought you liked to make rock shards- But now we’re all a little sad and surprised- That here on Okemo is where you died. With your head fallen off into the dirt- Splintered handle no more to flirt With us or any rock we see, Oh poor hearts that love you Betsy. 24 Roving 12 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 12 worked at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Swanton resurfacing 13,500 feet of trail on the Black Creek, Maquam Creek and the Stephen J. Young Marsh Trails. The crew also contributed to stream stability in the Rock River Watershed building rock riprap and check dams.

Total Hours Worked: 800

Crew Weeks: 3

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Crew Leader Rebecca Francisco, Craig Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, United States Sherman, Jacob Porier, Brendan VandeBerkt, Ed Morrison, Crew Leader Matthew Polt. Front Row: Fish and Wildlife Department Hannah Billian, Katrina Premo, Katie Payea.

Yo! Roving Crew 12 is our name, invasive species are our game! We worked with Dave and Joe at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Yo! We pulled water chestnut and frogbit all day, hey hey hey! That’s why we get our pay! We marked some boundaries, for trespassers to see. We helped out on some trails and carried tools in pails. Cleared a bird banding site. Yo, that stuff was tight! We rode in a fire truck and saw some herons, osprey and ducks! We found a lot of leeches and hung out on mountains and beaches! We listened to Blue Oyster Cult and told Godzilla it was all his fault! Yo, yo, Godzilla! Always working on out daily chores and snacking on nightly s’mores. Becca’s music got us through. Matt fell out of every canoe! Jacob made the toilets clog, while Katrina played with frogs. Hannah carved a funky spoon, and Craig’s kindness was a boon! Katie drew with an artist’s hand, and made our flag fly so grand! We met and played with North Hero’s parks crew, naming off cars like Toyotas and Subarus. We are all pretty cool cats, and we learned about raccoons, wild edibles and bats! One night we saw a really big frog and Matt screamed “Oh my God, Yo!” You can forget about the difference between good and well. Peace out from Roving Crew Twelve!

25 Roving 13 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 13 worked at Niquette Bay State Park completing major trail maintenance including creating new trail, cribbing, drainage dips, rock waterbars, and wooden steps. The crew also worked on the Dorset Farm Recreation Path Extension in South Burlington cutting 750 feet of new trail and providing maintenance to the existing Bike Trail.

Total Hours Worked: 1,097

Crew Weeks: 3 Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Crew Leader Carl Ciarcia, Kailey George, Adam Francis, Kick Gabel, Loren Munger, Elizabeth Cronin. Front Row: Chelsea Luzader, Sarah Kresock, Rosie Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and McQuiggan, Crew Leader Bobbie Traverso-Estes. Recreation, City of South Burlington

You’ll never guess what we did on Roving 13 for three weeks; two in Niquette Bay, and one in South Burlington. In Niquette Bay we built a stone turnpike, made a new switchback, and fixed a wooden staircase compromised by erosion. Our awesome project sponsor, Jessica Rickeson, from the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation was a big help with the turnpike. We would not have known how to do it without her or survived that one super hot afternoon without her special treat of ice cream. Our time in Niquette Bay was great because we worked so hard and got to go swimming after work almost everyday. Plus, Amber and Jay, the Park Rangers, and a park volunteer named Jim made frequent visits, usually with cold drinks, cookies, or other cold treats. When we weren’t working we had fun playing games like Mafia, Capture the Flag, Streetfighter, Ichy Mini Hoi, and Crew Clip Who.

During the last week at Dorset Farms in South Burlington we were busy cutting a brand new trail through thick forest. We cut trees and removed about a million stumps from the tread way but somehow we finished the project one day ahead of schedule. On our last work day we moved to the South Burlington Bike Trail, where we trimmed back brush, trees, and some invasive plants to make room for bikers and improve visibility around sharp corners. During that last week we also performed our Conservation Leadership Presentation which was a lot of fun. It included a rap about “Nature of the Day” or NOD, some “Yo Momma” jokes that taught our audience about trail work and life in the VYCC, and finally a song that goes something like this:

“Oh we started out two weeks ago, and now we’re best of friends It started out a little slow, but we’ll make it till the end We added in a switchback, and fixed the broken stairs We added in a turnpike, despite our nasty hairs On weekends we go sailing, and restock all our food We go swimming whenever we can, which puts us in a good mood However on those weekdays, we worked all day long We crushed about a ton of rock, which made us really strong!”

26 Roving 14 Crew Accomplishments:

Roving 14 worked in Essex on the Lower Fern Hollow/Linden Lane erosion project. There the crew built 18 check dams, 4 revetments and a total of 102 feet of brushroll.

Total Hours Worked: 800

Crew Weeks: 3

Work Project Sponsors:

Town of Essex, Missisquoi River Basin Association, Agency of Natural Resources Clean and Clear Back Row: Crew Leader Laura Reimer, Chris Berube, Program, Vermont Department of Environmental Graham Sorenson, Aaron Moritis, Crew Leader Lucas Somers, Kathryn Yawney. Front Row: Theresa Demarais, Conservation - Water Quality Division Jane Manby, James P. Urell, Brittany Webb.

Rock 1) moving with 2) bars and 3) roll plus 4) songs we are banned from singing. Oh! What a beautiful morning… VYCC Rules!! Intense games of SPIT. Overall Champion: James. Most entertaining: Katie v. Aaron. Nobody can work like Grahama can. Green looks best on James’ face.

Check dams, 18 of them to be exact. Along with 32 bio logs, all completed in 2 weeks @ a stream in Essex, sponsored by Dennis Lutz. Rivers + Streams; our brilliant CLPP topic, on which we became experts + shared our knowledge on said topic EXTREMELY well! Extreme accents + CLODacious personas (Ex. Clodio, Frenchie, etc.) We missed you terribly Laura!!!

Forever, will we remember these 3 weeks! Outstanding work, no matter what the weather. Utterly impossible to stop laughing… HAHAHAHA! Rainville Farms. Where we planted 514 ft of oats + rye and worked with volunteers from the Mississquois River Basin Association + later continued to transplant MANY trees. Sponsored by Brendan O’Shea and Brian Jerose. Two, non-stop Forest Gumps. Everybody participates to his/her fullest potential. Ello!!! No! Mind your own business!!! (the song).

27 Community Crews

2830 Leadership Retreat

In July the VYCC hosted its second Annual Leadership Retreat at the Leadership, Education and Training Center for all Community Crews. Over forty Corps Members and ten Crew Leaders came together with the VYCC staff and local community members to strategize ideas about sustainability projects and take action on their collaboration. The purpose of the retreat was to provide a framework for discussion and to plan projects that impact local communities in a positive way.

The retreat kicked off with an inspiring session in the kitchen, where Corps Members mixed, kneaded, and baked fresh bread and cookies, washed locally donated produce, and created trays of lasagna for the two day event. During the first day of the retreat, discussions revolved around effective leadership and considerations related to sustainable living, including the ‘happiness index’. Corps Members also planted lettuce in the VYCC garden that was later harvested and used for a closure event at the end of the summer. National Historical Park trail system, and hosting a Sustainability Fair. The highlight of this retreat included the opportunity for Community Crew Members to camp out in the VYCC lean-tos Corps Members spend the first four weeks with their crew and get a taste of what life is like on a residential crew. Corps learning about and developing their leadership style. They are Members also presented their work projects to the entire group then able to use the Leadership Retreat as a time to focus that and Crew Leaders had the opportunity to meet and share learning before they return home to put those skills to work. successful strategies and problem solve with their peers about their summer experience. On October 13, the Montpelier Community Crew ran a Sustainability Fair with the goal of moving from awareness Once the broad topic of sustainability was addressed, to action. A number of local organizations hosted booths that participants turned their focus to creating action plans by offered information on opportunities to participate in events that brainstorming, consulting one another, and collaborating. call people to move from awareness to actions. The event was a A palpable excitement filled the haymow as ideas were huge success as dozens of people strolled through the fair while generated like cleaning a local park and adding features for listening to the music of a local high-school band. The power of skateboarding, removing a car from the Winooski River, pursuing a small idea was evident as Corps Members celebrated putting on a rendition of Dr. Suess’ The Lorax, constructing a the outcome of their hard work and planning. historically accurate bench for the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller

29 Montpelier Community Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Montpelier Community Crew worked with Montpelier Parks planting trees and performing trail maintenance and at the Waterbury Train Station building a terraced garden using old railroad ties. The crew also worked on the Cross VT Trail and at the Marshfield Covered Bridge Park.

Total Hours Worked: 2,607

Crew Weeks: 7 Work Project Sponsors:

Back Row: Elizabeth Sturgis, Spencer Williams, Crew Vermont Agency of Transportation, Cross Vermont Leader Elizabeth Towle, Roderick Morrison. Middle Row: Crew Leader J. Bradley Materick, Indigo Wolf, Meredith Trail Association, Town of Marshfield, Montpelier Whitney. Front Row: Evan Crandell. Parks, Revitalizing Waterbury

Definition: Sustainability Crew \ses-‘tā-nə-bi-lə-tē\ (from Greek sustanae “good ‘n’ green” and abila “to do”) n. 1. A group of 9 or 10 people (depending on what point in history you examine) working on top-priority conservation projects in the Greater Montpelier region. 2. One big happy family built on trust and respect where everyone feels comfortable being themselves, even when making terrible puns. 3. A group of Vermont youth serving their community and getting paid while developing professional skills in communication and leadership that will serve them well in future employment and educational settings. 4. The VYCC crew that in addition to planting trees, maintaining trails and building boardwalks also jumped in numerous mud puddles, learned to start a fire with a bow drill, met the mayor of Montpelier while attending the opening of a community garden, went on a fabulous wetland nature walk, and attended a 2 day leadership retreat at the VYCC headquarters in Richmond!

The Numbers: 153 trees planted 10 tons of rock moved 2 large stone benched built 20 drainage swales dug 1 terraced garden constructed 10 check dams built and filled with granite 2 miles of trail maintained 2 muddy quagmires repaired 1 stone circle roto-tilled and planted with grass seed 96 feet of wetland boardwalks constructed 10 culverts completed Many, many terrible puns vocalized

30 Woodstock Community Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Woodstock Community crew was based at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park for their seven weeks together. The crew completed many projects that enhanced the historical nature of the park and worked with the Mountains and Rivers Forever Camp on trail mantenance.

Total Hours Worked: 1,740

Crew Weeks: 7

Work Project Sponsor: Back Row: Katie Fedele, Cameron Jarvis, Alexandre Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Brands, Ethan Rousseau, Crew Leader Heather Durkel. Front Row: Crew Leader Kate MacDonald, Chris Morin, Brooke Donoghue, Benjamin Polas.

Highlights of Our Summer: 1. Swizzled the perimeter of a GIANT field and cut a forest of trees which were in the field as part of a Field Restoration Project for the Summer Pasture of MBR. While swizzeling and sawing we picked and ate lots and lots of scrumptious strawberries & therefore dubbed the field Strawberry‘ Field’. 2. Weeded and lopped non-native and pesky species in a new plantation of Norway Spruce and mulched the area (which was on a fairly steep hill) with woodchips. GOAL: to not fall down the hill with a full wheelbarrow and dump the mulch. 3. Lopped saplings and small trees surrounding the historical Mackenzie Site. We did this so that trees’ roots did not push apart the rock foundation and so passers by could enjoy the historical area better. 4. Observed and recorded information on salamander plots installed by the 2006 MBR VYCC crew and added a new plot of our own!! 5. Worked on Mt. Peg, installing drainage ditches and an open rock ‘culvert’. We also found and moved a massive rock which we named ‘Big Poppa’. 6. For 2 days the 3 corps members became full on leaders and lead a group of 20 students ages 12-15 for a day camp called Mountains and Rivers Forever. –During this time we fixed up a trail called the Precipice Trail, put in 9 water bars and filled in the road where it had washed out quite a bit.

Our Bumper Sticker Ideas and Fun Quotes: My son/ daughter is a Rockbar! Rocks Rock, Woods Wood, I Break for Snacks, Got Tulips? Send in the Professionals, During a tour by a Park Ranger: “This is the site of an old farm which was bought by Billings and to our left is the VYCC…” If you were a booger, I’d pick you first. “How much does a polar bear weigh? … Enough to break the ice. Hi! I’m Rohn!” –Rohn. “Was that an earthquake or did I just rock your world?” –Brooke. “Quick! Someone spit in my hand!” – Rohn while working on a project. Chuck Norris was once bitten by a Cobra. After days of excruciating pain, the Cobra finally died. “Thanks for the doughnuts Justin!” (Whole Crew) 31 Burlington Community Crew 1 Crew Accomplishments:

The Burlington Community Crew did trail work for the Intervale Center,Vergennes Rail Trail and Hinesburg Villiage Trails. The crew built rock steps at the North Shore Beach Access in Burlington and wooden steps and puncheon bridges in Milton.

Total Hours Worked: 2,246

Crew Weeks: 7 Work Project Sponsors:

Back Row: Heidi Smith, Paul Mercurio, Sara Lawler. VTrans, Burlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Middle Row: Crew Leader Jen Trombley, Sam Shook, Crew Leader Lizzy Fox, Anne Minor. Front Row Machaela Luke. City of Vergennes, Hinesburg Trail Committee, The Intervale Center, Inc., Town of Milton

Fearless leaders Jen and Lizzy are constantly laughing, as Jen leads an extraordinarily exciting life, and Lizzy is psyched about work every single day. Our crew is also a lively bunch made up of: Michaela, the prankster and future world dictator; Heidi, who is fluent in rabbit and cow; Paul, the idea ninja who can fly;Annie, the rock climber, triathlon athlete and rock muscle master; Sam, extreme machine enthusiast; Sara, daydreamer and story elaborator extraordinaire; and part-time Dwayne who is all smiles. With our powers combined, we became… The Burlington Community Crew One! The most revered of all conservation corps!

We’ve mastered numerous projects with awe-inspiring problem solving and cooperation skills. In the intervale in Burlington, we lopped, we chopped, and we blew the monstrous stump right out of the ground as we completed a connector to the Rena Cawlkins Trail. Our long hours on the bucket brigade were rewarded with tours of the Intervale Compost project and the McNeil Generating Station, and ice cream sandwiches.

In Vergennes we cleared the Rail Trail, spread gravel via wheelbarrow, and suffered the hottest days of the summer. On the Russell Family Farm in Hinesburg, invasive species fled our wrath and we whipped a bunch of 30-foot one- ton railway rails in an impressive show of strength and ingenuity. It took us only three days and nine rockbars to tame a rockslide into neat stone steps leading down to the sandbar in Burlington. Back on the Russell’s Farm, we built stairs of rocks we moved like pillows, cribbed a superb retaining wall, and once again mastered the railroad rails to lay supports for bridges. On Milton’s River Walk, our final project, we constructed an impressive timber step-puncheon bridge hybrid spanning the muddy boot-swallowing pit. Our entire crew collaborated on a live performance of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” complete with script, costumes, set, and public service announcements for the education and enjoyment of our families and sponsors. Sorry, we have to rock out!!

32 Burlington Community Crew 2 Crew Accomplishments:

The Burlington Community Crew 2 first worked in Morrisville on the Lamoille River on erosion control. In Barre the crew built two rain gardens; and in Huntington the crew cleaned a farm dump. The crew constructed and maintained VYCC’s first garden at the West Monitor Barn.

Total Hours Worked: 1,056

Crew Weeks: 5.5 Work Project Sponsors:

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Andrew Grey, Crew Leaders Sara Armstrong and Cara - Water Quality Division, Huntington Conservation Butterly, Eric King, Silas Wells, Sarah Davis. Not Pictured: Josh Stewart. Commission, AmeriCorps VISTA

Our crew kicked off the summer by spreading six yards of compost on our newly tilled garden at the West Monitor Barn. We also created beds for our plants to grow in and mulched the aisles with hay to help control the weeds. We planted specialty greens like red russian kale, arugula and mizuna. We sowed many rows of beans along with turnips, beets, carrots and spinach. By the end of our five and a half weeks together we were harvesting lettuce from our garden along with many, many spicy radishes.

We also completed the construction of a compost bin that will turn food scraps from the West Monitor Barn into lovely compost for the garden in the future. We learned first hand that compost piles that aren’t comprised of the right mixture of ingredients or proper ventilation tend to give off a funky smell. PU!

We worked in many weather extremes this summer and spent time in Barre and Morrisville on projects focused on erosion control. We built rain gardens to keep rainwater from flowing into the street drains and into an area consisting of well drained soil and plants that can tolerate extremely wet or dry conditions. Ironically, it rained while we built them.

We then spent five days cleaning up an old farm dump along the Huntington River. The rubbish had been there so long that trees had grown up around it and we needed to dig into the bank to retrieve most of it!

We also helped set up and take down for the Richmond Fourth of July celebration along with the help of the Richmond-CTE Community Crew. Though we worked really hard, we enjoyed the many gifts of appreciation we received from our sponsors. Thanks!

33 Richmond-CTE Community Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Richmond-CTE Community crew was made up of students from the Center for Technology, Essex. The crew worked in Richmond building 24 kiosks and completing trail work at the West Monitor Barn, and at the Jericho Cemetery restoring gravestones.

Total Hours Worked: 1,726

Crew Weeks: 7 Work Project Sponsors:

Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association, Jericho Rory Brady, Joanna Rae Lafoutaine, Sandy Sosinski, Crew Cemetery Association, Center for Technology-Essex, Leaders Matt Dragon and Michala Peabody, Cory Delorme, Tiana Cook, Quentin Wright, April Grout. Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

The Richmond Community Crew a/k/a “The Rock Stars” was a partnership between the VYCC and The Center for Technology at Essex (CTE.) Some of the work we did during our seven weeks together included building kiosks, helping to set up for the Richmond 4th of July parade, cemetery restoration in Jericho, and constructing trails at the VYCC Headquarters in Richmond.

For the first four weeks the crew built informational kiosks for theVermont ATV Sportsman’s Association (VASA). These signs will be posted at trailheads by VASA to display trail rules, maps, and post information and all together built 24 kiosks. We received lots of help from VASA Director Danny Hale. During this time we also assisted with the set up of the Richmond 4th of July parade. We set up and took down tents, tables, and chairs. For all of our hard work they generously gave us soda, pizza, and homemade fries.

Our next project was helping the Jericho Cemetery Association by cleaning, leveling, and straightening gravestones. Our highlights of the week were: leveling and moving “Foster” (the largest gravestone we moved – it took six of us,) and uncovering two “lost” gravestones named “Lucy” and “Mother” which we cemented back into place. We were often visited by Jericho residents that had family buried in the cemetery. We were even able to find the gravestone of a long lost family member.

For the last two weeks as rockstars we constructed trails at the VYCC Leadership, Education and Training Center. We used hand tools to clear one new trail, create one reroute, resurface one trail, and construct drainage dips and one turnpike. These trails lead to the lean-tos on the VYCC’s property and will make it much easier and safer for everyone to get to them.

The time we spent with the VYCC had us doing some hardcore work and taught us a few things too. We became a close team and learned better communication skills as a crew. We moved rocks that weighed more than any of us. We built kiosks, had sword fights with noodles, and played whiffle ball and kickball with HQ staff after work. We dug ditches, got muddy and had fun!

34 LEAP Community Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The LEAP Community Crew was made up of six youth with visual impairments. The crew lived at the Rock Point School in Burlington and worked at ReCycle North on a variety of projects.

Total Hours Worked: 1,120

Crew Weeks: 4 Project Partners:

Gibney Foundation, State of Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, ReCycle North, Linking Learning to Life, Vermont Association for the Blind and Back Row: Crew Leader Matthew Brantner, Dustin Atkins, Visually Impaired, Vermont Association of Business, Kemal Cross, Aaron Senese. Front Row: Brett Hess, Becca Camp-Allen, Ashley Tomasi. Industry and Rehabilitation, AmeriCorps VISTA

For four weeks, six Corps Members with visual impairments, their Crew Leader and a Rehabilitation Teacher had one common goal; the eradication of needless waste by Vermont’s populace, one donation at a time. The LEAP Crew partnered with ReCycle North, an organization specializing in waste reduction, job training, and poverty relief, where we worked to prevent usable household goods and building materials from ending up in Vermont’s landfills. The members worked in one of five departments. Each Corps Member had visual acuity lower than 20 / 70 and two students were legally blind. The crew overcame many hurdles to become seamless members of their workplace and fight the fight against waste and poverty!

Ashley Tomasi worked on the front lines in the Household Goods Store, where she performed great acts of retail prowess, keeping a vortex of goods presentable, designing store displays, and answering customer questions. Aaron Senese worked under the guidance of two “Titans of Technology” in the Computer Repair Department where he salvaged computers for usable parts, tested networking equipment and cleared computers for sale; all while sipping from a water jug and gargling the theme from Star-Trek! In the Large Appliance Repair Department, Brett Hess wrestled with the massive bulk of rogue washing machines, braved icy blasts from old refrigerators and withstood the heat of numerous ovens! All these exploits ensued as he saved appliances from certain landfill doom and refurbished them for happy lives in new homes! Kemal Cross saw sparks fly (literally) while working with Robin in the Small Appliance Repair Department. He grasped piles of lamps, radios, clocks, and CD players with his extremely muscular right arm and attempted to instill them once again with the magic that made them work! Becca Camp-Allen performed office tasks at the speed of light, checking and re-checking balances and tirelessly hammering upon the keyboard before her in the Office Administration Department as she attempted to keep ReCycle North operations running smoothly. Dustin Atkins worked in the distant (across the road) land known as the Building Materials Center where he worked to make sales and find new homes for windows, doors, lumber, and tons of other salvaged materials!

35 School Crews

3836 Mount Mansfield Union H. S. Crew Accomplishments:

The Mount Mansfield Agriculture and Natural Resources Crew was made up of students from MMU and based at the West Monitor Barn througout the 2006-2007 school year. The crew completed a variety of projects rooted in agriculture and natural resources.

Crew Weeks: 30

Project Partners:

Mount Mansfield Union High School, University of Back Row: Operations Manager John Leddy, Christian Vermont Extension, Smokey House Center, A. D. Bromley, Justin Robert, Justin Barton, Jon Cabral, Dylan Harris, Instructor Cara Butterly. Front Row: Technical Henderson Foundation, AmeriCorps VISTA Skills VISTA Matt Dragon, Dan Chrisman.

The Mount Mansfield Union High School Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program was quite a mouthful to say and early on they were dubbed the MMU Ag Crew. This group of individuals had the courage to try something new, radical and unconventional – learning outside of a classroom! After going through the application process the crew began working together in November 2006. Each day they would leave the high school and travel to the West Monitor Barn to work on projects. Each project the crew worked on had a link to agriculture or natural resources in some way.

We took both the Hunter and Trapper Education classes and everyone passed the test! We built boxes for wood ducks to nest in and also participated in a bobcat study in Chittenden County with UVM grad student Mark Freeman. We were able to host a trap on the VYCC’s property which we checked every day. Although we didn’t catch a bobcat it was fun to get outside and see traces of wildlife activity in the snow.

Also in the winter we built shaving horses with the help of Matt Dragon and Dan led the crew on a project to make snowshoes out of PVC piping. We visited local blacksmith Jim Fecteau of Huntington River Smithy and repaired some broken tools from the workshop. We also had the opportunity to make “log dogs” for the Technical Skills Program which will be used in the future for hewing beams with timber framing projects.

In the spring we worked with the Intervale Conservation Nursery helping harvest young riparian trees that would be sold and replanted throughout Vermont’s watersheds in an effort to maintain water quality and healthy habitats. Thanks Leah and Andrea! Our last week together we worked with Doug Nolan (a local stoneworker) installing the granite pavers on the walkway into the Barn. It was great to be a part of such a permanent project! 37 Lamoille Union H. S. Crew Accomplishments:

The Lamoille Union High School Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Crew was made up of students from LUHS and based at the high school for the 2006-2007 school year. The crew completed a variety of projects rooted in agriculture or natural resources.

Crew Weeks: 29

Project Partners:

Lamoille North Supervisory Union, University of Instructor Sara Armstrong, Shannon Tarrier, Trevor Greening, Skylar Grimes, Josh Tallman. Vermont Extension, Smokey House Center, A. D. Henderson Foundation, AmeriCorps VISTA

A small but mighty crew! We were together from November 2006 through June 2007, and during that time we had many accomplishments. Our biggest accomplishment was that we laid the groundwork for a fabulous new program at Lamoille Union High School that will continue for years to come!

We began our time together by getting to know our area a little bit better; we talked trees with the county forester, rocks with a local geologist, soils with local farmers, and learned a lot about wildlife with Vermont Fish and Wildlife. We even got our hunting and trapping licenses- (and passed both tests with flying colors!). In the winter we honed our skills with traditional tools, making mallets and the beginnings of shaving horses. Matt Dragon led the way on these projects and we learned how to use cross-cut saws, fros, axes, adzes, hand drills, and broad-head axes. These were a lot of fun.

Throughout the year we had a big focus on agriculture. In the winter and throughout the spring and summer, we worked on a total of seven local farms doing projects ranging from seeding vegetables to building a chicken pen, to setting up a greenhouse to shoveling horse manure. Through it all we had smiles on our faces and even though it was hard work it was a lot of fun! We even got high school credit!

Our culminating project was starting a school garden. We designed, researched, wrote a grant (and got it!), and started the garden. We had fun purchasing tools and seeds to begin the garden, but it was a lot of work to make it happen! We are proud of what we started at LUHS and are excited to see it grow with the VYCC! Way to go Shannon Tarrier, Trevor Greening, Skylar Grimes, Josh Tallman and Sara Armstrong!

38 Center for Technology - Essex Crew Accomplishments:

The Center for Technology - Essex Crew was based at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond. The crew teamed with the Technical Skills Program to complete a variety of projects, most notably the rehandling and repair of several tools used by our summer crews.

Crew Weeks: 11

Project Partners: Jeremiah Nichols, Philip Flanigan, Jason Ganyeau, Instructor Matt Dragon, Ryan Clapper. Not Pictured: Robert Barbour, Instructors Sarah Hays and Miles Center for Technology-Essex, AmeriCorps VISTA Jenness. The spring 2007 Center for Technology at Essex crew was a crew to write home about. The five legendary boys Jeremiah, Ryan, Robbie, Jason and Phil were incredible workers that were lead by three different leaders throughout the spring. These leaders were Matt Dragon, Sarah Hays and Miles Jenness.

This crew worked on multiple projects each week and put extraordinary effort into each one. They worked on tasks that helped VYCC while they learned how to use traditional tools. After learning how to re-handle tools they taught others the same techniques. They all became pros at handling axes and some even constructed their very own ax. Throughout the spring this crew worked on repairing and re-handling other tools used by our summer programs like pick-mattocks and sledgehammers. This crew also cleared culverts and made rock check dams. They built a large fire pit and benches from split logs to be placed around it. The crew put together wooden worm composting bins to be used at the headquarters office. As far as leaving a mark on the landscape, the crew helped to demolish a fence and planted over a dozen trees around the perimeter of the VYCC property.

This crew also worked in the Richmond community and helped to clear a piece of the Richmond trail off of Cochran’s Road. Working together they crew created many ways to improve the trail and prevent the trail from eroding the landscape. The crew spent a day helping our neighbors, the Andrews Farm, just down the road from the West Monitor Barn.

Without the help of these five young fellows, the VYCC’s facility would not have all of these great improvements. Thanks again for your hard work!

39 Conservation and Community Leadership Crews

4042 Conservation and Community Leadership Program

For the past three years the VYCC has been a participating organization in the AmeriCorps National Direct Program. In 2007 the VYCC incorporated projects in Vermont State Parks, direct conservation, and high priority community service to create a comprehensive AmeriCorps experience called the Conservation and Community Leadership (CCL) Program

The CCL program was designed to teach effective leadership, community living, and job skills through active stewardship and service to Vermont’s state parks, lands, and communities. The CCL program was staffed by 24 AmeriCorps Members from around the United States who showed a strong interest in furthering their knowledge about the environment, service, and community living.

CCL Members arrived in Vermont in mid-May for an intensive two-day orientation at the West Monitor Barn. They were dispatched into five different Vermont State Parks to spend their summer under the guidance of their leaders to learn the skills necessary to fully manage a park. Through the long summer season Members managed the ground and facilities, handled customer requests, and conducted educational activities for the public while also participating in leadership development workshops that ranged in scope from personal development to environmental education.

Upon the close of the summer season CCL Members transitioned onto a Fall CCL Crew to work on high priority conservation projects. CCL crews worked on 11 sites around the state and one public awareness project that would have them covering the entire state posting educational materials at pond and lake access points.

When the weather turned cold in Vermont the CCL Members headed indoors for the third component of the program. During November and December the Members lived at Goddard College while working on high-need community service projects with the Vermont Food Bank in Barre and Recycle North in Burlington. Concurrently CCL Members participated in a series of workshops examining the dual relationships between conservation and society; and their conservation experience and their future lives.

The final step of the CCL program is for Members take their experiences in the program to their home communities to complete service work on a project that has significant meaning to them. Through-out their long experience CCL Members will have met and overcome challenges both physical and mental, both at work and in their community lives, and will have contributed over 40,000 hours of work to Vermont and the environment.

Thank you CCL Members for all your hard work and stamina! Leaders and Assistants Josh Carter Kendra Stedman Dana Bishop Scott Renker Jacob Biron Jodi Anderson Rick Heine Carl Ciarcia Ken Brown Members Shawn Ayotte Paul D’Angolo Matthew Bartlett Jessyca Barker Drew Benoit Charity Skinner Kristen Burg Dary Patten Jennifer McMillon Jamie Heinchon Sia Vissering Kristina Kaminski Jon Leibowitz Eli Davis Jessie Upton 41 Katrina Disaster Relief Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Katrina Disaster Relief Crew was made up of CCL members who traveled to Pearlington, MS, to help aid repairing damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Total Hours Worked: 600+

Crew Weeks: 2.5

Work Project Sponsors: Crew Leader Jesse Rogers, Heather Haymond, Jacob Custer, Crew Leader Scott Renker, David Silverman, Tara Corps Network, AmeriCorps, Gulf Coast Recovery Kiersted, Anna Wagner. Corps

The crew was staffed by: Heather, David, Jacob, Tara, Anna, Jesse, and Scott and stationed at the Pearlington Recovery Center, Pearlington, Mississippi (also known as Pearl Mart).

As we piled into the van at 5:00 am on a cold, dark winter day in Vermont we had little idea what was in store for us. Scott singing and dancing in the foyer, the windshield wipers breaking in New York, Scott yelling out every state as we crossed the border (how much coffee did he have?), the driver always wanting to know what movie was being shown in the back and trying to find a restaurant that everyone could agree on.

After arriving in Mississippi we went straight to work on a home placing insulation and reusing a deck, which was salvaged from another home. The crew accomplished a lot of much needed work in the Gulf Coast region. Here are a few of the highlights: Constructing Eddie Bee Lee’s home (rebuilt to accommodate a wheel chair bound individual), deconstructing four homes to be rebuilt, constructing 200 bunk beds for incoming volunteers, and learning to operate the forklifts.

The Gulf coast region is a world away from Vermont and so were some of our experiences. Here are a few of the more memorable ones: witnessing the family version of Mardi Gras in Mississippi, visiting caves in Tennessee, the Waffle House, Jim and Zeke our cooks at camp (jambalaya and firecrackers), the van breaking down again (the green van does not like Mississippi) and southern vegetarian lunch options at the church (with or without bacon).

This project was an example of a few people seeing a need and choosing to make a change. The idea came from the crew, was researched and developed by the crew and funded by the crew (with a little help from our donors). Thank you to all who have put in the time to make our trip and the future relief trips successful!

42 Allis State Park Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Allis State Park Crew conducted daily park operations including: customer service, contact station operations, groundskeeping and visitor programming.

Total Hours Worked: 2,880+ and Special Projects

Crew Weeks: 18

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Jaime Heinchon, Kristina Kaminski, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Christopher Smith. Front Row: Crew Leader Jodi Anderson, Ryan Anderson. Not Pictured: Dale Dezan. Recreation, AmeriCorps

Carpe Diem!

On top of Bear Mountain, in the middle of “nowhere”, sits beautiful Allis State Park (Brookfield, VT). The park is known for its peace and quiet, which left plenty of time for the crew members to complete many different projects. And what a crew it was! The Allis State Park crew included Crew Leader Jodi Anderson, Americorps CCL Members Jamie Heinchon and Kristina Kaminski, and Corps Members Dale Dezan, Chris Smith, and Ryan Anderson.

The crew dove headfirst into park improvement projects. We spent many hours uncovering and beautifying our stone walkways, re-painting our CCC shelter and planting a new wildflower garden. Each day we would think of another project to tackle. One day in late August, Kristina mentioned re-painting a lean-to and within a few minutes we had the scrapers in hand!

Although everyone worked on all of the projects, each member had his or her personal favorite. Jamie was dedicated to painting the shelter and there were mornings he was painting before anyone else was even awake. He was quickly deemed the “work horse” of the bunch. Kristina liked mowing and would quite frequently refer to the John Deere as her boyfriend. She also cared for the walkways in the same way a mother would care for her child. Chris and Ryan loved stump removal. To them, there was nothing better than using axes and grunting like cavemen.

There was never a dull moment at Allis, since each crew member was absolutely hilarious. The laughter was never ending. Work wasn’t just work, it was fun. There was 4 square, soccer, baking, grilling, ab workouts, frisbee, singing and even some yoga. Oh yes, and we can’t forget WoRD. We busted our tails this summer and had a phenomenal time doing so. One comment card put it the best, “The young people that work here are great. Friendly and competent!” Of course we are, we’re VYCC! Long live the Allis State Park Crew of 2007!

43 Elmore State Park Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Elmore Lake State Park Crew conducted daily park operations including: customer service, contact station operations, groundskeeping and visitor programming.

Total Hours Worked: 4,800+ and Special Projects

Crew Weeks: 23

Back Row: Crew Leader Dana Bishop, Assistant Crew Work Project Sponsors: Leader Rick Heine, Shawn Ayotte, Matthew Barlett, Sia Vissering, Crew Leader Josh Carter, Jennifer McMillon, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Assistant Crew Leader Jacob Biron. Front Row: Jonathan Leibowitz, Kristen Burg, Drew Benoit. Recreation, AmeriCorps

Embarking on what would become a most memorable journey, eleven AmeriCorps volunteers coming from all the corners of the United States and Vermont’s local neighborhoods gathered to create the VYCC Community Conservation & Leadership (CCL) crew at Elmore State Park. For five months, they spent their time living, playing and working as a community at Elmore.

With State support from Vermont Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) the strong crew of eleven completed an interpretive photo gallery exhibiting Elmore’s flora, fauna and wildlife located in the park’s Nature Center. Also located in the Nature Center is a detailed history book of Elmore State Park. Composed of photos, facts, and interviews the book engages readers with local history and the park’s connection to the nation-wide organization, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Campers have received the benefits of freshly-painted and repaired fences along Beach Road and picnic tables throughout the park as well as freshly painted crosswalks on Beach road, signs to direct campers and hikers around the park, and a mural in the boathouse. Other projects the crew completed include a new information kiosk backdrop mural and a weather center. Energetic campfires for kids and their families happened every Saturday night with games, interactive songs, jokes, riddles, and skits. Landscape projects such as pruning, mulching, and flourishing flower beds around the park were completed by the crew, along with freshly painted bathroom walls with new air refresher and wall decor.

When the crew wasn’t working hard to maintain and improve the park, one could often find the volunteers eating dinner fresh from the garden, late-night kayaking, sleeping on the beach, or keeping up with tornado warnings.

As the season comes to an end, the Elmore crew of 2007 will move on and remember these short months as an intensely challenging time producing great personal and professional growth. In reflection, these volunteers achieved the goals they set out to accomplish and learned much more along the way.

44 Lowell Lake State Park Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Lowell Lake State Park Crew conducted daily park operations including: customer service, contact station operations, groundskeeping and visitor programming. They also assisted with the operation of Jamaica State Park.

Total Hours Worked: 2,400+ and Special Projects

Crew Weeks: 23

Work Project Sponsors: Jessyca Barker. Below (Left to Right): Dary Patten, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Charity Skinner and Eli Davis. Not Pictured: Crew Leader AmeriCorps Scott Renker.

The season started off with a 10-mile hike through Jamaica State Park and a scavenger hunt at Lowell Lake State Park. We learned that this summer we would have to staff 2 state parks, provide nature programming, sustain 3 state forests and maintain over 200 miles of trail. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the challenge was the reason we signed up.

Throughout the season we worked to keep the parks running smooth. A backed-up septic system on Memorial Day weekend, no problem, two park trucks in the shop at the same time, no problem, high winds, hail, drought and black flies, no problem, a rooster that crows all night, no problem…” we’re out of coffee”… now that’s a problem!

Later in the season we had the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects in Region 1. Three weeks were spent with VYCC Roving Crew 11 on Mt. Ascutney and Okemo, assisting Rick White on the trails, building bridges over wet areas, volunteering at the Mt Ascutney bicycle race and participating in the Fall Water Release of the Ball Mountain Dam.

This summer wasn’t all about work. We played cards as often as possible, hiked and paddled our way around Lowell Lake, made bread, and took many pictures. All in all this summer helped us grow in ways we didn’t know we could.

A huge thank you goes out to all the staff at Jamaica State Park, VYCC Headquarters, VT Dept. of Forest, Parks and Recreation, Gifford Woods, Region 1 maintenance staff, and the birdman.

45 North Hero State Park Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The North Hero State Park Crew conducted daily park operations including: customer service, contact station operations, groundskeeping and visitor programming.

Total Hours Worked: 3,360+ and Special Projects

Crew Weeks: 18

Work Project Sponsors: Back Row: Crew Leaders Kendra Stedman and Kenneth Brown. Front Row: Jessie Upton, Kristen Paradee, Joshua Mashtare, Paul D’Agnolo. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, AmeriCorps

Prior to starting our park season at North Hero we heard many rumors about mosquitoes big enough to carry away small dogs . . . we have learned these warnings were accurate. Just some of the comments from campers: “Ocean of Mosquitoes”, “What are you running, a mosquito plantation?”, “If you could get rid of the mosquitoes and other biting insects you would have paradise!”

But we found our paradise (and a lot of bug spray!) in North Hero. We started our summer off with a leisurely canoe ride in Lake Champlain – we didn’t realize that would be the only relaxing part of the summer – and since then we have worked.

Just some of the highlights and accomplishments of the summer were: nature trail brochure and markers, built an arbor and lots of fence, scraped and painted an ice house, garage and lean to’s, released 60 map turtles, armored the beach from invaders, rescued campers from garter snakes and unknown skeletal remains, removed lots of fish carcasses, found lost children, pulled VW van, Gem car, and John Deere out of a ditch, learned to cut trees, how to identify poison ivy, experienced Ken’s great carpentry skills with the bike shack that blew over, planted lots of flowers, LOTS of bread making, great customer comments, laughed at Larry’s muskrat story, got Frisbee lessons, bathrooms – check, great turnouts to visitor programs and our crazy campfires with baby shark and the ugliest man, Sunday game time, odd ascents, birds as our neighbors – that one’s not dead it’s just chillin’, frog dodging, wildlife, and of course our locals: Marylou, Dave & Angus and their harmonica duos and puppet show. Special thanks to Tom Cady for amazing wild edibles, Vic and Dee our park hosts to whom all the flower gardens should be dedicated, Jim Beard for his amazing stories, and to Keegan for helping when we couldn’t remember it was just a park.

P.S. In the end it was all worth it! 46 CCL Fall Crew 1

We have been working through mud, maps, garbage, trees, and piles of rock in hopes that we can all still eat our fish and all still enjoy a good swim. We have been run off the road by flat bed trucks, slept in fields, and rural estates. We made friends with locals and made Thai food with them. We have had the chance to work with the Agency of Natural Resources (Can’t thank you enough Ethan, Annsumi, and Uma. We wish you the very best). The Nature Conservancy, thanks to Paul and Marie, and Hillary for the education – hope the bun is leavening nicely. The town of Lincoln (thanks much to Chris for the help with the accommodations and the hats. Thanks to Bill, Bob, and Kevin for their help). Thanks to Linda Boudette, the Better Back Roads Technician, for setting us up for the past 3 weeks – and for the donuts! Back Row: Crew Leader Kendra Stedman, Thank you to the crew for taking a few tons of trash out of our streams, for Jamie Heinchon, Kristen Kaminski, Paul monitoring and maintaining phosphorus levels, for sleeping through the first D’Agnolo, Crew Leader Carl Ciarcia. frost, for keeping the Volvo from flipping, for keeping the coffee strong, for Front Row: Jessie Upton, Kristen Burg. testing leaky waders, for plenty of piggy back rides and massages and secret pizza parties! CCL Fall Crew 2

A hardworking mixture of AmeriCorps National Direct Members that spent the summer running all aspects of Elmore and Jamaica/Lowell State Parks went from park staff to professional check dam builders over their three week roving session. In total this crew of 8 people constructed 12 check dams for erosion control projects in Williston and Barre. These check dams consisted of 8”x 8”x12’ hemlock timbers that were cut to 6 or 8 feet lengths with cross-cut saws, dump trucks full of rock that were distributed to the dams with wheelbarrows and 5 gallon buckets, and plenty of sweat. Under the sponsorship of Jim Ryan of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (and after having time to build several more check dams than the sponsors thought was physically possible), this crew planted over 100 trees and Dogwood shrubs in the North Branch River Park in Montpelier, Back Row: Crew Leaders Josh Carter and also took upon the task of river clean-up in Barre. They spent hours in the and Dana Bishop, Sia Vissering, Jessyca cold November weather with leaky waders removing the unimaginable with Barker, Charity Skinner. Front Row: the help of Mr. Ryan. Shawn Ayotte, Drew Benoit, Jennifer McMillon. After working in Montpelier and Barre, this crew spent a week in Morrisville planting trees, maintaining retention ponds and stone-lined waterways, and installing a walkway on a new trail. Project sponsor Jim Pease of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation also had this crew GPS and inventory storm drains throughout the village of Morrisville. Sporting orange vests and green umbrellas, they processed over 200 drains in two days. A job well done.

Due to typical late fall weather conditions, home for this crew was Elmore State Park, the second floor of theWest Monitor Barn, and Goddard College. Free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream (found in the VYCC headquarters kitchen freezer) kept this crew fueled for the short time spent saving watersheds and backyards from erosion and pollution. This crew successfully defeated all odds and expectations and had a good roving experience, including fun poses by Josh Carter inspecting catch basins.

Thank you to all the project sponsors for the Fall Crews: Dept. of Environmental Conservation - Water Quality Division, Agency of Natural Resources Clean and Clear Program, Better Backroads Program, Natural Resources Board 47 Leadership Crews

4850 CCL Spring Leadership Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Spring CCL Leadership Crew worked at Rugg Brook planting livestakes and laying brushroll. On the Wolcott River Restoration project they constructed and installed willow waddles and livestakes.

Total Hours Worked: 910

Crew Weeks: 4 Work Project Sponsors:

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, AmeriCorps, Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation District, United States Fish and Wildlife Department, Agency of Natural Resources Clean and Ken Brown, Rick Heine, Kendra Stedman, Jacob Biron, Josh Carter, Dana Bishop. Not pictured: Scott Renker. Clear Program

On a cold day in the early part of April, the five Leaders and two Assistant Leaders of the CCL program gathered for what would be their first VYCC work experience. They embarked on a one-month adventure of sun, snow, rain, and everything in between and completed 120% of the work planned for their crew.

Over the course of the month Dana, Kendra, Jake, Josh, Ken, Rick, and Scott would work in St. Albans, Elmore, Wolcott, Morrisville, and Hyde Park improving water quality and stabilizing stream and river banks in partnership with the Clean and Clear Initiative. They cut, created, and installed willow waddles and livestakes. They participated in and presented educational workshops among their group to help learn from their shared experiences, they formed a solid team that would lead the CCL program through an amazing program year of challenges and successes.

Members from the group took turns in pairs serving as the crew leaders of the week. Each set of leaders added their own bit of personal flare to the week and in the end made the experience much richer (and full of bunny ears).

In the end the crew created and installed thousands of feet of willow waddles, planted thousands of live stakes, and set themselves up for an extremely successful year of leading the CCL program.

49 Spring Leadership Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Spring Leadership Crew worked on the Gile Mountain Trail Rehabilitation project in Norwich. There they built rock steps, log waterbars, wooden steps, stepstones and check dams.

Total Hours Worked: 560

Crew Weeks: 2

Work Project Sponsors:

Back Row: Glen Stollberger, Laura Reimer, Marc Musgrove. Town of Norwich Trails Committee, Vermont Front Row: Amanda Garland, Technical Skills Coordinator Matt Dragon, Don Niebyl. Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Vermont Rec. Trails Program (FPR)

This spring, the VYCC was able to offer a number of incoming summer leaders the opportunity to get a head start on the season and learn some of the basics of trail building and crew management before hitting the ground with crews of their own. In cooperation with the Norwich Trails Committee and funding help from the Vermont Recreation Trails Fund, this crew of six, led by Technical Skills Coordinator Matthew Dragon, traveled to the town of Norwich, Vermont and completed trail rehabilitation work on a portion of the Gile Mountain Trail.

For two weeks the crew worked on a section of trail that was in need of some major tender loving care. Many of the drainages structures had failed and people had begun taking alternate paths around seasonally wet spots, causing not only braiding but also widening of the trail. The challenge for the crew was to repair the failed drainage structures and work to create new ones where necessary. Using a good amount of native stone as well as non-native timber, the crew constructed a number of waterbars, check steps, and drainage dips in an effort to get water off the trail. They also used trail hardening methods to stabilize walking surfaces. It was not an easy task but the crew gladly rose to the challenge and produced a quality product.

In addition to the rugged work of building trail, the crew held volunteer workshops where local trail enthusiasts were introduced to the principles of trail work. On two separate occasions, volunteers attended and helped to lug gravel, clear trail, and move rocks into place. The help was much appreciated. It was a great way for the crew to connect with the local community and for community members to show support for the work that the VYCC was doing.

Special thanks go out to Peter Griggs who graciously offered his home and land to the crew for camping purposes. Also to Jonathan Frishtick for all the hard work and sweat that went into getting this trail project off the ground.

50 Fall Leadership Crew Crew Accomplishments:

The Fall Leadership Crew returned to Killington to continue working on the trail re-route at Thundering Falls. The crew continued to cut 123 feet of new trail as well as build a 16 foot retaining wall, 8 rock steps and 4 drainage dips. The crew added on 13.5 additional feet to the existing boardwalk.

Total Hours Worked: 632

Crew Weeks: 2 Work Project Sponsors:

Green Mountain National Forest, Appalachian Trail Eliza Kenigsberg, Jessica Rubin, Bobbie Traverso-Estes. Club, Green Mountain Club Not Pictured: Carl Ciarcia, Andrew Moss, Lucas Somers, Jessi Rudolph, Technical Skills Coordinator Matt Dragon.

Under the leadership of Technical Skills Coordinator Matt Dragon, seven Crew Leaders wrapped up their summer season working together as a crew on the Appalachian Trail in Killington. Continuing work that has been completed over the last three summers at Thundering Falls were Carl Ciarcia, Eliza Kenigsberg, Andrew Moss, Jessica Rubin, Lucas Somers, Jessi Rudolph and Bobbie Traverso-Estes.

This project, in partnership with the Green Mountain Club and the United States Forest Service, consisted of trail relocation and building wheelchair accessibly to Thundering Falls. Thundering Falls, located just off the Appalachian/Long Trail, is the second largest waterfall in the state and the new trail will provide universal access to a spectacular view point. This is the first and only accessible portion of the trail in Vermont. With funding through the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and support from the Green Mountain Club the final pieces of the project are being completed.

The VYCC constructed trail will re-route hikers off the road and onto the new trail which winds through the forest to the base of the falls. The trail then winds past a timber switch-back and retaining wall to a boardwalk which will take hikers over the Ottauqechee River and flood plain.

Special thanks to Josh Ryan, of Timber and Stone LLC. Josh provided technical guidance, on the ground support, and administered a customized leadership curriculum for the crew while they worked on the project for two weeks.

51 Education and Project Partners

The VYCC partners with agencies, non-profits, schools, and organizations with complementary missions to reach into diverse communities and complete work on a wide range of projects while employing youth from various demographics across Vermont. Partnerships create financial and programmatic opportunities to maximize opportunities for youth.

The VYCC is proud to partner with the following organizations, which is just a sampling of the many we have worked with since 1985:

Agency of Natural Resources Clean Missisquoi River Basin Association University of Vermont and Clear Program Montpelier High School Upper Valley Trails Alliance American Red Cross Montpelier Parks US Environmental Protection Agency AmeriCorps Moosalamoo Association US Fish and Wildlife Service Appalachian Trail Club Mount Mansfield Union High School US Forest Service Better Back Roads Program National Park Service UVM Extension Burlington Dept. of Parks and Natural Resources Board UVM Jericho Research Forest Recreation Natural Resources Conservation VT Agency of Natural Resources Camp Dream Service VT Agency of Transportation Center for Technology - Essex Nature Conservancy VT Assoc. for the Blind and Visually City of South Burlington Northern Vermont Resource Impaired City of Vergennes Conservation & Development VT Assoc. of Business Corps Network Area VT ATV Sportsman’s Association Cross Vermont Trail Association Norwich Land Management Council VT DEC Water Quality Division Friends of the West River Trail Public Land Corps VT Dept. of Environmental Green Mountain Club ReCycle North Conservation Green Mountain National Forest Retreat Healthcare VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Gulf Coast Roecovery Corps Revitalizing Waterbury Recreation Hinesburg Trails Committee Richmond Land Trust VT Dept. of Labor Huntington Conservation Commission Rochester Ranger District - GMNF VT Div. for the Blind and Visually Intervale Center, Inc. Rutland Recreation and Parks Dept. Impaired Jericho Cemetery Association Smokey House Center VT Fish and Wildlife Dept. Lamoille County Natural Resource Town of Benson VT Food Bank Conservation District Town of Essex VT Natural Resources Board Lamoille North Supervisory Union Town of Lincoln VT Rec. Trails Program (FPR) Lee River Program Town of Marshfield VT State Parks Linking Learning to Life Town of Milton VT Student Assistance Corp. Mad River Path Association Town of Norwich Trails Committee Windham Foundation Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Town of Richmond Winooski Natural Resources Historical Park Town of Stowe Conservation District Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge U-32 High School

In addition to our project partners, the gifts of over 1,000 foundations, local businesses and generous individuals raised over $460,000 in 2007 to support the VYCC’s annual budget of $1,902,933*.

With contributions big and small, the extraordinary support of our friends enables each of the youth that participate in the Field Season to return to their everyday lives with a better understanding of the importance of education, teamwork, and personal responsibility, and the knowledge that they have participated in the stewardship of Vermont’s landscape.

*Each one of our donors who made a gift to support the VYCC during fiscal year 2007 (between January 1 and December 31, 2007) will be listed in our 2007 Annual Report. This report will also contain detailed financial information regarding funding revenues and expenses.

52 Partnerships

53 News from HQ - Thank You Polly Tobin Goddard Associate Director

Originally from Connecticut, Polly relocated to the Green Mountain State in the fall of 2003 to become the VYCC’s Director of Field Programs. With a degree in Recreation Administration and Leisure Services Management, as well as experience teaching at a variety of residential schools and camps, Polly brought a rich background in outdoor and experiential education. Hitting the ground running, Polly quickly filled some big shoes, and successfully oversaw three amazing field seasons at the VYCC. Under her watch, the VYCC experienced a major transition as we moved from our offices in Waterbury to our new Leadership, Education and Training Center in Richmond. Polly played a major role in reconfiguring our systems, programs, and overall organizational structure, and ushered in an era that brought superior trainings, improved staff retention, leadership retreats, alumni gatherings, and bigger and better year-round programs.

In the fall of 2006, Polly transitioned to the position of Communications Director where she published our 2006 Yearbook, helped redesign our two websites, updated and reorganized our organizational database, and laid the foundation for VYCC’s facility rental operations. In December 2006, Polly led a Disaster Relief crew to help repair damage from Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf region. And, to top it all off, she coordinated the 2nd Annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser, which was a fantastic party and fundraiser to celebrate the successful completion of the West Monitor Barn campaign.

After four years with the VYCC, Polly departs the VYCC as Associate Director and leaves her mark on nearly every aspect of what the VYCC does. We wish her all the best in her new endeavors and truly appreciate all she has contributed to the VYCC. Thank you!

Lisa Scott Hallo Year Round Program Director

Lisa Scott, newly changed to Lisa Hallo, started her tenure at the VYCC in 2001 as the Northern Parks Coordinator. After working for two years hiring, training, and supervising field staff, she returned to school full-time to pursue her Masters degree in Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire. With a year of school under her belt, Lisa returned to Vermont to pioneer our new AmeriCorps National Direct program while completing her graduate degree.

As AmeriCorps Program Manager, Lisa led the VYCC into new territory and was a pivotal player in expanding our programs. Under her watch, not only did the VYCC begin year-round programming, we also began serving communities outside of Vermont. Since 2005, the VYCC has sent five Disaster Relief crews to help repair damage from Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf region. Always up for a new challenge, Lisa also lead the charge on our new School Program, which provides experiential educational programs for high school students that focus on agriculture and natural resources.

Six years after her first position, Lisa will depart the VYCC as the Year- Round Programs Director, having provided leadership and guidance for headquarters staff focused on our Conservation and Community Leadership (CCL) Program and School Program. Her keen ability to lead and her dynamic and creative ability to solve problems will certainly be missed. Lisa has truly been an invaluable asset to the organization, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Thank you Lisa, and we know you’ll go on to do great things. Good luck! 54 News from HQ - Thank You Heather Nielsen Education and Training Manager

Over the past seven years Heather has poured her heart and soul into the organization, contributed immeasurably to the Field Program, and made a significant positive impact to the work culture in the Headquarters Office. Heather was a three time returning Crew Leader for theVYCC, served as the first VYCC Education and Training Americorps VISTA , was a Program Coordinator for two subsequent years, and most recently held the role of VYCC’s Education and Training Manager.

Heather left her mark on the organization in many ways. A few of Heather’s many accomplishments include, revisions of the 7th and 8th editions of the WoRD Book, lead trainer and planner of four Staff Trainings, supervision for over 15 trail crews, and lead advisor and facilitator for VYCC’s Leadership Retreats.

Heather’s leadership consistently shone through in every facet of her work. Heather strove to continually enhance the Crew Leader and Corps Member experience throughout her tenure. She mastered the role of mentor and built countless relationships with VYCC Headquarters Staff, Leaders, and participants that will have life-long positive impacts. Her positive energy, creative flair, passion for working with young people, and determination to “do what is right” has left a mark on the VYCC that will never fade. Heather has touched hundreds of lives and furthered the delivery of the organization’s mission through her various roles and responsibilities over the years. She has a keen ability to positively impact the people and world around her and will continue her work with young people through environmentalism, theater, spiritual development for youth, and social justice initiatives. Best of luck Heather! We’ll miss you. Matthew Dragon Technical Skills Coordinator

Matt joined the VYCC as the Technical Skills AmeriCorps VISTA in the spring of 2006. He led two Wilderness Crews that summer and joined the headquarters staff to develop the Technical Skills Program (TSP). During that time Matt led workshops for the public that focused on teaching the proper ways to handle and maintain traditional tools. He led the first Center for Technology-Essex crew in the spring and continued on to lead the Richmond-CTE Community Crew during the summer. Matt also worked with the Spring and Fall WRC Leadership Crews offering guidance and technical training. He developed strong relationships with community members including a local blacksmith and working farmers which directly helped our school programs. He leaves behind the groundwork for the Technical Skills Program as well as an enthusiasm for tools that will be missed. Good luck Matt! John Paul “JP” Grogan Youth Development Manager

John Paul Grogan (known to many as “JP”) joined VYCC in 2005 as the Park Manager at Silver Lake State Park and drew on his many previous crew experiences with other organizations to successfully lead his team of AmeriCorps Members and staff. Recognizing his wide array of skills inspired the Headquarters Staff to recruit JP to become the AmeriCorps Alumni Relations VISTA where he demonstrated his professional abilities and was hired to become the Youth Development Coordinator recruiting and hiring Corps Members for VYCC’s summer programs.

JP then became the Year-Round Program Manager during which he worked closely with the Agriculture and Natural Resources staff to develop the new program. He also worked with the Conservation and Community Leadership Program staff and employed his experience as a Park Manager to help train the new Park Managers and launch the 2007 10-month program.

In mid-August, JP moved on from VYCC to attend graduate school at the University of Vermont in Burlington where he is studying counseling. While attending UVM, he is continuing his work with youth as the Volunteer Coordinator with long-time VYCC partner, ReCycle North in Burlington.

Throughout his many positions with VYCC, JP brought a great sense of professionalism, humor, and southern charm to the office and he will certainly be missed as part of the HQ team! But we are pleased that JP will be just around the corner in Burlington and as part of the VYCC family, we know we’ll see him often! Best of luck to you JP! 55 News from HQ - Thank You Sara Armstrong Agriculture and Natural Resources Instructor AmeriCorps VISTA

Sara Armstrong joined the VYCC as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2006 as one of the very first Instructors in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship. With a spunky spirit, a passion for agriculture, and a deep commitment to Vermont communities, Sara jumped right into her new position with a crew of 6 Interns. Throughout her year based at Lamoille Union High School, Sara forged strong bonds between her crew and the community. By completing projects with foresters, loggers, farmers, and neighbors her Interns grew “exponentially” as students and as individuals. We wish you the best of luck, Sara, with your next steps, and we thank you for your commitment and contributions that you made to this new program over the past year.

Jennifer Trombley Program Development Assistant

Jen Trombley, originally from Bellows Falls, Vermont, began working for the VYCC in 2006 as a Community Crew Leader. After the 2006 season Jen transitioned to a role at HQ as a Program Development Assistant spending the fall supervising Disaster Recovery Crews and helping with management of fall and winter crew projects our AmeriCorps Program. During the winter and spring, Jen assisted with the design and implementation of the VYCC Conservation and Community Leadership Program, including assisting with hiring and training staff. In the summer of 2007, Jen headed back into the field leading the Burlington Community Crew through a successful season. We will miss Jen’s contagious laughter and energy around the office and wish her luck in pursuing her nursing degree. Good Luck Jen!

News from HQ - Welcome

Kathleen “Kat” Coons Field Assistant

Kat Coons, originally from Maine, joined the VYCC in January as a Field Assistant for the Summer Program. Kat started out as a VYCC Corps Member in 2001 and, after leading crews for the Steamboat Springs Community Youth Corps in Colorado and the Northwest Youth Corps in Eugene, Oregon, returned to the VYCC in 2006 to lead the Montpelier Community Crew and a Wilderness Crew. Kat has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. She has worked as a Science Teacher with Mount Mansfield Winter Academy and Outdoor Education with YMCA Camps Chingachgook and Widjiwagan. Kat has also worked for the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center as both an Environmental Education Intern and Ecology Field Crew Intern. In her current role at the VYCC she uses her extensive leadership experience to train, support, and supervise Crew Leaders as they work on conservation projects throughout the state. Kat’s passion for education makes her an excellent fit for strengthening VYCC’s initiatives with Community Crews. She will guide our collaboration with the School to Earth Program in Montpelier and help build sustainability initiatives in other communities. Welcome Kat!

56 News from HQ - Welcome Harry Frank Leadership and Education Director

The VYCC is proud to welcome Harry Frank as our new Leadership and Education Director. Harry began contributing to the VYCC in the fall of 2006 as an internal consultant to facilitate our Strategic Planning initiative. Since then Harry has had a hand in almost everything we do at the VYCC, bringing a wealth of experience, perspective, and a great sense of humor to the table. Starting in the winter of 2007, he has managed the Agriculture and Natural Resource Internship Program, and has recently transitioned into his current role where he provides leadership and education guidance to all VYCC programs. Harry has collaborated with others on the design and delivery of our first ever Youth Leadership Development Retreat, new and improved Crew Leader Training workshops, and our Corps Member Orientations. Harry has a Masters Degree in Education from Saint Michaels College. Over the past twenty years he has been a classroom teacher, vocational counselor, and school administrator. He also ran crews for the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Montana, and helped SCA start the New Hampshire Conservation Corps as the Education Director. Harry continues to work as the Community Organizer for the Vermont Children’s Forum, now Voices for Vermont’s Children, which focuses on youth issues, and he is the Managing Director for Camp Exclamation Point, Inc. Harry lives in Huntington, VT with his wife Enid Wonnacott and their two children Lila and Eli, and their three dogs, two horses, four sheep, five rabbits, six chickens and three ducks. We are thrilled to have Harry has part of our team. Welcome, Harry!

J. Bradley Materick Land Stewardship Specialist

J. Bradley Materick comes to us with an academic background in Natural History and Environmental Science from Stanford University and the University of Vermont’s Field Naturalist Program. He worked as an Instructor for the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School for five years and has led wilderness backpacking, rafting, climbing, and mountaineering trips across the country. In 2004, Bradley walked 800 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with his adopted dog and used the trip to raise money for shelter animals. In 2007, Bradley worked as a Community Crew Leader and was then hired as the VYCC’s Land Stewardship Specialist. In his new role, Bradley focuses on determining how we can steward our 232 acres of land in a sustainable way and in support of our educational mission. We’re glad to have you join our staff!

Matthew Nicholson LEAP AmeriCorps VISTA

Matthew Nicholson joined the VYCC this year as the Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP) A*VISTA. In this role, Matthew will continue the development of the LEAP program for youth who are blind or visually impaired and work to develop the first LEAP Inclusive Crew, where youth with visual impairments and sighted youth will work side by side on high priority conservation projects. In addition, Matthew will work in the Youth Development department where he will focus his efforts on Field Staff and Corps Member outreach. Matthew is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and recently arrived in Vermont after spending two years in Seattle, Washington. The experience of living in the Pacific Northwest has expanded his appreciation for nature and has developed a growing passion to make that experience available to others. Matthew brings a diverse history of customer service and entrepreneurial experience to his new role as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the VYCC. Welcome aboard Matthew!

57 Alumni Updates

Mary McQuiggan 2006 – Roving 5, Roving 11 2004 – Wilderness 2 2003 – Wilderness 3, Wilderness 5 2002 – Roving 2, Wilderness 5

Mary spent her 2007 summer in Boston developing a youth curriculum for the Urban Ecology Institute and leading four crews in greenspace development and tree planting. Her sister, Rosie, joined VYCC as a Corps Member on Roving 13.

Bobbie Traverso-Estes 2007 – Roving 6, Roving 13 2003 – Wilderness 5

Bobbie is enrolled in a three month internship in Kenya with The Foundation for Sustainable Development. There she has been raising money to fund a business education program for the women of Gazi which make Makuti, a traditional Kenyan roofing material made from dead palm leaves that fall to the ground. Bobbie hopes her internship project will develop the women’s capacity for business management and marketing as they have specifically requested and foster a partnership between the Gazi women and the neighboring women’s group in Munje as they have specifically requested to decrease competition and meet the demand of large orders. She also hopes to make the women’s business sustainable so they can stop selling to middlemen and experience improvement in their living conditions.

Natalie Chester 2005 – Roving 7, Roving 14, Fall Leadership Crew II

Natalie has been working for Adventure Tours in Australia as a tour guide for the past two years. In that position she takes tourists to places of cultural and natural significance like Australia’s many national parks and along the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. She travels all over Australia but is based in Alice Springs and Darwin. She also works as a bus driver for Centre Bush Bus, a bus transport service that takes Indigenous people to and from remote communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia and parts of Western Australia. Natalie is also enrolled in a graduate program studying Habitat Management and just recently was offered a position as a Park Ranger at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. She hopes to go to Canada and work in the provincial parks in 2008 and has promised to visit Vermont if she does.

Sarah Hays Erin Seward Rebecca Francisco 2007 – Roving 1, Roving 8 1998 – Wilderness Groton Forest Crew 2007 – Roving 5, Roving 12 2006 – Montpelier Community Crew 1997 – Lake Willoughby Residential Crew

Sarah, Erin and Rebecca are currently working with the VYCC as School Program Instructors for the 2007-2008 school year.

58 Alumni Program

The VYCC is in the process of forming an Alumni Program for past Corps Members, Crew Leaders and Headquarters Staff. If you have any ideas for the program or would like to serve on the Alumni Program Committee, contact Cara Butterly at [email protected] or (802) 434 - 3969 ext. 144. Visit the alumni webpage: www.vycc.org/alumni.html and check the monthly eNews for the latest updates, events and benefits for VYCC alums.

Save the date! VYCC’s 4th Annual Alumni Rendezvous October 12, 2008

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