INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels recently announced his intention to continue the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps, a program that has used federal stimulus dollars to employ nearly 1,900 young adults to improve Indiana’s parks, trails and natural habitats, in 2010.
“This program has performed beyond expectations as witnessed by the acres of restored habitats, miles of new trails and renovated structures across our state,” Daniels said. “Programs that target economic distress are exactly what I think Hoosiers expected when the idea of the federal stimulus package was first discussed.”
The original program end date was Sept. 30, but was extended to Oct. 16 by Daniels because of its success. The program began May 1 and utilizes federal stimulus funds designated for employment and training of Hoosiers 16 to 24 years old. The jobs pay $8.50 per hour.
Daniels made the announcement at Charlestown State Park, where he thanked several YHCC participants who held customer service positions and also worked on projects including trail clearing and maintenance, grading gravel roads and parking lots, removal of invasive/exotic plant species and fence construction, among others.
Statewide, YHCC employees worked on 750 projects at more than 75 DNR properties. More than 30 miles of new trails were constructed and more than 500 miles of existing trails were upgraded or rehabilitated. YHCC constructed 15 new buildings and renovated or repaired 380 existing buildings. Program participants also rehabilitated or repaired 50 historic buildings, treated or removed 4,700 acres of invasive species, constructed 31 new parking areas and completed 320 other miscellaneous projects. The work was done at state parks, reservoirs, recreation areas, state forests, nature preserves and state historic sites.
In addition to continuing the program in 2010 at DNR sites, Daniels is considering expansion of YHCC into urban areas across the state.
The state received approximately $24 million in federal stimulus funds through the Workforce Investment Act to be spent over a two-year period to hire workers for the 91-county program (Marion County funding was separate).
Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps projects that have been completed include:
n Morgan-Monroe State Forest — 25 miles of trails have been renovated. Also, a 1930s-era fire tower was painted, fitted with new stairs and landing, and windows and insulation in the property manager’s residence were restored and replaced.
n Yellowwood State Forest — a new roof has been put on a shelter house and a much-needed 3,100-square-foot storage building is nearing completion.
n Clifty Falls State Park — construction of two bridges in the style of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps using trees that had been damaged by Hurricane Ike.
n Brown County State Park — repaired stone on CCC picnic shelter, constructed new roof for nature center, installed new lights along nature center walks, stained exteriors of family cabins, painted interiors of three shower houses.
n Indiana Dunes State Park — transplanted marram grass, fenced off dunes to repair damage from erosion and steer traffic along proper trails. The fencing will help restore a delicate ecosystem and protect rare plants.
n Spring Mill State Park — rehabilitation of buildings in the Pioneer Village.
n Pokagon State Park — constructed a new 500-foot wide, 20-foot long retaining wall on Lake James and other erosion controls using 1,200 tons of glacial rock found on property.
n Prophetstown State Park — restored Oak Ridge Bluff by removing non-native and invasive trees and shrubs to re-establish native plant regeneration and began re-harvesting wildflower and grass seed for prairie establishment.
n Trine State Recreation Area — removed a 1,200-square-foot two story building that was no longer in use.
n Tippecanoe River State Park — application of asphalt sealer on the park office parking lot and trimmed seven miles of park roadsides.
n O’Bannon Woods State Park — constructed a mile-long trail for persons with disabilities and constructed a fully enclosed observation blind for watching birds.
n Knobstone Trail — worked on 58 miles of rugged terrain and dense foliage, cleared overgrowth, removed fallen trees, leveled the trail grade, repaired signs and painted fresh trail markers.
A map of Indiana DNR properties that are a part of the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps program can be found at www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/
DNR_properties.pdf.
on the net
n More information about YHCC is available at: www.in.gov/dnr/yhcc-final.ppt.
n For updated information regarding Indiana’s use of federal stimulus funds, visit: INvest.in.gov.
Valley Life
Daniels plans to extend summer program
- Valley Life
-
-
Turning wrenches: If something’s broken, Joe Preston fixes it
Vintage photos of race cars — of the compact “midget” style — hang on the wall inside Joe Preston’s garage.
-
Birthday: May 27, 2012
Shirley Ann Kaperak of Terre Haute will observe her 80th birthday Monday.
An open house is scheduled 2 to 5 p.m. June 24 in the home of her daughter at 6971 E. Rosehill Ave., in Terre Haute.
-
Valley Life: May 27, 2012
• Terre Haute Children’s Museum to host volunteer orientation session
• DNR promotes child’s right to play outside
• Vigo County teen finalist in state pageant
• Sap-sucking bugs damaging state tree
-
WEDDING: May 27, 2012
• Ummel-McMichael
-
Tried ‘N’ True: Try this crock pot stew for busy days
We are getting busy with outside work, cleaning yards and planting our gardens, picking berries and also hunting mushrooms. I can’t go out anymore. But I hope you all have found a bunch. This recipe is an easy one to fix. Get your slow cookers out and have a great meal when you are tired. Everyone will think you are full of energy.
-
ENGAGEMENTS: May 27, 2012
• Majors-Seneviratne
• Sheppard-York
• Cawley-Archer
-
GRAPE SENSE: The story behind the consistent, easy to appreciate 7 Deadly Zins
The story behind one of the best tasting and most successful value wines has good winemaking, gratitude to terrible sweet wine, and a long family history of fruit production to credit for its success.
-
PAW PRINTS: Don’t take a chance with you pet and heat
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has made recommendations for your pet during the summer heat. Don’t take a chance with your dog or cat. They, too, can suffer from overheating, dehydration, and sunburn.
-
Bridge Column: May 27, 2012
The Bridge Club is happy to welcome Linda and Richard Easton back from Florida.
-
ANNIVERSARIES: May 27, 2012
• Mr. and Mrs. John R. Edwards
• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Cooper
• Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. McMullen
-
The sky’s the limit
Backyard astronomers stare at the night sky, trying to remember how to find the North Star, the Big Dipper and Mars.
-
TRIED ’N’ TRUE: Whip up a rhubarb surprise cake
This recipe comes from Ruth Baker. She sent a lot of rhubarb recipes. I have been putting them in the paper for the last three years. I’ve almost used most of them. Some I have used more than others. Mary Hunter also had this recipe. I have made this a lot. Gene really likes this. I use sweetener and yellow or white sugar-free cake mix. The only sugar I put in this recipe is in the marshmallows. Adjust for this. Our grandkids also enjoy this cake. Thanks to Ruth and Mary.
-
Resource helps with child care search
Hoosier families now have a digital tool to assess child care facilities for quality, safety and other benchmarks, and can take virtual tours of select facilities. Child Care Online is a free Internet search tool designed so consumers can easily and conveniently compare child care programs and can identify a range of high-quality care choices.
-
PAW PRINTS: Heatstroke can harm, kill pets
Spring and summer temperatures in the Midwest often reach into the high 80s and 90s. Some people wouldn’t consider sitting out in the heat until the sun went down.
- GROUPS AND GATHERINGS: May 20, 2012
- ANNIVERSARY: May 20, 2012
- VALLEY DATEBOOK: May 20, 2012
-
Ferguson land gift strikes conservation note
Gov. Mitch Daniels recently accepted what is believed to be one of the largest private land conservation gifts in state history — 1,500 acres of the Ferguson farm near Springville in Lawrence County.
-
Chi Omega chapters raise $7,600 for Make-A-Wish
The Chi Omega chapters at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Indiana State University raised $7,600 for Make-A-Wish, which will help grant the wish of a 6-year-old girl named Sandy.
- WEDDING: May 20, 2012
-
BRIDGE: May 20, 2012
The Terre Haute Bridge Club is fortunate to have a successful Monday Evening Fun Bridge game with at least six tables, and one couple has decided to stretch their game to include other games throughout the week.
-
Vermillion Mega Park open for Memorial Day visitors
In observance of Memorial Day, Vermillion Rise Mega Park, with the assistance of the Vermillion County Sherriff’s Department, will accommodate cemetery visits between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 26 through May 28
- ENGAGEMENTS: May 20, 2012
-
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Oil in your backyard: Track where new wells are planned
The Indiana Division of Oil and Gas well records show there are 72 existing oil wells in Vigo County.
-
Summer Sidewalk Sale set
Marshall Main Street’s Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9.
-
Mother's Day stories: Amazing, Loving, Patient, Faithful, Friend, Brave
It’s merely one word, yet the conjunction of those six letters conjures up so many meanings and feelings. While teaching us both the simple and profound lessons in life, mothers somehow can instill morals and memories. They can guide us on our journey, pick us up when we fall, and let go when we must find our own strength.
-
VALLEY LIFE BRIEFLY: May 13, 2012
Senior Citizens Picnic scheduled at Forest Park
New group offers support to moms
Edgar Extension to host edible centerpiece workshop
Style show features Wabash Valley celebrities
-
PAW PRINTS: Kitten-proof the home before bringing pet home
It’s kitten season at the Terre Haute Humane Society. Come and take a look at all the many colors currently living at the shelter. Fall in love with the adorable babies, and take advantage of the sibling discount and adopt two. Kittens are so much fun. They’re inquisitive, playful and loving.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Rhubarb, strawberries, cherries ready at same time
With rhubarb, strawberries and cherries being about ready at the same time, this recipe is so easy.
-
GRAPE SENSE: Finding a 100 percent Carignan will be worth the effort
It’s a long path from Louisville, Ky., to Saint-Jean-de-Minervois in Southern France. But that’s the journey Brown University graduate John Bojanowski took in transformation from literature major to Languedoc winery owner.
- More Valley Life Headlines
-
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Romney Campaigns Ahead of Claiming Nomination
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
White House: No Military Intervention in Syria
Police Probe Similarities in 2 Disappearances
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Panetta: Asia the 'Project' for New Navy Grads
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Couple doesn’t let tropical storm ruin their big day
Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini
Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal
Evans: Serena in shock
Pregnant Reese Wears LBD
Volcano covers Colombian cities in ash
Meet the Crew and Good Ship 'Prometheus'
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
