6/14/2005
A group of 10 members of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a division of AmeriCorps, completes three weeks of service with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) on Thursday, June 16. The volunteers, who serve 10-month terms on varied projects around the country, spent their time in Louisiana blazing hiking trails, building bird nesting boxes and helping to eradicate invasive plant species on three southeastern area wildlife management areas (WMAs).
LDWF biologist Chris Davis praised the effort that the team displayed on Tunica Hills WMA. "We were told they were hard workers," he said. Not only did they prove that they worked hard, "they were cheerful and energetic and they worked really well with us."
The Chainsaw Gang, a local hiking trail development group consisting mostly of retired persons, and the AmeriCorps group constructed three trails that totaled 9.5 miles on Tunica Hills WMA. The volunteers also constructed signs, benches, a bridge, and an information kiosk at the trailhead.
AmeriCorps member Michael Dunbar, 19, of South Hamilton, Mass. was happy to work with the department. "I love to be outdoors, and this was a great project," he said. An avid outdoorsman, Dunbar was impressed with the variety of habitats in the bayou state. "I really like Louisiana," he said.
Team member Sara Cashman, 23, of Mankato, Minn. said, "[The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries] have been wonderful sponsors. We've had a lot of variety that we don't normally see" including projects on Tunica Hills, Sandy Hollow and Pearl River wildlife management areas.
The AmeriCorps*NCCC has a mission to strengthen communities and develop leaders through national and community service. Members serve in teams to complete a variety of projects in the areas of education, public safety, disaster relief, environmental conservation and other community needs.
For more information, contact Randy Myers at 225/765-2361 or rmyers@wlf.louisiana.gov.
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