Applications Being Accepted From Tribal Youth For College Prep Program

The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) will be administering a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) College Preparation Workshop program for tribal youth beginning in March 2018.

Since 2009, the SWP and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) have worked closely to provide meaningful summer environmental conservation programs for tribal youth. The KBIC Youth Conservation Corps allows teens to gain hands-on experience with real-life environmental conservation and restoration work. Now, with generous support from KBIC the SWP is offering a new program that focuses on college preparation for careers related to natural resource conservation and environmental stewardship.  This new program will be available to for up to 10 KBIC youth (from Baraga and Marquette Counties) who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing conservation work as a career path. Ideally, these teens will be high school students (ages 14-18) from Marquette and Baraga County. The program will be open to any interested KBIC tribal member or descendent youth, including the youth previously enrolled in the Youth Initiative Program with the KBNRD. The program will place more emphasis on the math, science and writing skills necessary for a variety of conservation-related careers but will also include outdoor field trips and hands-on learning events. The deadline to apply is February 15^th.

The YCC Career Preparation Program will meet eight full days (March-June) and include field trips conducting research, monitoring and inventory work related to actual conservation projects plus site visits in cooperation with Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) touring the campus and participating in real laboratory and field analysis work. Students will be outside in all types of weather conditions hiking and snow-shoeing to project sites. College instructors will also meet with participating students to answer questions about the course requirements for various careers. Students will learn how to apply to colleges, how to apply for financial aid, and how to build a resume. Career exploration topics will include but not be limited to; wildlife biologist, fisheries biologist, forester, water quality, native plants, environmental planning and public relations. Students will help design the program and include other environmental career fields they are interested in. There will also be a session dedicated to exploring the Native American Studies Department at NMU which includes a bachelor degree program in Native American Studies, a minor degree in Native American Studies, and a Certification in American Indian Education.

For more information about the KBIC YCC contact the Superior Watershed Partnership at (906) 273-2742 x10 or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KBIC-Youth-Conservation-Corps-Crew-Superior-Watershed-Partnership. Deadline to apply: February 15^th. For more information about the Youth Conservation Corps visit us on the web atwww.superiorwatersheds.org.