AUSTIN, TX – October 9, 2009 – This week, the American YouthWorks’ Environmental Corps (E-Corps) will wrap up their latest trail restoration project at Caprock Canyons State Park in Quitaque, TX. Service members with the E-Corps program brought a focus on erosion control to help revitalize and sustain the trails for future state park visitors.
The erosion control project included building water bars, which help to redirect water from the trails, and building rock steps on steeper parts of the trails. Members moved and dry-stacked large pieces of stone and repaired older sections of the stone stairways.
The crew arrived on October 5th and backpacked into the park for the duration of the project, experiencing back-country camping as a change of pace from localized car-camping. The crew will also receive an educational opportunity to learn about ethnobotany and flint mapping from archaeological experts in the park. Members with the E-Corps Caprock Canyons trail restoration project range in age from 19 to 28 and serve as part of the Trails Across Texas crew, funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
About Environmental Corps
Environmental Corps (E-Corps) is a green jobs training program that allows youth and young adults to build and restore the natural environment through parks and trails projects and forestry and habitat restoration throughout the State of Texas and beyond. Its AmeriCorps program integrates young adults from throughout the nation with local youth to create a blended, transformative, cultural experience for all participants. Youth learn cutting-edge environmental jobs skills while pursuing their education and improving their test scores and behavior. E-Corps is a member of The Corps Network and is a nationally-recognized, award-winning program. E-Corps is a frequent recipient of contracts with local, state, national and federal government entities due to its solid reputation in producing quality work, its members’ technical skills and its safety training.
About American Youth Works
American YouthWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to empowering youth through education and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, a GED program, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps and Computer Corps. American YouthWorks also offers onsite social services, including a health care clinic, parent/child development center and counseling. For more than thirty years, American YouthWorks has assisted thousands of local youth in transforming their lives through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.
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CONTACT: Melissa Miller, Communications Director
Phone: (512) 744-1904
mmiller@americanyouthworks.org
www.americanyouthworks.org
