Protecting the Environment Equals a Great Summer Job

Youth looking to protect the environment, earn money and work with a great group of people should check out the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps.

Now in its 11th year, the Department of the Environment's Youth Corps has launched many Nova Scotians in careers like solid waste management and environmental consulting.

The department, along with its community partners, is now hiring close to 60 youth for 22 environmental team projects across Nova Scotia. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 26, with jobs available from July 4 to Sept. 1. To qualify, an applicant must be a resident of Nova Scotia between 17 and 24 years of age.

Youth should enjoy working outdoors, love being a productive part of a team and have an interest in our environment. Young men and women will be hired to work as part of a crew in communities like Yarmouth, Great Village and River Denys.

Projects this year include stream and river restoration, water quality monitoring and pollution prevention. All projects require educating the public.

"From where I'm sitting, it looks like a great summer job," said Michael Baker, acting Minister of the Environment. "These youth are getting fresh air, a good wage and a step up on a future career."

The province is contributing about $90,000 to this year's program, with community and other government partners providing additional funding. The program requires communities to submit proposals for environmental projects to be carried out by youth crews.

This year, projects will take place in Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Clare, Shubenacadie, Halifax Regional Municipality, Mahone Bay, Wolfville, Great Village, Kemptown, Margaree, Pictou, Sydney, Orangedale, River Denys, Joggins, and Amherst.

Heather Paquet is a former youth corps worker who is completing her master's degree in environmental studies. "Joining the youth corps was a turning point in my education. I was proud of what we were accomplishing in my community and I wanted to pursue a career in this growing field."

Application details are available provincewide at Access Nova Scotia centres, Human Resources Development Canada employment centres, university and community college employment centres, and the Youth Conservation Corps website, www.gov.ns.ca/envi/dept/ess/ycc/. Interested applicants can also call 902-424-4924 or 424-2583 for more information.