Youth Conservation Corps Accepting Applications from Community Organizations

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Youth Conservation Corps Accepting Applications from Community Organizations

Community groups in Nova Scotia are being offered a helping hand with environmentally friendly projects for the 16th summer in a row.

The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps is once again looking for project proposals that will help community groups complete environmental projects while providing people between the ages of 17 and 24 with valuable work experience from June 27 through Aug. 26.

Eligible projects can be sponsored by community groups, businesses, government agencies, industries, institutions or environmental organizations. Projects must fall into at least one of six categories: watershed management, waste resource management, pollution prevention, environmental education and interpretation, air quality management or climate change.

"The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps and our community partners provide a great summer work experience for young Nova Scotians," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "Last year youth corps members worked on environmental education projects with Clean Nova Scotia and water quality projects with the L'Ardoise Economic Association of Development."

The youth conservation corps program will pay 75 per cent of the labour cost of a two-, three-, or four-person crew -- a value up to $8,032.50 -- and provides up to $100 towards project expenses and $50 towards mileage per project. It provides administration, recruiting, and payroll services. It also trains workers in emergency first aid, occupational health and safety, workplace hazardous materials information system, and basic environmental issues.

Community partners are required to provide the remaining 25 per cent of the cost of labour -- up to $2,677.50 -- and any other expenses. They are also responsible for specific project training and day-to-day supervision of the student workers.

Additional information is available on the program's website at:
www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ess/ycc/ .

Potential community partners can also telephone 902-424-4924 for additional information.

Project proposals must be received no later than Friday, March 4.