Youth Conservation Corps Helps Build Healthier Nova Scotia

To wrap up a successful summer of helping protect Nova Scotia's environment, 50 young Nova Scotians will partner with Adopt-A-Highway to pick up litter in Bible hill on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The young people are part of Nova Scotia's Youth Conservation Corps. They have been working on environmental projects all summer in communities throughout the province.

"The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps is one of the department's best kept secrets," said Environment Minister Mark Parent. "What started out as a way to employ youth to pick up litter has evolved into a program that helps build a more sustainable Nova Scotia."

This year, youth worked on a variety of projects including air and water quality management, waste management, litter reduction, and environmental education.

Seven youth also participated in the Environmental Leadership Program, designed to give youth the opportunity to enhance their leadership qualitites. It exposes them to community based environmental activities at home and abroad.

This year, participants traveled to Ecuador and lived with host families while working on projects about eco-tourism, reforestation in national parks, and environmental education.

The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps began in 1989. Since then, more than 2,000 students gained knowledge and expertise in environmental management and leadership development.

More information on Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps is available on the Department of Environment website at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/youth .