JOB CORPS Students from the Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (JCCCC) took multiple opportunities this month to partner with fellow federal agencies and local community organizations on a variety of conservation projects.
The Anaconda JCCCC is associated with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwest Montana where currently, the combination of profound fall precipitation and heavy winter snowpack is making reservoirs and rivers brim and likely spill over.
Within just a few days of the first two weeks of May, Anaconda JCCCC students filled, tied and stacked nearly 2000 sandbags as part of the reinforcement effort for one such potential blowout. Even when students had free time in their dorms, several of them turned the job into a competition. Anaconda JCCCC Bricklayers and Maintenance crewmembers securely wrapped and loaded the 80 pallets for delivery. Additionally, Center Director, Ray Ryan, put all students on alert to assist local law enforcement with the impending flood situation. “We will do whatever we can to help where and when we are needed.”
Anaconda JCCCC serves over 230 students who eagerly accept the exposure to meaningful work, in diverse environments, involving tasks that allow them to increase their knowledge and skills that they work daily on center to improve.
In mid-May and as one small segment of a much larger multi-faceted project, Anaconda JCCCC Heavy Equipment Operators were using their machinery to prepare the ground for improvements to the local archery range. Bricklayers followed up by installing sidewalks and concrete pads.
On May 20th Ryan, his staff, and all the students graciously hosted their annual Open House to a favorable turnout of community members, where, alongside all the trade areas displaying their equipment and knowledge, the Operators and Bricklayers showed off what they used at the archery range. Culinary Arts students served a delicious lunch, while Student Government Officers and Office Administration students offered non-stop tours and demonstrations.
Most recently, Anaconda JCCCC Welders participated in the annual tree-planting event that the Anaconda Street Tree Project Committee has so successfully directed over the last several years. Students have volunteered in the past to be part of the long-term effort to beautify the boulevards in front of businesses and homes. This year Welders not only planted some of the trees, but over the winter, they fabricated multiple tree guards to be used as an aesthetically-pleasing protection to the young, vulnerable foliage.
Anaconda JCCCC Director, staff and students welcome the chance to significantly impact the greater Anaconda area, while providing quality opportunities to enhance their on-the-job training and abilities.
The USDA Forest Service operates 28 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers across 18 states with a capacity of 6,200 students. For more information, you can visit: http://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/en/home.aspx.
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.