Youth Conservation Corps
Who we are
The Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps is a team of individuals, ages 16 and up, who carry out various projects in the County’s Open Space land parcels. They are hired on a seasonal basis – Spring, Summer, Fall – to ensure that the maximum number of citizens are exposed to environmental management practices. The crews are diverse and come from different backgrounds and varied experience.
What we do
The Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps focuses on three main areas of work:
- Trash/Dumping clean-up, debris, brush removal.
- Existing trail maintenance and new trail construction.
- Habitat restoration, which includes pulling invasive species and reforestation.
All training is provided as the work progresses. Our efforts are strong and the results rewarding!
Where we work
The Open Space parcels that the Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps works on are located throughout the county. Currently, the largest parcels are in Monroe Township, East Brunswick, and Old Bridge.
Fall 2013 Crew Members Wanted
- Conservation Corps Crew Member Job Description Coming Soon (Adobe PDF)
Volunteering
Why volunteer?
With today’s busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, taking time out to do things for “free” is often a low priority. Nevertheless, volunteering in your community is not only fun, it also offers many benefits as an exchange for your hard work. Breathing fresh air, exploring nature, meeting new neighbors, getting exercise, learning various skills, and knowing that you have made difference are all positive outcomes of volunteering with the Middlesex County Conservation Corps. Volunteering is an ideal opportunity to be selfless while discovering yourself at the same time.
Volunteering with YCC
In the spring and fall, we offer three main volunteer events to which we invite the community to come help out. Volunteers can also join the crew during regular workdays on Saturdays in the spring and fall, and Monday through Friday during the summer. The dates and times are flexible.
Other volunteer work continues year-round with several different opportunities that may include plant and animal inventories, trail monitoring, invasive plant removal and native plant restoration, trash clean-ups and more. We can also arrange special projects for groups. Past projects have included trail work, tree planting, beach sweeps, and help with conservation and recreation efforts on Earth Day and National Trails Day.
No particular skills are required. However, volunteer candidates should have an interest in and enjoyment of being outdoors.
Volunteering is open to everyone willing get out into nature, get dirty, and get it done!
Volunteer Event (Adobe PDF)
Fall 2013 Volunteer Events Coming Soon
Let’s Begin
Download, fill out, and mail the volunteer application and release form to:
Scott Meyler
Conservation Corps Coordinator
PO Box 661
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Fax (732) 745-4592
Forward questions/comments to:
scott.meyler@co.middlesex.nj.us
(732) 745-3064
Photo Gallery
View current and past pictures of our work in Open Space. |
Tamarack Hollow Preserve in the winter.
The Youth Conservation Corps clears out invasive species and brush.
Volunteers battle the rain to plant trees in Phillips Preserve.
A sandy trail winds its way through the John A. Phillips Preserve pine barrens.
Crew members work on a bird blind in Jamesburg Conservation Area.
A team builds a small bridge.
Conservation Corps members paint trail blazes at John A. Phillips Preserve.
