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Youth conservation group asks Crook County to double grant after a season of hands-on work
Summary
Heart of Oregon Corps reported on its recent youth conservation season, saying county-funded work generated 1,338 project hours and about $20,739 in wages for nine young participants; the group requested the commissioners consider increasing county support from $5,000 to $10,000 for the next season.
Patrick Orr, conservation program manager at Heart of Oregon Corps, briefed Crook County commissioners Dec. 3 on the group's recent youth conservation season and requested increased county support.
Orr said the county provided a $5,000 grant last year to fund crew wages and travel for local youth aged 16 to 24 as part of workforce-development activities across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. "This past season ... we employed nine young people ages 16 to 18," Orr said, reporting the crews completed 1,338 hours of project work, which he said equated to roughly $20,739 in wages—about $4,200 per participant for a full season. He also described a bridge crew of four youths who completed 372 hours and collectively earned about $5,700.
Orr listed typical projects—wildfire fuels reduction, habitat restoration, trail work and facilities maintenance—and highlighted additional non-project program elements such as a college tour and resume-building that he said prepare participants for future careers. He cited post-program survey results, saying 87% of youth felt a stronger connection to public lands, 79% felt better about their future career prospects, and 96% reported a positive experience.
Orr asked commissioners to "consider doubling that up to $10,000" for the upcoming season to broaden project types and reduce reliance on increasingly restricted service agreements. Commissioners thanked him for the report; Unidentified Speaker 1 acknowledged county funds are limited but said the board would "see what we can do."
