Youth Corps Looking for Community Partners

The province wants to go green again this summer and it wants the public's help. The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps is now accepting proposals from groups interested in undertaking community-based environmental service projects.

The youth conservation corps, a program of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, provides an opportunity for young Nova Scotians, between the ages of 17 and 24, to gain environmental work experience and training by working on community projects. It accepts project proposals from community groups, businesses, government agencies, industries, institutions, and environmental organizations. The projects must be carried out from June 30 to August 22.

Proposals should fall under at least one of the following categories: watershed management, waste resource management, pollution prevention, environmental education and interpretation, or climate change.

The youth conservation corps covers 75 per cent of the labour cost of a two-, three-, or four-person crew -- a value up to $6,357.12 -- 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 $2,119.04 -- and any other expenses. Specific project training and supervision are also the responsibilities of the community partners.

All project proposals must be received no later than Feb. 28. Applications are available in regional Environment and Labour offices, by calling 902-424-4924,or on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ess/ycc.