Nebraska Youth Conservation Program

About the Nebraska Youth Conservation Program

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The Deadline has Passed. We are no longer taking applications for these positions!

If you are interested and want to apply just visit http://neworks.nebraska.gov and sign up then search for Youth Conservation Program.

• This is a program for at-risk youth to learn life skills as well as be educated about the natural resources of Nebraska.  These youth will be completing projects within our State park system and Wildlife Management Areas.
  
  
• LB549 Passed in May 2011 to create the NE Youth Conservation Program (NYCP), identifying NE Game and Parks as the agency to administer the program. 
  
  

Who are the participants of the program?

• At-risk youth, ages 16-20 across Nebraska.  The youth must meet at least one of four criteria that are outlined in the bill (at risk of dropping out of school, low income, has been impacted directly by substance or physical abuse, or has had negative contact with law enforcement).
  
  

Logistics of Program

There will be 16 crews across Nebraska, each having 10 youth and 2 crew leaders and all will be employees of NE Game and Parks. NOTE: Questions about the application process and technical questions about the online application can be directed to any of the recruitors below

The program locations are:

Omaha
(6 crews -contact recruiter- Peggy Kotschwar at 402-595-3007 or Peggy.Kotschwar@nebraska.gov)

Lincoln
(2 crews - contact recruiter-Troy Larson at 402-471-2438 or troy.larson@nebraska.gov)

Norfolk
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Darlus McWilliams at 402-370-4400 or Darlus.McWilliams@nebraska.gov)

Grand Island
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Liane Philmalee at 308-385-6300 or Liane.Philmalee@nebraska.gov)

Lexington
(1 crew- contact recruiter-Nikole Huber -308-535-8341 or Nikole.Huber@nebraska.gov)

McCook
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Nikole Huber -308-535-8341 or Nikole.Huber@nebraska.gov)

North Platte
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Nikole Huber -308-535-8341 or or Nikole.Huber@nebraska.gov)

Valentine
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Nikole Huber -308-535-8341 or or Nikole.Huber@nebraska.gov)

Ogallala
(1 crew-contact recruiter-Nikole Huber -308-535-8341 or or Nikole.Huber@nebraska.gov)

Scottsbluff
(1 crew - contact recruiter-Mary Hinojosa 308-632-1416 or Mary.Hinojosa@nebraska.gov)

The program will start June 25 and run through August 3, 2012.  Training for crew leaders will be June 18-22nd.

The two crew leaders will have different roles; one will be the facility maintenance leader teaching the youth the skills to complete the projects and one will be the counselor to keep the group working well together.

Transportation will be provided (by van) to the locations identified for work, as will a noon meal and snacks.  Protective wear will also be included for the crews.  Crews will work in all kinds of weather.

A team of park, wildlife and fisheries staff has identified a list of projects that will be completed in park areas and wildlife management areas. 

An educational component will be included at all locations.  This will take place every Thursday from 1 to 4 pm during the program.  Variations can and will occur if an educational project is identified for a day within a week (example, going to a Fish Hatchery and then going fishing). 

Projects will consist of: building picnic shelters, vault toilets, playgrounds, campground electrical projects, shoreline restoration, fishing access, repairs to docks, painting, landscaping, fencing, trash removal, trail development and maintenance, aquatic habitat work and other activities.

Questions about the program can be directed to: Michelle Stryker, Project Lead (402) 471-5425 or emailed to michelle.stryker@nebraska.gov