Last week, you heard about the new home for Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) with Bears Ears Partnership, from Four Corners School of Outdoor Education founder, Janet Ross. Janet’s letter described BEP’s vision of facilitating the pathway of more youth into careers in conservation and public lands management.
Working on CCYC crews provides participants with improved work readiness, employment prospects and economic independence for youth. Throughout the field season, crews are offered webinars and in-person presentations on skills pertaining to career pipelines - particularly those with land management agencies. This model helps participants better understand not only the process and relevant terminology for applying for Forest Service and other public lands management jobs, but also helps improve their writing skills for crafting application materials for any position they aspire for.
Today, we invite you to read an interview with former CCYC crew leader, Josh Sherrock, who has since gone on to work in land management as a park ranger - an example of one of the many career prospects CCYC prepares participants for.
BEP: What was your favorite memory from working with CCYC?
Josh: One of my favorite projects when I was a crew leader was with the BLM Moab near the Westwater River Ranger Station. My crew was tasked with installing about two miles of range fence along the Kokopelli bike trail. We had to cover some difficult terrain but worked really well as a team to get it done. I remember driving back to camp every day past all the work we had completed and feeling a real sense of accomplishment.
BEP: How did your time with CCYC prepare you for your current agency role?
Josh: Working for the Conservation Corps equipped me with many technical skills that translated directly into my career in recreation management. Skills such as fuels reduction work, invasive species removal and treatment, herbicide application, range fence construction, trail work - these are all skills that I honed during my time with the corps.
Along with these hard skills, I learned a lot about leadership and how to manage people. I served as a crew lead for a group of seven corps members, and was in charge of project logistics, time management and day to day operations on a variety of different projects. Some of the most challenging work I ever faced was during my time with CCYC, and I still draw strength from those experiences.
BEP: How can CCYC help actualize and implement co-management on-the-ground in the greater Bears Ears region?
Josh: Historically, CCYC’s mission has been to recruit youth from local underserved communities and Native youth from the Four Corners area. Being situated so close to many Native communities allows CCYC the unique opportunity to recruit youth from these places. I am excited for the future prospects of having a Conservation Corps situated here in San Juan.
BEP: What are you excited about for the future of CCYC with Bears Ears Partnership?
Josh: I am looking forward to the work that CCYC will likely accomplish in Bears Ears Partnership in the future. Due to my experience working with CCYC, I know that there is a lot of important work to happen on the ground.
Are you interested in supporting future CCYC participants, like Josh? Take advantage of our $150,000 matching gift challenge, and make a year-end donation by December 31st to have your impact doubled!
Photos by CCYC/CCDC Staff.