Loyalhanna Watershed Association seeks interns to help with state forest projects

April 30 is the deadline for college students to apply to the Loyalhanna Watershed Association for a spot in the local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) internship program.

YCC interns are needed more than ever this summer, to help the staff at Forbes State Forest keep up with improvements and maintenance tasks, since forest trails and facilities have seen increased use during the covid-19 pandemic.

The watershed group provides the YCC program, now more than 30 years old, in partnership with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and with financial support from the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation. Scheduled for June 14 through Aug. 16, it is ideal for students who are interested in the environment and a related career.

YCC interns will be registered as conservation volunteers, through the state Bureau of Forestry, and may assist at other recreational and natural areas, in addition to the state forest. The program also includes educational outdoor activities.

“With the increased use of public land last year, it’s especially important that we’re able to assist the forestry bureau to get some projects completed,” said Susan Huba, executive director of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association.

Ed Callahan, district forester at the Forbes State Forest office in Laughlintown, said his staff has a backlog of items that need attention after a year when public visitation “increased through the roof. We had a lot of first-time, new users along with our customary visitors.”

Specific numbers weren’t available for Forbes State Forest, but state forester Ellen Shultzabarger noted state forests overall saw a nearly 30% increase in camping from 2019 to 2020.

Items on Callahan’s to-do list at Forbes include installing an interpretive kiosk at the head of the trail to the popular Beam Rocks overlook on Laurel Mountain and reconstructing a failed bridge on Fish Run Trail, near Linn Run Road.

Trails and ponds also are in need of maintenance. “There are a number of trails that need brushed back and re-blazed,” Callahan said.

He said interns will follow current pandemic health guidelines regarding social distancing and wearing masks. A delay in the release of pertinent state guidelines was a factor in reducing the schedule and staffing of last year’s YCC program.

Up to six interns will be selected for this year’s YCC team. Each intern who successfully completes the program will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

Those who are interested in a YCC internship should contact Huba, at susan@loyalwater.com, for an application package or additional information.