ROLLA, Mo. —The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Fire Team 4 will be serving on Mark Twain National Forest for the next two months. The team of young adults was dispatched here from the Southwest. The AmeriCorps members serve a variety of functions while on assignment, gaining skills and building on the program’s legacy of service. While on the Forest, they will clean up illegal trash dump sites and assist with recreation operations. They will also help Missouri State Parks with facility maintenance and constructing fire breaks. The crew will gain knowledge about operational safety best practices, sustainable trail design and construction, Leave No Trace principles, professional development, as well as community service while serving.
The crew has arrived and has hit the ground running. Corresponding to this picture from left to right, here is a little about them:
- Dalyla joins the team from Nevada and plans to go finish her degree.
- Hannah is from Ohio and wants to attend Elon University after AmeriCorps
- Anthony, from Ohio, is excited to see where his creative talents lead him.
- Tori is from Arizona and plans to get a master’s in marine biology.
- Calla plans to major in biology and eventually work in the field of medicine, and hails from California.
- Kathyrn Hawes (not part of AmeriCorps) works for Meramec Regional Planning Commission and is helping train the crew and supporting the cleanup of illegal trash dumps.
- Chris, from Connecticut, has plans to work in the public health field.
- Jeremiah joins the team from California, and his goal is to join the Forest Service in the future.
- Mariah comes from Texas and has plans to major in anthropology and horticulture and wants to join the Peace Corps to continue her public service.
The team was brought to Missouri through the collaborative effort of Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Mark Twain National Forest. This project is expected to benefit, encourage, and enhance visitor experiences to our public lands by providing sustainable trails, healthier forests and creating clean, safe, and beautiful spaces.
Forest Supervisor Vince Keeler stated, “I want to say thank you to AmeriCorps for answering the call and providing their service time for the benefit of everyone that enjoys public lands in Missouri!”