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AmeriCorps volunteers have long been a cornerstone of NorthWoods projects and programming, but new this year, NorthWoods is fortunate to host nine members of the AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Moose One Team.

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time team-based youth service crew, which partners with non-profits, schools, state agencies and other community organizations to complete service projects in a variety of disciplines across the region. The Moose One team members range in age from 18-24 and hail from across the country, representing Florida, New York, South Carolina, Georgia, California, Illinois, Nevada, Maine and Kentucky. NorthWoods is the team’s third service project since starting their term of service in February. So far, the team’s completed projects have spanned the Atlantic corridor and included: installing endangered bird fencing on the beaches of Cape Cod, tree planting and invasive species removal in Baltimore, and grass planting on St. Michaels Island in Maryland.

The NCCC team arrived at NorthWoods the second week of July. After an initial week of training and orientation, they have set to work on trail building and improvement projects throughout the property. Although NorthWoods own Conservation Corps crews specialize in trail building across New England, our on-campus trail system and enhancement projects are often put on the back burner during the busy summer season. With the help of the AmeriCorps NCCC, our year-round campus trails network is getting the attention it deserves. During six weeks on site, the Moose One team will build a link trail between the existing Tripp Hill trail systems, improve access to Lydia Spitzer Demonstration Forest sites, and construct tent platforms, among other projects.