As December nears, we are looking back at what MAI has done in its first year of operation.  It’s important to note that much of this work was accomplished due to the generous support of our fans, the donated time of the MAI Board and the hard work of the MAI staff.  If you like what you read, consider a donation to the Mt. Adams Institute fund (hosted by our partner: Mount St. Helens Institute).  It will keep us moving forward in 2013!

Forest Youth Success is a youth employment program in Skamania County, Washington that engages local youth in summer work on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  In 2012, 48 kids spent their summer weeks working on projects such as trail building, fish hatchery maintenance, non native weed mapping and removal, road corridor brushing and boundary surveying.

In addition to earning a well deserved paycheck, participants benefited by:

• Career path exposure to natural resources management jobs
• Weekly classes that explored team building, resume writing & interview skills, financial management and goal setting
• Being engaged in a successful community program during the summer
• Interaction with positive adult mentors that supervised the crews

 

MAI helped administer the program by securing the project agreement with the Forest Service, scheduling the work for the eight crews, securing new funding sources and reporting on its success.  All and all, it was a very good season for Forest Youth Success.

To learn more about the 2012 season, read the FYS2012 accomplishment report.