One of the challenges we face here at the Forest Service is a dwindling budget. It can make upkeep of recreation sites difficult, but also rewarding after completing a project with the bare minimum of supplies or by finding old supplies that others employees no longer use. The purpose of my position is to help increase capacity through my AmeriCorps service, allowing the Forest Service to complete work that otherwise wouldn’t get done under current budget and staffing. I would definitely recommend that when you start working in the industry to stick it out, because although it may get frustrating at times, the reward is worth it.

Over the summer we worked closely with another AmeriCorps group, TXCC, as they led our district’s YCC group. It was neat interacting and building relationships with other branches of AmeriCorps and seeing the different ways they conduct their programs.