The Conservation Corps last week announced that it is seeking young people to carry out just such efforts as this one.

People aged 18 to 25 can apply for one of 160 jobs in Minnesota and Iowa, preferably by Dec. 4.

The corps does projects on public land, with an eye toward future careers in natural resources. There's on-the-job training in projects such as exotic species management, prairie and oak-savanna restoration, stream bank stabilization, trail building and maintenance, prescribed burning and wildland fire suppression.

Crew members get $1,210 a month, crew leaders $1,565, plus health insurance, student loan suspension, and later an AmeriCorps award that can be used for college or to repay students loans. About 70 percent of tasks involve camping out.

Get more information from Mark van der Linden, recruitment coordinator: mark@conservationcorps.org or 651-209-9900, ext. 31.

David Peterson