Immediate Release
November 9, 2006
Con
tact: Jane Caputo, volunteer coordinator for Sequoia Riverlands Trust, 559.738.0211 x1#
Joan Clayburgh, executive director for Sierra Nevada Alliance, 530.542.4546
APPLICANTS WANTED FOR NEW AMERICORPS SERVICE PROGRAM
Members placed with Sierra Nevada conservation groups, including Sequoia Riverlands Trust
The California Service Corps announced today that they approved funding for three years to support the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership, making this the first Sierra-wide program supported by AmeriCorps. This new program will recruit and place 27 AmeriCorps members throughout the Sierra Nevada; two members will serve with Sequoia Riverlands Trust in Tulare County doing land stewardship and youth education work.
The Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership mission is to develop the capacity of community-based organizations to play a leading role in the protection, restoration and stewardship of public lands, local waterways and working farms and ranches in the Sierra Nevada region. Members serve with community non-profit groups and natural resource agencies to conduct local habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, river and water education and volunteer recruitment in the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada Alliance, South Yuba River Citizens League and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board are project partners guiding the new program.
“This is an incredible opportunity for anyone wanting to live, serve, learn and play in the Sierra Nevada during their year of service as an AmeriCorps Member,” said Soapy Mulholland, executive director for Sequoia Riverlands Trust. “The two members placed with Sequoia Riverlands Trust will help manage and restore the land trust’s 4,380 acres of diverse nature preserves, as well as educate children on the importance of conserving natural and agricultural resources.”
To become one of the 27 Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Members placed throughout the Sierra Nevada region, visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org for an application and apply by January 15, 2007. Full-time AmeriCorps service positions begin January 22, 2007. AmeriCorps Members will receive up to 350 hours of technical, ecological and skills-development training throughout the year. Members also receive a monthly stipend of $1200 and standard health insurance. An education award of $4,725 will be granted upon completion of the program for student loans or future education expenses.
“We are very excited about launching this new program to help meet the critical needs of the environment of the Sierra,” said Joan Clayburgh, executive director for the Sierra Nevada Alliance, who is administering the program. “Successful candidates will have a unique opportunity to develop an understanding of natural resource issues throughout the region, while receiving invaluable training, education and experience to assist with future employment options.”
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Sequoia Riverlands Trust is dedicated to conserving the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley through conservation, education, land stewardship and restoration efforts in the Kings, Kaweah, Tule and Kern River watersheds from the southern Sierra foothills to the Tulare Lake Basin. Currently, the land trust holds conservation easements on 12 properties and owns and manages seven nature preserves, totaling 7,500 protected acres. For more information, visit www.sequoiariverlands.org.
The Sierra Nevada Alliance aims to protect and restore the natural resources of the Sierra Nevada for future generations while promoting sustainable communities. The organization is an alliance of conservation groups that are based or work in the Sierra Nevada region. There are over 60 member groups that span the entire 400-mile mountain range. For more information, visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org.
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. The mission of the Corporation is to build lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.
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