MCC seeks military veterans for wildland management projects

A nonprofit conservation group is seeking experienced leaders and technicians — people who gained their experience serving their country — to help with projects in the state and out.

Montana Conservation Corps is asking military veterans interested in careers in land management to team with the corps in the Veterans Green Corps Wildlands Fuel Management Program.

"MCC's Wildlands Fuel Management Program offers a unique opportunity for recently returned vets to leverage their leadership experience with technical skills to pursue careers with land management agencies, " said MCC Program Director Lee Gault. "Our members gain valuable experience through employment projects that focus on skill development, certification and networking with land management employers. "

The fuel managment program is an AmeriCorps project that focuses on conservation skills and career development for current-era veterans interested in pursuing careers with land management agencies.

The program includes 300 hours of conservation skills training and practice through conservation projects, such as S212 saw certification through the Colorado Fire Camp, CPR/first aid training, and instruction on tool maintenance and repair, and "Leave No Trace" principles — creating minimal impact on wildland and recreation areas.

The corps' Wildlands Fuel Management Program is based out of Billings, with projects in the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

The entire project is focused on fuels reduction, using chain saws and crosscut saws.

Upon completion of the program, participants receive an AmeriCorps education award which may be used for further training opportunities such as Wilderness First Responder courses through Aerie Backcountry Medicine, or NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute.

Training begins Aug. 22 and the program concludes Oct. 14.

Veterans can contact Tauzha Grantham at MCC by phone at (406) 651-1311 or email at [email protected] for more information.

Further information and applications are available online at http://www.mtcorps.org/join/americorps/veterans-green-corps/.

MCC is a nonprofit organization that enrolls more than 200 young adults from across the country, age 18 and up, in its AmeriCorps program, and more than 100 local teens, ages 15 to 17, in its Youth Service Expedition program. The people in the programs learn hands-on conservation service through its projects.