The Meldrum Bar Park Project Restoring Habitat Through Job Training and Environmental Education

Meldrum Bark Park

Meldrum Bar Park

Wilderness Intl. Youth Conservation Corps Mission - to build life skills in disadvantaged youth while completing important conservation projects in the communities we serve. Program Areas – Life / Job Skills training for at-risk youth – Conservation projects – Guided Outdoor Expeditions/Experiences

Project Payback Program (A collaborative program between Wilderness Intl., Clackamas City Juvenile Dept. & Clackamas Comm. College) Youth Crew Members Work on conservation projects Receive college credits Earn stipends to pay restitution Improve / build upon work ethic Learn basic conservation principles Learn / build upon life and job skills Establish new community connections Learn / build upon appreciation and enjoyment of natural world

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Bi-state National Estuary Program Primary Program Areas – Habitat Restoration – Ecosystem Monitoring – Education and Outreach

Estuary Partnership Education and Outreach Programs Environmental Education Classroom Science Lessons On River Programs Field Programs Service Learning/Habitat Restoration Water Quality Monitoring Summer Camp

Project Partnership Formation Two organizations Two projects Two Nature in Neighborhood applications Metro staff suggested a partnership WI and EP formalized a partnership with 2010 Nature in Neighborhoods Grant.

Meldrum Bar Park Project Elements Environmental education for students in grades 3-6 Focus on local schools (Kraxburger, Holcomb, Wetten, El Puente, etc.) Lead by Estuary Partnership Environmental Educators

Meldrum Bar Park Project Elements Weekly Youth Crews Community volunteer days Recruiting and educating local citizens, businesses, and organizations about the work. Project Mgmt. for City Staff

Project Benefits Teen Work Crews – Habitat Restoration – Receive college credit – Learn life and job skills – Earn stipends /restitution, Students – Complete a habitat project – Experience an environmental interpretative program – Receive science lessons that support school curriculum – Explore a local natural area Greater awareness and appreciation of the natural area, and its importance.

Completed Native Plant Demonstration Garden Cleared more than three acres of invasive plants Girded ivy from more than 300 trees Installed informational signage and several hundred feet of fencing to deter illegal dumping Accomplishments to Date

Accomplishments to Date Cont. Built initial sections of nature trail Constructed covered area and viewing areas Planted more than 3,500 native trees and shrubs Developed and enhanced partnerships for the park Leveraged additional funding (OWEB, NFWF) Created and sustained momentum

Vision for the Next Five Years Increase community partners and volunteers Maintain restored habitat Continue to provide career training programs and service projects for local youth Expand restored habitat across the entire natural area (at a rate of almost 3 acres/year) Support the development of a Friends group

Thanks to Our Supporters and Partners Metro! City of Gladstone Clackamas County Juvenile Department Clackamas Community College OWEB NFWF Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Friends of Rinearson Creek SOLVE