Young Adult Conservation Corps is recruiting!

Transform lives, transform landscapes, transform you! Tree Trust's Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) program is currently recruiting participants for its next 3-month session which starts on June 12, 2012. 

YACC is an employment training program that is based in landscaping and construction work. More specifically, YACC helps to improve the environment and the community by maintaining and developing greenspaces while helping  participants to build transferable job skills. We help you to reach future employment and educational goals while you earn a paycheck!

The work schedule is, Monday – Thurday (8am to 4pm) and Friday (8am to 3pm). Starting pay is $7.25 per hour with room for advancement.

To be eligible, you must:

• live in Hennepin County
• be low-income or at-risk (if there is any question as to what this means, please contact keithw@treetrust.org)
• be between the ages of 17 and 21
• be ready and able to pass a standard drug test
• have proper work ID (i.e. school ID or State Issued ID and either a Social Security Card or Birth Certificate, etc.)

Unfortunately, this summer we will not have funding for older youth (19-21) who are currently living in Minneapolis (keep us in mind in the future though, because sometimes we are able to support older Minneapolis youth!). We can work with Minneapolis youth ages 17 and 18. We are also accepting suburban Hennepin County residents ages 17-21.

If this position sounds like a fit for you, please fill out a YACC application and return it to Tree Trust at 2231 Edgewood Ave. S. St. Louis Park, MN 55426, fax it to 952-767-3650, or email keithw@treetrust.org. If you need help filling out the application, contact Keith at 952-767-3917 or keithw@treetrust.org.

The next available start date is fast approaching and we are excited to connect with enthusiastic applicants, so apply as soon as possible or share this with anyone you know who may be interested!

Additionally, if you would like more information about our program, see our website, email Keith, or contact Keith via Facebook. 

Water your trees!

Minneapolis has had one of the driest falls on record and very low snowfall this winter, which means that trees need to be watered! If we receive less than once inch of rainfall in a week, water the trees in your yard and boulevard. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board plants and prunes trees on the boulevard, but does not water them. We have had many years of drought in the Twin Cities and all trees should be watered, not just young trees.

How does one inch of rainfall translate to a watering with a hose? An easy way to make sure that trees get enough water is to run your hose at a trickle for an hour under the crown of the tree. Make sure to set a timer so you don't forget to turn off the water!

A good way to remember to water is to make sure that you do it on the same day each week. A common suggestion is to water your trees on garbage day.

Additionally, a good layer of mulch will help the soil retain moisture. At Tree Trust we prefer shredded mulch over wood chips. When mulching, remember: doughnuts, not volcanoes! The mulch should be a doughnut shape around the trunk and should not touch the trunk. Weeding around the tree will also prevent weeds from competing with the tree for moisture.

Keep your trees healthy and happy and they will return the favor through increased property values, decreased heating and cooling costs, and better air quality. Besides all that, who doesn't enjoy a nice spot of shade on a hot summer day?

Work for Tree Trust this summer!

Want to work outside this summer?  Looking for a chance to better your community and earn a paycheck? Work for Tree Trust this summer as a summer crew leader or a participant.

PARTICIPANT

Are you a young person who meets Tree Trust's eligibility guidelines? Are you ready for your first work experience? Tree Trust's Summer Youth Employment Program provides paid job training and a chance to earn high school credit over the summer. Make friends, learn new skills, earn spending money, and build confidence in yourself! We have opportunities for youth who want to work outside on crews doing landscape and environmental improvement projects and opportunities for youth who would rather work indoors in retail, childcare, administrative and other positions. Learn more and apply here. 

Don't forget that applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program must be postmarked by Monday, April 9, 2012. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Contact felecias@treetrust.org with any questions.

CREW LEADER

Summer Youth Employment Program crew

Do you want to spend the summer working outside with local youth? Tree Trust’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is an up-to-ten-week paid work experience designed to help young people learn and practice basic job skills. Crew leaders lead two crews of eight youth in outdoor work, building physically challenging projects like staircases and retaining walls for parks and community spaces. Applicants must be willing to work in all types of summer weather and must be committed to working the entire summer. Learn more here.

Applications must be submitted by April 27, 2012. Contact karlyt@treetrust.org with any questions or to submit an application.