Cuyler Page wrote:
> Absolutely, there is a need for a program like the old CCC.  
>  
Dearest cp in the wilds of western ca, long-long time no see,

It's not exactly the same, but there is the US National Civilian 
Conservation Corps, a group of young people who volunteer a year to 
travel around in teams and do labor for worthy organizations - roofing, 
painting, planting trees, doing trail work, whatever. They receive an 
Americorps stipend for food and personal expenses, and the host 
organization finds a place for them to sleep - dorms, gym floors, whatever.

They usually try to schedule work of 8 weeks on a project. The local org 
provides supervisors and materials. The NCCC has gang leaders who handle 
the interface. I had the pleasure to work with them over a week this 
spring, planting native hardwoods on 25 year old "reclaimed" mountaintop 
removal sites, also known as "area mines."  (now home to lespedezia, 
russian olive, and not much else.)

In one week, my crew of 11 and their crew of 12, planted about 6000 
trees, with an expected survival rate of 80%. In ten years, we should 
have 15 to 20 foot trees well on their way to maturity in 35 to 40 
years. All mixed together, maples, oaks, hickory, pine, cherry, and others.

You can get these folks for your histo-presto projects if there is a 
non-profit component to your work. They were REALLY GOOD KIDS.

~deb

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