Vermont Business Magazine, Burlington, Vt.., USA, announced this week that the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps just received a $3,500 grant from the International Paper Foundation (Memphis, Tenn.) in support of youth development and conservation programming. VYCC has been offering employment and training to youth, ages 16-24, since 1985. Young people work in small crews on public lands across the state. They learn to work as a team, to take personal responsibility for their actions, and to value the importance of environmental conservation through high-priority projects. Many of these projects improve the health of Vermont’s watersheds. The IP Foundation has consistently supported VYCC programming since 1997, as a result of the Ticonderoga Mill operation on Lake Champlain’s western shore. Frequently, funds go towards projects that directly improve the health of Lake Champlain. 

This is the largest gift from the IP Foundation to VYCC to date. Meanwhile, 25% of last year’s conservation projects directly combated erosion, phosphorous input, and other issues impacting the health of Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. Improving watershed health is among VYCC’s strategic priorities. 

Daniel Schmidt holds a new position at VYCC--Watershed Partnerships manager. "I’m excited to work with Vermont municipalities, foundations, and state and federal agencies to identify and implement watershed improvement projects," Schmidt said. VYCC Corps Members complete these projects in paid work experience positions. Daniel’s position has been funded by the Lintilhac Family Foundation and the High Meadows Fund.

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is a 501c3 nonprofit service, conservation, and education organization with a mission to teach young people personal responsibility through meaningful work that connects us to the land, community, and one another. For 30 years, VYCC has instilled the values of personal responsibility, hard work, education, and respect for the environment in young people. Its program model is: small teams, well-trained leaders, and diverse crews working to complete projects that benefit the community. VYCC Corps members (young adults 16-24) work, live, and learn together in small groups, completing priority conservation and agriculture projects throughout Vermont under the guidance of highly trained leaders.