January 20, 2022

Wyden, Merkley Welcome Three AmeriCorps Civilian Community Corps Teams to Oregon

Service will focus on wildfire recovery, trail maintenance and preservation of green spaces in Eugene, Williams, and Stayton

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week welcomed three AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams working to maintain and recover Oregon’s natural treasures.

“AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers do an incredible service building communities back after disaster and keeping green spaces healthy,” Wyden said. “These programs in Eugene, Williams, and Stayton will make a measurable difference in the future of our state’s natural treasures, and I thank these folks for their service to the people of Oregon.”

“Programs like AmeriCorps NCCC give young adults the chance to have lasting impact on local communities that need assistance, and make a difference in people's lives,” said Merkley. “I am pleased that this dedicated volunteer service will boost disaster recovery efforts across the state, and I look forward to seeing the results of this program for Oregon’s natural resources and community access to the outdoors.”

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential service program that strives to build a stronger nation by engaging young adults in service at the community level. AmeriCorps NCCC members serve at the request of local organizations and respond to the needs of local communities by assisting with COVID-19 response; disaster preparation, recovery, and response; building affordable housing; conserving the environment; and more. Oregon projects will include:

  • A team serving with the City of Eugene Parks and Open Spaces to assist with their mission to protect, enhance, and maintain Eugene’s public green spaces, specifically trail renovation, habitat repair and enhancement, landscape renovations, and updating a tree inventory using ArcGIS.
  • A team in Williams at the Pacifica Nature Center, a unique 420-acre natural reserve, nature center, botanic garden, educational site, and community center. NCCC members will support trail building according to ADA standards, infrastructure improvements and fuel reduction, repairs to a small historic post office and constructing interpretive signage, and planting native plants, reducing erosion, and performing vegetative maintenance.
  • A team in Stayton at Camp Taloali to work on watershed restoration, invasive species eradication, replanting trees, and remediating windstorm, wildfire, and ice storms on Camp Taloali and Upward Bound Camp's campgrounds. The team will help with remediating climate change damage to the Challenge Course and playground and improve physical access to nature studies sites for summer program campers and Outdoor School programs.

“At AmeriCorps, we are thrilled to work with thousands of partners across the country who are building a stronger, healthier, and more united future for our nation,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “I’m proud AmeriCorps NCCC can be a part of this critical work in Oregon to help conserve our public lands, bolster community resilience, and address the changing climate.”