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Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135
AmeriCorps workers have been assisting Point Reyes National Seashore with resource preservation and protection projects and will be on-site for another two weeks. Projects that the team has been working on include: preparing willow branches for re-growth in sensitive riparian areas, removal of non-native plants (European beachgrass, pampas grass) to help in protecting endangered native plant species, fencing riparian areas to keep creeks cooler for coho salmon, painting historic structures, and more. AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is part of AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs created to improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety, and assist with disaster relief and other unmet human needs, The Western Region campus, located in Sacramento, serves Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the territories of Guam and Samoa. The Western Region campus is one of five in the United States. “The AmeriCorps*NCCC team has done a tremendous job. They removed over 16,000 square feet of European beachgrass at Abbotts Lagoon, 2,000 square feet of iceplant at the Lighthouse, and painted buildings at the Dance Palace Community Center in Point Reyes Station; all in one week,” stated Don Neubacher, Park Superintendent. The following week was no less intensive. The team painted over 4,000 square feet of interior space at the historic Lifeboat Station, a National Historic Landmark; cataloged over 600 books into the park’s library system which helped finalize the park’s new museum facility; and removed over 14,000 square feet of non-native iceplant and European beachgrass to help protect native plant species. AmeriCorps*NCCC team leader, Becky Hamilton stated, “We never want to leave this beautiful park and great community.” The program is a ten-month residential service program for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 from every social, educational and racial background nationwide. While at Point Reyes National Seashore, the AmeriCorps*NCCC crew has been staying at the historic Lifeboat Station, located at the southern tip of the Point Reyes Headlands. -NPS- |
Last updated: February 28, 2015