Date: December 22, 2016
Contact: Jennette Jurado, 432-477-1109,
On December 15, 2016, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced more than $350,000 in funding to engage youth and veterans in hands-on conservation projects in public lands. The Texas Conservation Corps will receive $39,000 of these funds to work within Big Bend National Park.
Over the summer of 2017, Big Bend National Park's trail crew will partner with the Texas Conservation Corps to work on part of the maintenance backlong along the popular WIndow Trail within the Chisos Mountains. Specifically, they aim to replace many of the cross trail structures to improve tread and reduce erosion, making the trail more sustainable.
The Window Trail was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Over a five mile round-trip distance, it brings visitors down to a canyon, sculpted as rains have slowly drained along this path. This remains one of the most popular trails for its scenery and opportunity to see wildlife.
"we are honored to receive funding to help keep this trail safe and sustainable," says Superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones. "We welcome the Texas Conservation Corps as partners to help maintain our park, and build another generation of youth stewards for our public lands."
