News

Youth Conservation Corps
By Elizabeth Prata

It was a winning combination- the young adults' energy, a sparkling summer day on Crystal Lake in Gray, 35 yards of mulch and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWD) Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). It all added up to Crystal Lake improvements that not only beautify Gray's only public-access lake, but protect water quality thorugh erosion control measures.

Above, These energetic folks are part of Cumberland Soils and Water Conservation District's Youth Conservation Corps. Left to right is Dan Cruz formerly of New Gloucester, Mary Cloutier of Auburn, Moriah Bedard, crew leader and USM student, Betty Williams of CCSWD, David Miklovich of New Gloucester, Nate Reimensnyder of New Gloucester, Duncan Fowler of New Gloucester, and Dean Bennett of Gray Parks and Rec. The Monument: Prata photo

Betty Williams of CCSWD said that the five person crew, led by Moriah Bedard, were on hand to install 70 plants and spread 35 yards of organic mulch into a buffer berm that will help keep winter road sand and other toxins from reaching the water. The plants will be planted along the mulch berm to aid in erosion control and also help deter people from walking along the back of the guardrail, which further contributes to erosion.

Dean Bennett of Gray Parks and Recreation was on hand as well, and said that "the improvement is welcome to this public space that is Gray's only real park."

The crew worked three days for 6-hour days, and all Gray needed to contribute was $2,000 in cash or in-kind support.

Gray donated the cash and "They also generously donated some of the Public Works crew's time and equipment to help with the loam," Williams said. A program such as this reaps many rewards, Williams explained. The youth, who are committeed to conservation and the environment, get to participate in a project that has immediate and demonstrable benefits. The Town benefits from having much more than $2,000 of work done.

Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester also participated in the Youth Conservation Corps program. According to Jami Fitch of the CCSWD, on June 30, youths planted 26 plants at the O'Malley Residence on Sunset Shores Road.

"These plants were planted at a site that received a treatment of lowbush blueberry sod in 2003. Some of the plants did not survive through the winter. It was determined that a portion of the area was too shady to promote the growth of the blueberry plants. Creeping winterberry was selected since it will grow better in shade than lowbush blueberries," Fitch said. Also, a thick layer of erosion control mulch was spread over the entire planted area to further stabilize the steep bank. The Ouellette Property on West Shore Drive also received erision control implementations.

"The landowners at both sites were instructed to keep the plantings well watered for the first growing season so that the newly planted plants can become established. Because all of the plants planted at the two sites are native to Maine, minimal care should be needed once the plants are established," Fitch said.