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Department of Ecology News Release - March 17, 2008
08-068
SPOKANE – After a long winter, area roads and highways need cleaning up. But the Washington Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) Ecology Youth Corps, which employs teens to help with the effort, hasn’t received enough applications this year.
Ecology Youth Corps crew members are needed throughout Central and Eastern Washington to work cleaning up roadsides, parks and schools.
Applicants must be aged 14-17 and enrolled in a local area school. They need to fill out an application form and provide two references from school personnel such as a teacher, counselor, principal or coach.
Applications are available at area high school counselor offices or on line at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc. Applications are due April 4, 2008 in the Central Region and April 1, 2008 in the Eastern Region.
“These are good jobs,” said Central Washington youth corps manager Rod Hankinson. “The teens make more than $8 an hour and have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped to protect our environment and make Washington more beautiful and hospitable to visitors.”
The Ecology Youth Corps is Washington state's largest youth employment program. Every year, more than 400 teens are hired statewide. They gain valuable job skills, teamwork experience, and safety awareness while learning about the environment at the same time.
“Litter crews have provided a vital service across the state for more than 25 years,” said Eastern Washington youth corps manager Gary Lambacher. “Statewide, our crews pick up approximately 600 tons of litter each year and recycle 93,000 pounds of material.”
The Washington Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Model Litter Control Act, provides funding for the Ecology Youth Corps through a litter tax levied on various manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers throughout Washington State. Items taxed are products that tend to become litter such as fast food, beverages, tobacco products, paper products, non-drug sundry items, and others.
For more information,
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Media Contact: Jani Gilbert, communications, 509-329-3495, or by e-mail jagi461@ecy.wa.gov
For program information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc/cro.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
