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Jul
30
Written by:
news editor
7/30/2009 1:00 AM
07/30/09 Gov. Ted Strickland and ODNR Director Sean Logan announced today that the Ohio Division of Forestry is currently accepting applications for the newly created Ohio Woodlands Job Corps.
Governor Strickland, ODNR Director Logan Announce Ohio Woodlands Job Corps
New stimulus-backed program to create 132 green jobs, provide funds for college and technical education, remove invasive species and help improve the health of Ohio's forests
COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Sean Logan announced today that the Ohio Division of Forestry is currently accepting applications for the first class of 132 jobs that will be available as part of the newly created Ohio Woodlands Job Corps, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Corps members will work a total of 1,000 hours and gain work experience and woodcraft training at one of seven different state forests. Corps members will remove invasive species on state forests, learn how to fight wildfires and receive extensive training and certification.
"This program will help improve both our forests and our economy," said Strickland. "The stimulus dollars used to fund the Ohio Woodlands Job Corps is a wise investment that will encourage healthier forests while creating jobs in regions of our state that are severely challenged by underemployment. I would like to thank President Obama and Ohio's Congressional leaders for helping put Ohioans to work while improving our natural resources."
The Ohio Woodlands Job Corps is scheduled to start eleven, six-person crews working and training at seven separate state forests beginning September 14. The headquarters for these crews include: Blue Rock (Muskingum County), Hocking (Hocking County), Maumee (Fulton, Henry and Lucas Counties), Pike (Highland and Pike Counties), Scioto Trail (Ross and Pike Counties), Shawnee (Adams and Scioto Counties) and Zaleski (Athens and Vinton Counties) State Forests.
"While employment of Ohioans is a crucial component of this program, the Ohio Woodlands Job Corps also provides a unique educational opportunity that draws on the expertise of state forestry staff, the Ohio Forest Industry, OSU Extension and Hocking College," said Logan. "This program will provide valuable training and real world learning experience for corps members interested in making a career in Ohio's $15 billion wood industry, which directly employs 119,000 people."
Both The Ohio State University and Hocking College are partners in the training component of this program. Four of the 25 total weeks of employment for corps members will be spent training in how to fight wildfires, safely and properly use chainsaws, identify invasive and native tree species, and on logging best management practices.
On a forest resource level, participants will spend a majority of their time removing woody invasive plant species from state forestlands. The presence of these exotic invasive plants, such as bush honeysuckle and Tree of Heaven, suppresses native understory species and is detrimental to healthy woodlands. In addition to removing invasive species, the crews will also assist with forest inventory work, timber stand improvement activities, trails maintenance and tree planting activities.
As an affiliate of Americorps through The Corps Network, corps members will be eligible to receive up to $2,300 towards their college education.
To apply for jobs through the Ohio Woodlands Job Corps visit ohiodnr.com/forestry or ohiomeansjobs.com. The deadline is August 9.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For further information, contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Division of Forestry
614. 265. 6694
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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