This summer, over 200 young adults had the wonderful experience of learning about National Forest System land management through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and MobilizeGreen’s Youth Conservation Program.  

Students could choose between onsite or virtual participation on the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Participants completed Superior National Forest projects including improving a recreation area by constructing a campground staircase for erosion control, removing an unsafe wooden bridge to prepare for a new bridge, and maintaining campsites and trails for scenic values and more durable trail features.

Participant Shamah said of the summer program, “It has been one of the best summer experiences I had so far. I have learned so many things about conservation and gained so many new skills in the area. Feeling like I made a difference is so rewarding. I would definitely do this program again and recommend it to others.”

Youth participants also produced visitor educational materials like trail kiosks and interpretive signs, a native and invasive species pocket checklist, wildfire educational materials by writing and illustrating children’s storybooks on living in a forested fire environment and wildland fire safety practices, as well as developed informational brochures about how to safely recreate in areas affected by a wildfire.

Other hands-on work included assisting with prescribed fire and fuels work by flagging a prescribed fire unit and cutting access line, banding native birds, using hand tools to improve habitat for a regional forester sensitive species, and using a variety of tools for non-native invasive species eradication. Onsite participants camped and stayed at an environmental learning center, where they lived communally and gained life skills in teamwork.  

“At home, I don’t go outside as often as I would like and being here and going outside every day really inspired me to go outside more with nature. Also, I feel equipped with lots of resources and internships that I can do in the future which will further my career and education,” said Isabel. “I enjoyed meeting lots of different people and being around the beautiful Superior [National] Forest. I loved everything about it!!”  

MobilizeGreen’s motto is “youth-action-impact.” The organization strives to empower the next generation of conservation and environmental leaders while contributing to solving environmental challenges and shaping a sustainable future through internships, youth conservation programs, and professional development opportunities.

Since 2014, MobilizeGreen has engaged over 2,500 youth with internships, youth conservation programs, and professional development opportunities. The Eastern Region has partnered with MobilizeGreen’s Youth Conservation Program since 2016; the Superior National Forest has partnered with them since 2020.  

“Working with Mobilize Green youth is inspiring. The skills that are developed in 15- to 18-year-olds through this program over a three-week period are incredible. Playing even a small role in helping to develop the next generation of land stewards is very rewarding. This project motivates me to set a good example through encouraging these participants to pursue all areas of natural resource conservation, land management and public service,” said Jonathan Benson, assistant recreation program manager for Superior National Forest.  

Since the 1970s, the Superior National Forest has managed a variety of Youth Conservation Corps programs and many participants have gone on to careers in public service, including positions across the nation’s forests and grasslands.

For more information on the Superior National Forest, please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior.