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Youth crew addressed by DCNR, local park officials

By Olivia Goudy ogoudy@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
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Olivia Goudy | Herald-Standard

Ken Bisbee addresses the Youth Corps crew about his own career journey, noting that he once studied music in college.

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Olivia Goudy | Herald-Standard

Brody Nicholson (fifth from the left) laughs as she recalls how she was first not accepted into the program, but later was accepted, which came as a pleasant surprise for the outdoor enthusiast.

A common theme among those in the environmental field is changes in career and education paths. Many who now call state and local environmental departments home began somewhere else.

In an effort to shed some light on career paths and wayward journeys, Ohiopyle State Park workers and state officials met with a group of teenagers spending their summers working in the outdoors.

“After a month in my first job, I knew I wanted to do this for as long as I could,” said Ken Bisbee, Ohiopyle park operations manager, who said during one point in college, he studied music.

Other officials noted their origins in everything from chemistry to writing.

The change of career and heart is similar to those of the 10-person crew.

They are part of a six-week employment assignment in the region, and one of 14 throughout the state.

“The crews, which also employ two adult crew leaders are tackling more than 100 enhancement projects this summer in state parks and forests like trail building, facilities maintenance, shoreline improvements, tree plantings and invasive species removal,” according to a press release from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

R. Scott Carney, a manager with the PA Outdoor Corps, said their goal is help DCNR in addressing a backlog of projects.

Made up of boys and girls between 15 and 18 years old, the group went around in a circle and shared their journey in the love of the outdoors Monday afternoon while meeting with DCNR Deputy Secretary Lauren Imgrund and Bureau of State Parks Director John Hallas.

Two in particular spoke of their interest in computers. Joshua Langan, 17, said his summer plans were to spend as much time possible in front of the computer learning new programming language.

During a trip to Tennessee last week, though, he said he had a newfound passion for the outdoors. He said he’s since enjoyed working with the crew while being a part of nature.

Others spoke of their time in boy scouts, or growing up by a river surrounded by woods.

For Lillian Biddle, 15, it was her childhood in Maxwell, near Brownsville, that influenced her passion for the outdoors.

She also spent mornings in Ohiopyle playing in Cucumber Falls.

“To come back while I’m an adult and to be working here — it’s amazing,” she said.

So far, the crew has deconstructed cabins in the former Pressley Ridge site. Bisbee said their goal is to give it back to nature.

Biddle grinned as she recalled the number of animals they found so far on sight, including salamanders, mice and bats.

“The thing I was most surprised about with this program is how much work we’ve done,” she said.

During their time employed, the teens also benefit from skill building courses where they’ll learn more resume and interview skills.

Carney applauded the teens on the past week of work.

“Their work ethic is amazing,” he said. “It gives me a lot of confidence about the youth of today.”

Vinnie Fioravanti, 22, a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, was hired to lead the 10-person crew. He also noted what a great group of local students it was.

“I love this opportunity,” he said, adding that it’s a learning opportunity for him as much as it is for the teens involved.

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