In partnership with the Louisiana Office of State Parks, a team with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), an AmeriCorps program, has arrived in the Cane River National Heritage Area for a four-week long project. The team, Bayou 4, is based out of Vicksburg, Miss., but consists of members from around the country. During their four-week term in the heritage area, Bayou 4 will help perform property and trail maintenance, along with facility improvements to three state parks in the region. The state parks included in the project are Los Adaes State Historic Site, located in Natchitoches Parish, Fort Jesup State Historic Site and North Toledo Bend State Park, both located in Sabine Parish.
“We have an important partnership with the Louisiana Office of State Parks to preserve the cultural and natural resources in the region and this is a great opportunity for the heritage area to welcome a team of dedicated volunteers to help improve the resources at our regional state parks,” said Cane River National Heritage Area’s Executive Director Rebecca Blankenbaker. “Fort Jesup’s walking trail has transformed just in their short time here, and we are privileged to be working with such a hard working team.”
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, team-based program for young adults, aged 18-24. Members develop leadership skills and strengthen communities by completing service projects and gaining life experience. Service projects, which typically last from six to eight weeks, address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Members mentor students, construct and rehabilitate low-income housing, respond to natural disasters, clean up streams, help communities develop emergency plans and address countless other local needs.
To learn more about AmeriCorps programs visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps.