On Friday, November 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Coconino Rural Environment Corps (CREC) will host a Ten Year Anniversary Open House at their new facility located at 5410 E. Commerce Ave. in Flagstaff. In celebration of the move and anniversary, CREC is inviting all current and former members, partners, supporters and stakeholders to the open house. The public is also invited and encouraged to attend.

CREC is a national service, youth development conservation corps program designed to utilize the talents and energy of youth and young adults in addressing critical land and resource conservation issues within Coconino County.

Originally established in 1997 through a cooperative partnership between the Coconino National Forest and Coconino County, CREC has been under the direction of Coconino County’s Community Services Department since 1999. In that time, CREC has grown from a program hosting two summer Conservation Corps crews, to a year-round program offering environmental conservation and youth development opportunities to more than 100 participants annually.

Through partnerships with local, state and federal entities, land management agencies, community groups, educational institutions and non-profits, CREC members gain valuable life and job skill development opportunities and educational experiences. Members learn about resource protection practices and stewardship ethics through the implementation of conservation projects on the County’s vast public lands. In addition, members receive AmeriCorps Education Awards at the successful completion of their service terms which they
may use to further their educational pursuits.

Since 1997, more than 700 members have successfully completed service terms with CREC, earning more than $1,300,000 in AmeriCorps Education Awards.

Community benefits of CREC programs are numerous, including helping land management agencies create and implement land and resource conservation projects such as habitat restoration, trails construction and maintenance, facilities improvement, watershed and wetland restoration, invasive plant species eradication, forest health, restoration and fuels reduction and community wildfire protection.

CREC programs address multiple social, economic and environmental needs within Coconino County: The three tenets of a sustainable society. Coconino County’s need for public land management services and youth development and employment opportunities are great. A proven track record of success in protecting and providing access to public land resources, and in providing youth development and empowerment opportunities,while building the next generation of stewards and land managers, is testament to the great importance of the work of CREC.

For more information, contact Dustin Woodman, Coconino Rural Environment Corps, at (928)679-8160 or dwoodman@coconino.az.gov.