Each summer, the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employ four high school students as the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). The students learn the every day workings of the wildlife and land management agency from the inside out rather than as mere observers.
After a full summer of learning about refuge work, this week they return to Chiefland High School. During the many projects they completed for the betterment of the refuge, the YCC gained understanding of the ecological, political, and financial concerns with which refuge management must deal. They also observed refuge staff working like a well-oiled machine during emergencies like wildfires and storms.
For a job well done, staff took the hard-working YCC for an end-of-the-summer luncheon. After an awards ceremony with certificates of success presented by their supervisor, Jason Coates, and closing words of encouragement by Lower Suwannee's interim Manager Jim Kraus, the group was surprised by an announcement. 
Acting Manager Jim Kraus and Cassie Nelson showing off her refuge t-shirt. (Refuge Photo)
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Restaurant owner Jimmy "Frog" Statham visited the table applauding the youth who performed such intense work over the long hot summer. He announced that Frog's Restaurant would be providing a complimentary lunch for the YCC who worked so diligently for the Lower Suwannee during their summer break.
Kraus, having seen the YCC's work for the three weeks he has been managing the refuge, was so impressed that he presented them with wildlife t-shirts and a gift bag from his refuge Friends group at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
"The refuge exposed the YCC to vast career opportunities, how to be competitive when applying for jobs, and through the work each performed, they learned what they, as a team and individually, are capable of accomplishing," said program coordinator, Pam Darty. For more information about the summer YCC program or volunteer opportunities, call the refuge 493-0238, extension 223. | 