Letter: Thank You Greenwich Youth Conservation Corps for a Job Well Done

To the Editor:

The 2014 Greenwich Youth Conservation Program is extremely grateful to our fantastic group of 112 local teens, our very generous sponsors and members of the Town Departments of Social Services and Parks and Recreation for a highly successful summer program.

For 36 years, our town parks and beaches have benefited enormously from the hard work of innumerable 14 and 15 year-olds who have removed invasives, planted shrubs, trees and flowers and cleared walking paths in the woods. The teamwork and skills they learn will serve them for a lifetime.

The program consists of working in the mornings and learning in the afternoons. Daily speakers on local environmental issues and teen life skills are followed by team recreation. Participants receive what is likely their first paycheck for their work. Most of the teens want to return the next year!

This year’s groups worked at Tod’s Point, Bible Street Community Garden, Greenwich High School, the Pinetum, Laddin’s Rock, Sachem Preserve, Bruce Park, Byram Beach, Christiano Field and on the exciting renovations at the Glenville Green.

The program would not have existed without the generosity of our major sponsor, The Resource Foundation, as well as Firehouse Deli, Garden Catering, McArdle’s Florist and Garden Center, Whole Foods of Greenwich and dozens of private donors.

Gratefully yours,

The Board of the Greenwich Youth Conservation Program

Barbara Bollman

Mary Hull

Carol McGreevey

Frank Smurlo, Jr.

Kimberly Terrenoire, Chair

Rebecca Wayland

Contributed photo: from left, Miriam Obaiah, Mia Binuya, Jubely Sanchez and Yaa Asanto Wa remove invasive vines.