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Area high school students are helping the Credit River watershed by planting trees this summer. This group participated in an event along Caledon Creek July 7.

Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) is a new program of Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) for high school students living or going to school in the Credit River watershed and surrounding area. Each week during the summer, three crews of five students will collectively plant 10,000 trees throughout the watershed. These trees will help combat climate change as they soak up carbon dioxide as well as improve air quality, protect our water, and harbour wildlife.

The youth in our watershed now have an opportunity to really get involved in the fight against climate change through the enhancement of our natural environment. CVC has recruited a roster of enthusiastic, fit students to be part of CYC this summer as we offer a handson, safe, volunteer, learning experience, in a structured setting. Although the program is new, it has proven to be popular. Organizers are already planning for improvements for 2008.

The launch, attended by Councillor Allan Thompson, highlighted the link between environmental education with environmental action.

Thinking Globally but acting Locally. Students will gain a varied work and "eco" experience to expand their understanding of the natural world and to help provide them with the tools to be the green leaders of tomorrow. Before they're finished the program, they will know that there are actions that they can take to help sustain our environment.

Participants in the Youth Corps program will get outside, meet new friends and can get their volunteer community hours all while making positive environmental changes across the watershed, often in their own local communities. This new program will see students grow, improve in their personal development, job and life skills, and provide training in natural resource stewardship.

In the first week, students spent the week planting trees throughout the watershed, monitoring fish populations, and improving trails at Terra Cotta Conservation Area. Two CYC teams working with some volunteers from Daimler Chrysler planted nearly 300 trees and shrubs along a tiny tributary of Caledon Creek through the Village of Caledon July 7. This stream is one of the few remaining that the Redside Dace, an aptly named minnow considers home. The Redside Dace is considered provincially threatened within Ontario and the work of the CYC will go a long way to protecting this stream. Shrubs and trees planted streamside will provide some shade that will off-set the warming expected through climate change.

Although, the program is fully subscribed for 2007, please check the Web site at http://www.creditvalleycons. com/cyc/ to find out more about CYC or contact Shawn Verge, CYC program coordinator at 905-670-1615 ext. 291 or by e-mail at cyc@creditvalleycons.com.