A big "Thank You" goes out to the Traverse City Youth Corps for playing a vital role in the ongoing maintenance on local recreational trails. The Corps is also responsible for creating a beautiful new trail at the Natural Education Reserve as well.

The Traverse City Youth Corps is led by the Team Leader, Bill Watson, with help from District Intern, Brent Wheat. Brent's internship was generously funded by the Youth Advisory Council of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

The Corps is made up of students from Traverse City High School who have selected to work in the afternoon of every school day as part of their curriculum.

Their most recent project was to construct a beautiful new trail from the Sabin Pond Trailhead to the Meadows Pavilion. “They consistently surprise me with the speed and the quality of their work. They are definitely one of the best crews we’ve ever worked with,” said Ben Purdy, the Conservation Technician working on the Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Parkland Project, managing 2000 acres of public parkland in Grand Traverse County. The Youth Corps' hard work is greatly appreciated by the Grand Traverse Conservation District and by all those who have enjoyed the beautiful trails at the Nature Education Reserve.

2006 Traverse City Youth Corps Members:
Bill Watson (Team Leader)
Andrew Ammons
Ray Sivek
Troy Kaster
Goose Favela
Johnny Hines
Jerica McGinn-Clous
Josh Lighthill
Karsheena Kuelske
Aaron Cox