Young Adult Conservation Corps Wraps up First Week of Training

(L-R) Crew Members: Will Collins, Hokden Foley, Caci Wallace, Kendall White Eagle 

and Eric Coleman, Crew Leaders: Abbey Toomer  and Shane Murphy

A group of young conservationists assigned to work in the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast (CCFC) gathered Friday at lunch around a table at Franklin's Promise Coalition to review their first week of training as they cut a nature trail through property own by the City of Apalachicola west of town.

"It has been wonderful working with the CCFC crew… they are very excited about the nature trail work and are so grateful to have this opportunity" said Abbey Toomer, one of two crew leaders in Franklin County from Community Training Works Inc. (CTW).

"We are very appreciative of CTW for providing Abbey and her fellow crew leader, Shane Murphy to serve as the mentors for our new conservation corps program. These young people are working so hard to build the nature trail for the City. It is such a great thing to see them so energized about learning and working, this program is such a blessing for our community" reported Joe Taylor from Franklin's Promise Coalition.

The program is an eight week pilot project established to provide Franklin County young people ages 16-25 employment opportunities, job skills, leadership development and financial education.

The crew also met with Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson in his office to give the mayor an update on the progress with the nature trail. 

”Crew member Holden Foley, excitedly told me… "It is fun, educational and I hope it will make a difference in the community”, said Mayor Johnson.

The pilot project is a collaborative effort between the Corps Network, the City of Apalachicola, Community Training Works, CareerSource Gulf Coast, The Nature Conservancy, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Franklin County Schools.  

For more information on the program: Click Here.