Tallgrass transplant

The first major project for the three teens participating in the Youth Conservation Corps at Homestead National Monument of America is to replant the grass around the Homestead heritage center.

“It’s a big job moving the grass,” Homestead National Monument Superintendent Mark Engler said.

The transplant involves digging up the grass currently located around the heritage center, which grew taller than expected, and relocating it to another site on the grounds.

“To protect the public’s investment in the new center and also to set a good example, we’re relocating the grass,” he said. The grass had been expected to grow to be about 18 inches tall, but it grew to be twice that.

It’s all part of the job, though, for Jake Werner of Beatrice, Beth Stanley of Firth and Logan Bartels of Tobias.

Engler said the Youth Conservation Corps is a program meant to instill conservation ethics in young people, as well as provide job experience.

“With this program we hope it enlightens young people on what working and having a job means,” he said.

Engler said the monument has participated in the program for a number of years with three or four randomly selected for the program out of the 12-24 that normally apply.

Werner and Stanley said they were both happy to hear they had been selected to participate in the program.

“It gives me better experience for future jobs,” Stanley said.

Working outside was also a plus.

“I prefer the chance to work outside,” Werner said.

The teens are paid minimum wage and work 40 hours each week at their jobs.

Stanley said they usually begin the day with cleaning at the monument’s facilities.

After that they’re outside to work with projects like the grass transplant or picking up the grounds, Werner said.

“Through their service they participate in a variety of projects that help the Homestead in managing different resources and projects in the park,” Engler said.

He said in addition to the grass transplant, the teens are also involved in moving exotic species found on the tallgrass prairie, working on park maintenance and even painting historic buildings.

Park Ranger Jesse Bolli said without their help some projects would not be possible.

“It’s a great opportunity for the park to work with local kids, get them involved in helping improve the park,” he said.

Engler said the teens will get involved in other projects like the grass transplant that will seem big, but they will whittle them down and get them accomplished.

“I think they’ll find a lot of gratification in it,” he said.