Alexander Martin & Andrew Kaminsky evaluating the Red Oak Trail in Massena.

The St. Lawrence County Youth Conservation Corps, St. Lawrence University, and the Massena Boys and Girls Club have joined forces in an effort to restore the North Country environment.

St. Lawrence University’s Public Interest Corps (SLUPIC) and the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) are also part of the project.

“This also gives youth the opportunity to make money during the summer, develop leadership skills, and begin a resume to provide a basis for professional development,” Christine Phippen, Youth Conservation Corps coordinator said via email. “This also financially stimulates the local economy and gives low-income families another source of income to work with.”

The Youth Conservation Corps is celebrating its 40th year of operation. They employ young adults during the summer.

St. Lawrence University has jumped on board by providing a student intern, Alexander Martin, to co-supervise with Andrew Kaminsky, in guiding a youth group in clearing trails, eliminating invasive species such as giant hogweed and cow parsnip, removing excessive garbage, cemetery restoration and planting community gardens.

The Boys and Girls Club of Massena takes part by “instilling responsible qualities and promotes academic success, good character, and a healthy lifestyle to its participants,” according to Phippen.

“This combined effort yields promising results with multifaceted benefits to the prominent problems that affect the North Country. St. Lawrence County is the largest county east of the Mississippi River,” she said. “With its expansive size and lack of commercial infrastructure, particularly interstate highways, there are a variety of socioeconomic obstacles that arise from these conditions. The unified sponsorship aims its purpose to relieve some of the economic and environmental pressures that are present.”