Crew’s hard work is paying off

The superintendent in Chattahoochee talks to GYF interns

By Yan Yang

When the Greening Youth Foundation sent eight young people to work in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, the mission was clear: chop enough trees at two of the park’s sites so that visitors would be able to see the trenches and cannon imprints from the Civil War.

But more than a month into their internship, the GYF crew has worked with such efficiency and vigor that they have far exceeded expectations. They’ve already cleaned the two assigned sites, 24-Gun Battery and Pigeon Hill, and have moved on to a third one, called Cheatham Hill.

The GYF crew, working through the Youth Conservation Corps in a partnership between GYF and Kennesaw, consists of two college students who are crew leaders and six young people who are current high school students or recent graduates. Stanley Bond, Superintendent of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, explained that the crew’s task was crucial because visitors need to be able to get a sense of the site’s historical significance.

“Unlike other national parks such as Chattahoochee, Kennesaw is a cultural site,” Bond said. “Therefore, we cannot just leave the trees growing on the trace. We need to chop little trees before they are too big.”

The GYF young people have been a great help to Kennesaw. Team leader Derek Cox, a student at LaGrange College, said the team is very hardworking. “At first, the plan was three weeks in 24 Gun Battery and three weeks in Pigeon Hill,” he said. “But we finished both sites in four weeks.”

Their first day on the job, the trees were so dense that when a heavy downpour reached the park, the crew could only feel a light drizzle. The young people said clearing trees can be very tiring, especially when the temperature is over 90 degrees. Everyday, Derek has to get up at 4:30 am to pick up his fellow co-workers. Together they start work at 7:30 am. The team is made up of four boys and four girls; the young people say they have worked together very well. Usually boys cut trees and girls move them out of the forest.

“It is very rewarding to see a site clean after one day’s hard work,” said Derek.

The superintendent also had high praise for their progress. “They did a great job!” Superintendent Bond said. “I wish they could continue working for us.”

Now visitors can clearly see the trenches at 24-Gun Battery

At times the crew has encountered some danger in the forest, such as colonies of bees hidden by leaves or dead wood and even a 6-foot black snake. Face to face with the snake, the crew member moved out of its way and simply stared.

“But in general, working in the forest is fun,” Derek said. “We can even see deer now and then.”

In addition to hard labor, these youngsters also have opportunities to explore careers in the National Park Service. Every Friday, a guest speaker comes to talk about such topics as how to start a career in the NPS, how to conserve natural resources, and what a superintendent does. Also, the youngsters visit other national parks to learn about the history and the projects there. Everyone agreed that the day in Chattahoochee was the most interesting and relaxing since they listened to stories about the site while they were rafting the winding river.

The young people said they are grateful that their eyes have been opened up to the need to preserve our national parks and also to possible careers in conservation.