National Park Service: Repair Mosquito River Trail Youth Crew Grant at Pictured Rocks Natl. Monument

The SEEDS Director of Youth Development, Bill Watson, proposed to the park to establish a youth work crew from local tribal groups surrounding Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The SEEDS organization had previously provided a youth work crew to work on a section of the North Country Trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and has previously worked with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on several youth projects so they are uniquely qualified to provide access to diverse youth populations for park projects.

The work will consist of removal, repairing and replacement of trail structures such as stairs, boardwalks, bridges and turn pike, along the Mosquito River Trail. This would be the second time SEEDS has been used on a park project so they are familiar with the logistical restrictions of performing work on trails in the interior of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, including access to work sites, wilderness tool and equipment restrictions, and other considerations. Additionally, they have been successfully employed by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on several projects and have demonstrated a commitment to providing their youth work crews with a positive experience.
NPS staff will collaborate with the Recipient on the development of the project work activities, oversee outcomes of work, and provide supplemental training and education regarding the work of and mission of the NPS.