A total of19 young adults from various backgrounds and experiences made up the work force, which was managed by Field Director Sean Ryberg. Sean was hired by the The Place&#iso_39;, the lead agency of the HYCC program, because of his knowledge and experience in working with young people. The two summer Crew Leaders were Isaiah Sutten and Nate Morris. Key partner organizations in the HYCC Program included the Central NY RC&D, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rogers Environmental Education Center, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Chenango County Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).

During the eight-week summer program alone two separate work crews completed over a dozen projects ranging from dam maintenance, hiking and skiing trail construction(6 miles) and maintenance(20 miles), erosion repairtwo ponds, wildlife habitat improvementon ten acres and three surface drainage improvements projects. All of these projects were done in consultation with natural resources professionals including those from USDA-NRCS and NYS DEC. Some of the other agencies and organizations they worked with include the Norwich and Oneonta YMCAs, Bowman Lake State Park, Village of New Berlin, NY.

Millbrook Pond, New Berlin, NY
USDA-NRCS History: Mill Brook Site II is a USDA/NRCS PL-566 multi-purpose flood control structure located in Chenango County, NY. The flood control structure, completed in 1987, includes a 70 foot high earthen dam forming a 50 acre lake with approximately 60 acres of surrounding uplands. Since 1990, the Town of New Berlin in cooperation with the Chenango County Board of Supervisors and the Soil and Water Conservation District have constructed an access road, boat launch, and picnic and swimming area. The site provides year-round recreational opportunities including swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife observation.
Design and Completion of the perimeter trail: The HYCC crew began the project by flagging the proposed route and identifying critical trail elements that would require additional work or design features.

Rogers Environmental Education Center, Sherburne, NY:
Construction of a new Hiking/Cross-country ski trail: The HYCC crew worked under the direction of NYS DEC Forester, Marsha Guzewich and Fred VonMechow. The HYCC begins all major projects with planning and research to conduct work consistent with best practices and high quality efficient service. The focus of the stewardship planning process is to consider the client&#iso_39;s needs and vision with environmentally sound practices. skiers as well as hikers. Foot Trail Maintenance and Improvements:

In total HYCC provided over 5000 hours of service as Earth Team Volunteers. Additionally, all crew members received a weekly educational component provided by the various natural resource professionals who presented information on conservation, forestry, environmental sciences and related career areas for the benefit of the Crew Members.

2005 HYCC Crew Picture
Back Row L-R:
Tim Finnegan, Norwich; Joe Wright, S. New Berlin;Leader Nate Morris, Sherburne;
Leader Isaiah Sutten, Norwich; Uriah Bennett, New Berlin; Leigh Frye, Norwich;
Sonja Streichert, Norwich;Stacie Edick, Environmental Education Coordinator

Middle Row:L-R:
Sean Ryberg, Field Director; Stephanie Deuel, Norwich; Corey Weidman, Oxford; Katie Reagan, Cortland; Matthieu Satterlee Plymouth; Sara Lafayette, Guilford; Erin Mechan, Edmeston; Anne Place, Oxford;

Front Row L-R:
Riis Gramstad, Oxford; Josh Ashton, Norwich; Bob Wolf, Norwich;

Missing: - Nicole Edick, Oxford