‘It really changed the trajectory of my life’: Heart of Oregon Corps expanding program for youth to work on public lands

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Recently, the Heart of Oregon Corps got what it called a "game-changer" grant to expand one of its programs for young adults. 

Heart of Oregon Corps, a workforce development nonprofit - recently announced an expansion of its year-round, young adult High Desert Conservation Corps Program, with the help of new funding.

The program is an opportunity for young people between the ages of 17 to 24 to serve their communities through conservation, working on public lands. 

"I did service for the community that I was in and got to know other people that were interested in conservation" Sadie Forsyth, Heart of Oregon Corps' field and safety manager, said Monday. "It really changed the trajectory of my life,"

Heart of Oregon Corps received grant money of $890,000 for three years. 

Conversation Program Director, Patrick Orr said, "The funding comes initially from the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed through to the Forest Service, and then we applied directly with the Corps Network." 

Over the next three years, Heart of Oregon Corps will partner with the cities of Redmond and Madras and Jefferson County on projects throughout the area. 

Orr said, "One of the great things about this grant is that it's allowing us to be more in the public eye and impacting communities locally. Often our crews will go out into public lands, and you won't ever see them."

Projects over the last couple of years focused on fire fuels reduction and mitigation. The program allows young adults to gain experience from others. 

Forsyth said, "Coming here was an opportunity for me to pass on the experiences that I've learned and be able to be a mentor for young people who are also interested in jobs and conservation."

 The program is accepting applications for this fall, winter and spring.