DOINews: BLM-Idaho: BLM Botanist Inspires Youth from Around the Nation to Gain an Appreciation of Our Public Lands

Susan Filkins, natural resources specialist/botanist for the Bureau of Land Management Idaho State Office, NEPA Permit Renewal Team, inspires youth from around the nation to gain an appreciation of our public lands out West, and she teaches them some useful outdoor skills for the future. On her own time, she volunteers as an environmental youth advisor to a group of about 225 at-risk and underprivileged youth at the Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Nampa, Idaho.


BLM's Susan Filkins and Carl Powell, Centennial Job Corps student liaison in 2011.


Job Corps is the nation's largest residential education and career vocational training program for the economically disadvantaged youth, currently training more than 60,000 students at 125 centers nationwide. The program is overseen by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service.


"It is gives me a sense of community and accomplishment to talk with these young students about native plants and public land values, many of whom are from large cities like New York, Atlanta or Detroit," Filkins said. "Most of them, ages 16 to 24, have never even heard of or touched foot on public land. After being around them for a while, I realized that out West, where we can catch a view of our vast open spaces from our porches or step out onto a breathless scenic trail just minutes from our homes, we can tend to take our beautiful surroundings for granted."


Filkins has been assisting at the Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center since 2011. Her involvement began with helping the youth plant native species in cement planters on campus. "The youth now take care of the plants, water them and watch them grow," she said.


Centennial Job Corps students tending to one of the planters to beautify the campus under Susan Filkin's guidance.


"I have been given a wonderful opportunity to teach these youth how native plants and native plant communities provide ecological, economic and esthetic values to our lives," Filkins explained. "I show them how native plants are the source of food for the animal kingdom, how they cycle and clean fresh water, and how they provide soil stability. Also, I share with them the public benefits from having their lands managed for multiple-use. Active conservation activities are designed to help the youth gain knowledge of plant growth, biology, problem solving and critical thinking."


In addition to career training, Centennial Job Corps provides academic training, including basic reading and math. Courses in independent living, employability skills and social skills are offered in order to help students transition into the workplace. One of their top goals is to ensure that every qualified student obtains their GED high school diploma prior to leaving the center.


Centennial Job Corps business-community liaison Carl Powell said, "We are always looking for volunteer opportunities, both on campus and outside, as mentors and tutors to help with the academic growth and practical living skills of our students, whether it's in music, recreation, environmental science, accounting, carpentry or computer technology. These students need an education to earn their high school GED certificate and the deeper skills that will give them a self-sufficient foundation they can begin building upon for the rest of their lives, and Susan is selflessly contributing to that goal."


Carl explained that with recent federal funding cuts, the center has had to downsize, reducing not only the number of students they serve but also their number staff positions. This has made volunteerism even more important these days.


"Susan has put in many appreciated hours of volunteer work here with our students, particularly helping them with gardening and gaining an understanding native plants and their importance," Powell said. "One of our goals is to develop a 'people's garden' where we grow enough vegetables for our center with enough additional produce to donate to our community."


Green house that was assembled by the Carpentry Trade program at Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center.


Raised garden beds and greenhouse constructed by the Carpentry Trade program.


Last month, Filkins provided the keynote speech to the graduating class. Center Director Michelle Woods noted, "Thank you Susan so much being our Graduation Speaker. You did a really great job. Our students really related to and enjoyed you. You have always supported Centennial and we are grateful!" For her efforts, the Centennial Job Corps recently awarded Filkins with a beautifully engraved plaque of appreciation.


Powell said Filkins has also tied into the center's new "green" emphasis in their curriculum and job training. With assistance of a new "Green Committee" at Centennial, students who are entering into advanced manufacturing, automotive or construction career technical training areas are also being trained in a variety of green subject areas, such as the environmental protection, renewable energy and energy efficient homes. "With her natural resource sciences background, Susan is helping students get into that curriculum," he said.


"It is commendable that the Job Corps is working to make their students employable with competitive skills, and I am so glad to be a part of that process," Filkins said. "I know they do help with catering through a cooking contractor for our interagency firefighting effort. I believe they also have their own firefighting crews. At the center, various agencies are working together for the benefit of these youth."


Filkins said the Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is a beautiful facility, with lots of green space and many planned activities that help the youth to learn, grow and become self-sufficient adults. "I am thankful for this opportunity to serve and to be able to share the story of BLM in such a positive way," she said. "I always get back more than I give."

By: Kris Long, public affairs specialist, BLM Idaho State Office

April 22, 2014


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