Eleven AmeriCorps NCCC (National Community Civilian Corps) members spent eight weeks this summer at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge in north-central North Dakota working on prescribed burns and environmental conservation projects. The 18-to-24-year-old members, who come from all over the nation, had never been to the national wildlife refuge before.
J. Clark Salyer Refuge, a Globally Important Bird Area, extends south from the U.S.-Canada border along the Souris River for about 45 miles. The diverse habitat types found on the 58,000-acre refuge – mixed grass prairie, river valley, marshes, sandhills and woodlands – support an abundant variety of wildlife, including 125 species of nesting birds.
Here are the AmeriCorps NCCC members’ first impressions of the refuge:
John-Luke Rivera, from Tracy, CA: “There’s serenity to it, a detachment from civilization that makes it serene. It’s nature in its unadulterated form, something I can respect and see why people would enjoy it, even though I have always been a city boy.”
Aurora Harrison, from Sacramento, CA: “I really like that first curve of water when we go running in the morning, there’s always lot of ducks hanging out there. It’s nice to go down and see what they’re up to in a very calming place.”
Melissa Eckstrom, from Philadelphia, PA: “It’s nice to see land in Midwestern states that has not been converted to farm land and to be able to truly see the diverse ecological systems of the Midwest.”
Chris Hays, from Morgan Hill, CA: “It’s beautiful, all of it. It’s incredible. The nature is amazing, but I’m also really inspired by everyone who’s out here working so hard, giving up some things so they can support a cause that they believe in and really do work that matters to them.”
Caleb Klima, from Fond du Lac, WI: “It’s going to disappear without money, and it’s very necessary especially for wildlife on the decline. If we don’t protect habitat areas for wildlife, waterfowl and ducks, future generations aren’t going to have any to enjoy, and the Earth’s going to lose more biodiversity just so people can satisfy their comfortable living today.”
Justine Miller, from Pawcatuck, CT: “I was in awe upon our arrival driving through the wildlife refuge and the serenity that seemed to radiate from our surroundings. I was excited but timid as to long-term isolation.”
Colleen Breslin, from Plymouth Meeting, PA: “It was certainly something I’ve never seen before. There was so much nature and beauty in a quiet atmosphere that has been protected for years in its intended state. The land and animals on the refuge provide a beauty that no city skyscraper can compare to.”
