January 24, 2022 3:20 a.m.

Last week Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley welcomed three AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps teams working to maintain and recover what they call “Oregon’s natural treasures”.

Wyden said the NCCC volunteers “do an incredible service building communities back after disaster and keeping green spaces healthy”. Wyden said the programs in Eugene, Williams and Stayton will make a measurable difference “…in the future of our state’s natural treasures”.

Merkley said programs like that give young adults the chance to make a lasting impact on local communities that need assistance and make a difference in people’s lives.

A release said the teams serve at the request of local organizations and respond to the needs of local communities by assisting with COVID-19 response, disaster preparation, recovery and response, building affordable housing, conserving the environment and more.

Oregon projects include:

*A team serving with the City of Eugene Parks and Open Spaces to assist in protecting, enhancing and maintaining Eugene’s public green spaces.

*A team in Williams is at the Pacifica Nature Center where they will support trail building and other activities

*A team in Stayton will be at Camp Taloali to work on watershed restoration, invasive species eradication, replanting trees and other activities