VERMONT—While it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village and lots of partnerships to raise future conservationists! Green Mountain National Forest, in collaboration with several local businesses and organizations, recently hosted 10 students and staff from the Lexington School for the Deaf to participate in a week-long work-study program in Vermont.

While living and working in Vermont, the students learned about forestry, wildlife and fisheries management, recreation, partnerships and the value of serving on a youth conservation crew. Several students were inspired to seek future employment when working alongside CorpsTHAT, a nonprofit organization that works to support the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing participants in conservation corps and outdoor programs.

Eastern Region’s Urban Connections program supported the partnership to engage these communities. “The partnership provides meaningful, nature-based educational programming and experiences that connect our urban students to their National Forests,” said Recreation Program Manager Holly Knox. “We are building the next generation of public land stewards by inspiring more students to be part of protecting and caring for greenspaces, from local parks to wilderness.” 

The week’s events emphasized hands-on learning and activities, such as a Leave No Trace exercise led by CorpsTHAT, and snorkeling with White River Partnership and USDA Forest Service staff to learn about watershed management. 

A partnership with the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective enabled students to test their mountain biking skills through partner-led rides and skill training on bikes donated by Green Mountain Bikes. Additional businesses continued to support the partnership and helped make the week a success. Liberty Hill Farm in Rochester, Vermont, housed the students who participated in chores at the dairy farm and learned about the challenges facing small, family farms. Baird Farm in Chittenden explained the maple sugaring process before sending students home with samples to share with their peers. Trail Blazing Interpreters provided interpreting services tailored to the unique needs of outdoor programming.

The Lexington School for the Deaf is the largest deaf school in New York State. The school begins career education in the elementary grades and continues through middle and high school. Students explore personal career interests through formal classes, internships and community service experiences. 

Partnering with the Forest Service provides one more avenue for career exploration with Lexington students. “The benefits of the week are unmeasurable,” said Joyce Neier, a representative for the school. “Students see the hearing and deaf world interact, learn new skills, participate in new tasks, observe a world that is so different from New York City—and see a possible future for themselves.”