The Lopez Island Conservation Corps continued with its list of accomplishments this summer.

Members of the LICC learned about working with hand tools, safety, and both native and non-native plants. They maintained miles of local trails, removed 300 pounds of Bull and Canadian thistle heads, manually pulled five acres of the non-native plant sweetbriar and performed roadside and beach clean-ups, taking well over 200 pounds of trash and debris to the landfill. All in all, LICC contributed more than 1000 hours of community service.

On July 17, Josh Cook, LICC program leader, flew to Washington, DC to accept the national Take Pride In America Award for volunteer service in the Youth Division. Both the public and the places where LICC worked this year benefited from the dedication and commitment of these talented youth. The developing partnership with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center will bring new opportunities for LICC to flourish and expand. The program will continue into the school year and next summer.

Anyone interested in participating, can call Carla Chalker, the conservation corps chair, at 468-3518.

The LICC gave a special thanks to the Lopez Village Market, the San Juan County Land Bank, Friends of Hummel Lake, San Juan County Parks Department, Friends of the Fitness Trail, Lopez Ferry terminal, Bureau of Land Management, Lopez Islands Family Resource Center, and the Keepers of the Patos Light for their help.