Teen Rangers spruce up Brampton

Tag : gabion wire
BRAMPTON - A few local teens are taking a different approach tosummer employment this year. For the past few weeks, five Brampton teens have been helping tidyup creeks, pick up litter, repair damaged boardwalks and smallbridge crossings and plant trees around the community. It's part of the Ontario Stewardship Rangers Program (OSR). OSR is a provincial government initiative administered by theMinistry of Natural Resources in partnership with Halton-PeelWoodlands and the Wildlife Stewardship Council and funded by theCity of Brampton. It offers 17-year-olds an opportunity to make money over the summermonths and learn the importance of keeping their surroundingenvironments clean. The City has provided $30,000 towards a ranger crew for the pastfour years. "We've cleared out at least 30 shopping carts of garbage from therivers this summer," said Brampton team leader Karen Sue. "The health of the community can be reflected in the health of itsenvironment. So, not only are we working towards restoring theriver, we're also trying to instill the importance of conservationin our youth." According to the coordinators, the program targets 17-year-oldsbecause it is a crucial age when teens are making post-secondarydecisions. This program stresses the importance of maintaining a healthyenvironment and might influence a career in natural resources. The program will make age exceptions, recruiting 18-year-olds aswell, if the candidate is keen and enrolment levels are low. The main focus in Brampton this year has been a stream and wetlandrestoration project, which sees the participants building gabionbaskets - rock beds encased in thick wire placed along the riveredge, which help curve the waters flow. During the winter thaw, and specifically with the abundance ofprecipitation seen this year, the rivers and creeks can overflow,spilling onto trails and damaging the surrounding environment. With these baskets in place, the water is less likely to spill overand erode the path. "Overall we make Brampton a nicer, prettier place," said17-year-old Heena Desai who heard about the program through herschool. "We want to help the environment," said fellow participant AleshiaEdwards. "We see garbage around our schools and it's disgusting."Unlike most other summer jobs, this also allows teens to enjoy theweather and remain active. "I think it's boring to be inside all summer. This is a lot morefun," said Blaire MacDonald. On top of learning about the local environment, the teens alsoreceive health and safety training and an educational seminar frompark rangers discussing concepts and applications of biodiversityand natural resource management. For more information visit www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Youth and select summer programs.