BARING – Young people interested in the outdoors and the area’s natural resources will have an opportunity to participate in the National Youth Conservation Corps work program at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge this summer.

“The purpose of the YCC program is to further the development and maintenance of the natural resources of the United States by America’s youth, and, in so doing, to prepare them for the ultimate responsibility of maintaining and managing these resources for the future,” Deputy Refuge Manager Ray Brown said in a prepared release.

The refuge will be accepting applications for seven positions.

Young people 15 through 18 years of age, who are citizens of the U.S., its territories or possessions and are eligible for employment may apply. Applicants must have a Social Security card and a work permit, if required, before the first working day of the program, and must have either a parental or guardian signature of approval.

Those selected will work 40 hours a week for eight weeks. The pay will be $7 an hour, including paid federal holidays.

The refuge was established in 1937 as a migratory bird refuge, but also serves to protect wildlife habitat, endangered species and other wildlife for future generations.

The refuge is also home to bear, moose, deer and many insects and reptiles, including snapping turtles that regularly try to cross U.S. Route 1 as they move from marsh to marsh.

It also is home to many bird species, including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, upland game birds, songbirds and birds of prey.

The Baring Division of the refuge covers more than 20,000 acres and is located off U.S. Route 1 in the Baring and Calais areas, and the Edmunds Division includes about 9,000 acres located between Dennysville and Whiting on U.S. Route 1.

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