Becky Williams, a Utah State University- Uintah Basin professor, and Rich Etchberger, USU vice provost of regional campuses and former USU-Uintah Basin wildlife science professor, have been recognized for all their efforts in successfully running the Uintah Youth Conservation Corps by the USDA Forest Service. The Regional Forester Award is given to those that make a difference in the Intermountain Region National Forests and Grasslands. Williams dedication to helping students not only complete the program but have meaningful hands-on experiences is key to her success. “It’s an honor to receive this award, and have our local organization recognized for the work we are doing to ensure our students get working experience in National Forests and Grasslands,” said Williams. “It is vital that we create opportunities for our students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in real-world settings.” Etchberger states that the partnerships of this organization have made it much easier for students to access field work experience. “The success of the Uintah Youth Conservation Corps is the collaboration of the Uintah Impact Mitigation Special Service District, USU-Uintah Basin scholarships, and direction provided by Ashley National Forest employees,” explains Etchberger. “We’re lucky to work with such great individuals with the common goal of improving these outdoor spaces. Becky is doing a great job pushing this program forward and getting our students involved.” The Uintah Youth Conservation Corps was created 11 years ago. 97 students have participated in the years since resulting in over $980,600 of conservation and improvements to the National Forest.
