Conservation Director Michael B. Witte announced that the Department of Conservation is inviting youth employment project proposals from local governments seeking grants-in-aid to operate and administer summer youth employment programs. The programs will hire persons in the 16- through 18-year-old age bracket for conservation and resource management work.

Witte said grant funds totaling $250,000 will be distributed among local government units for such projects through the new Illinois Conservation Corps' Summer Youth Employment Grant Program, approved this year as part of the Conservation Department's Fiscal Year 1986 budget.

The grants will repay up to 70 percent of costs for public park and boulevard projects requiring large work forces, Witte said. Activities permitted under the program include such work as the rehabilitation of shelters, picnic tables, trails, and playground equipment; installation of new trails, shelters, erosion control devices, trees, shrubs and accommodations for handicapped persons; and bank stabilization.

Projects must be launched next spring and be completed by August. Though some of the grant funds may be spent for material and administrative costs, the money is intended to be spent primarily for hiring young workers, Witte stated.

Agencies interested in applying for the grants must send a representative to one of three informational meetings to be held in November.

The meetings, all scheduled for 10 a.m., will be held Nov. 18 at the Sheraton Inn, 3090 Stevenson Dr. (at 1-55), Springfield; Nov. 20, at Wheeling Park District's Chevy Chase Clubhouse, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; and Nov. 26, at Roxana Community Park District's Rox-Arena No. 2, Park Dr., Roxana.

Grant proposal outlines and additional information can be obtained from the Conservation Department's Gifts and Grants Management Section, Bureau of Public Lands, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62706, or by calling Steve Gonzalez at (217) 782-3340.

November 1985 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 37