If you want to know why I am so proud of our Parks and Recreation Bureau, please read Mark Larabee's story in today's Oregonian on the Portland Youth Conservation Corps. The Conservation Corps will provide jobs removing ivy and other invasive species from our natural areas for 64 teens in the Portland area this summer.

This program would not have been possible without the support of Mayor Adams and Commissioner Dan Saltzman and funding from Worksystems, Inc., and the Bureau of Environmental Services.

Special thanks to Astrid Dragoy, Louise Shorr, Merle Roberts, Dave McAllister, and the whole team that worked to launch the Youth Conservation Corps this spring.