The Wyoming Conservation Corps (WCC) is pleased to announce its newest program, the Wyoming Veterans Trail Crew (WyVTC), a program dedicated to employing veterans to work all over the state building, improving, and maintaining trails in Wyoming.
Thanks to the financial and operational support from Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, a grant from Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, and the hard work of our staff at the WCC, the WyVTC embarks on its first season. From the day after Memorial Day to August 29, the crew will be hard at work with 12 days on and 2 days of at these locations:
- Glendo State Park
- Curt Gowdy State Park
- Medicine Lodge Archeological Site
- Guernsey State Park
- Sinks State Park
- Hot Springs State Park
- Legend Rock Petroglyph Site
- South Pass City State Historical Site
- Buffalo Bill State Park
- …and more State Parks projects as needed
2017 WyVTC Crew
Kevin Wilson grew up in Central Florida and joined the Navy when he was 17. He spent almost 5 years in the submarine service, completing 6 deterrent ballistic missile patrols, and attaining the rank of Fire Control Technician Second Class. After the Navy, he received a BA in History with a minor in political science from the University of North Georgia and a BA in Environmental Studies from Rollins College in Central Florida. While earning his degrees, he worked as a Veterans Educational Counselor, a Florida State Park Ranger, and an Admissions Officer for NOLS Wilderness Medicine in Lander, WY. While a Park Ranger, he researched the lives of African American turpentine workers in early 20th century Florida and contributed to updating the Florida Master Site File for a historic African American settlement in Markham, Florida.
He is serving as a Crew Leader for the WYVTC this summer before beginning Nursing School at Central Wyoming College this fall. He has a lovely calico/siamese cat named Esther and he likes to read, write, climb and mountaineer in the Tetons and Wind River Range of Wyoming when possible.
Henry Bonds was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and served in the Army’s ceremonial unit from 2013 to 2016. He has always enjoyed doing new things and being outside and he has been active with the Wyoming State Parks mountain biking trails for most of my life. Currently a student at the University of Wyoming for a Bachelor’s degree in History, he intends to rejoin the army after college as a commissioned officer. Henry will be a crew leader for the WyVTC this summer.
Aaron Martin is an outdoor fanatic from Southeast Tennessee. He loves hiking, camping, and running. His life has been an adventurous one, starting at the age of 18 when he left for the U.S. Army. Aaron spent three a half years with the U.S. Army Infantry out of Fort Carson in the beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, he had the chance to see our country, and the world. Upon completing his service to the U.S. Army, Aaron enrolled at the University of Wyoming, fueled by his drive to have a career in nature, he double majored in Geography and Environment Natural Resource. Aaron has just recently completed his first year of college, and is highly motivated by working in the outdoors. He will be a crew member this summer.
Brett McCartney is a Wyomingite born and raised in Wheatland, Wyoming. He enjoys the outdoors and tries to get outside whenever he can with friends. In the summer months you can catch him doing various activities in the outdoor which include camping, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, and learning survival skills. He also enjoys learning new activities and has quite a few outdoor experiences under his belt. Brett is a U.S. Navy veteran and holds a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Wyoming. This is his first time working with the Wyoming Conservation Corps and will do so as a crew member.
Briton Brooks grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas playing football, baseball, basketball, and bow fishing. Immediately out of high school, Briton joined the Army. After returning home, he completed his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. Since completing his degree, Briton has traveled the United States gaining experience in the workforce, each job being one that required work hard, working outside, and thinking on his feet. In his free time, he continue to enjoy hiking, canoeing, and fishing. He goals include furthering his education by earning a Bachelor’s Degree. He is looking forward to having the opportunity to spend his summer with the WyVTC as a crew member.
Mickey Finnell is from Cheyenne, Wyoming, but over the course of his lifetime he has been on the move living in several different states. He moved back to Cheyenne during his high school years and graduated from Cheyenne East High School in 2010. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served on active duty for a duration of 5 years. Upon completion of his military service, Mickey decided to try his luck at college and enrolled as a student to the University of Wyoming. He has been studying criminal justice and wants to pursue a career in corrections or law enforcement. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Mickey spends much of his free time hunting, fishing, and camping. During the warmer seasons he also likes to take road trips on his Harley. As a new crew member of the WyVTC he’s looking forward to meeting new people, building strong working relationships, and enjoying Wyoming’s beautiful outdoors.
Preston Villumsen grew up in Colorado where he enjoys deer, elk, and waterfowl hunting in the winter. During the summer, Preston likes to take his camera into the woods while camping or scouting for the next season. He has summited many 14ers and has a life goal to summit all in the state of CO. Having spent over four years in the infantry and a year working in oil and gas, he is now working on a degree in microbiology at the University of Wyoming. Preston is excited to get to work as a crew member this summer with the WyVTC.
Zack Myers is excited to work with WCC’s WyVTC this summer. He enjoys being outdoors and doing a variety of activities such as shooting, hiking, working out, skateboarding, playing football and snowboarding are among some of his outdoor activities. From Douglas, WY, he ended up joining the Marine Corps in 2012 and has learned many things from that experience. He looks forward to bringing his life experience to the WyVTC this summer.
Wyoming Conservation Corps 