A team of 11 Americorps volunteers is collaborating with Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services to complete a four-week environmental project at Sandy Creek Park.

The team is constructing a 1,000-ft. boardwalk to elevate Cook’s Trail above a family of beavers that has recently made the walkway its home. The trail is located along the greenway that connects the park with its nature center.

The volunteers will be building the boardwalk Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until its completion Nov. 20.

Students interested in volunteering may contact volunteer services coordinator Sadie Wilkes at 613-3615, extension 227.

“We’re all young people … so we’d love to see other young people become involved who are interested in working with us on a recreational resource and giving something back to the community,” said Team Leader Justin McAmmond.

Americorps is a federal program that acts as a domestic peace corps, allowing volunteers to work in five areas, including environment, education, disaster relief, national security and unmet human needs.

The 11 volunteers, stationed in Charleston, S.C., are working on the Sandy Creek boardwalk as part of a 10-month program called National Civilian Community Corps and will complete a variety of projects across the southeast.

The program is open to anyone ages 18 to 24.

Participants receive $4,725, which can be used towards college or to pay back school loans. They also are provided with room and board and receive a bi-monthly stipend for spending money.

Program volunteers are stationed at four other campuses across the country, including Perry Point, Md.; Washington D.C.; Denver, Colo.; and Sacramento, Calif. More information on the program and Americorps can be found at its Web site (www.americorps.com).

“It’s an amazing experience. Basically it’s a year to give up everything to do nothing but service,” said Tiffany Isaacs, who is working with the team for the first time.