Imagine going to work every day knowing you’re making at least a small part of the world a better place.
Then imagine that you get to work outside with your hands, which is your favorite kind of work.
Arista Colegrove Dillworth not only imagined that, she found the opportunity to achieve it, through the Climate Impact Corps, a federal program hiring at the local level. She now lives and works in Douglas County.
Park Superintendent Brad Bonk applied for Douglas County to be included in the Forestry Initiative component of Climate Impact Corps. His application focused on the removal of invasive species to allow native species to thrive. That means Dillworth spends a good deal of her time eliminating buckthorn.
That may not be a great sounding job to many, but to Dillworth, it’s perfect. “Helping the environment makes a difference and that makes me feel happy,” she said.
Buckthorn needs to be removed because it pushes out native plants that are important for wildlife and that help to control erosion. It has also been linked to another invasive species called soybean aphids which, according to the U of M Extension, is the number one insect threat to Minnesota soybean growers. It’s such a high priority that Dillworth works to remove it even in the coldest weather. That, she says, is the most challenging part of her job.
But when the weather is warmer, she tends to the young fruit trees the county has planted, one of her favorite responsibilities. During this summer’s drought, her watering those trees saved many that could have withered and died.
She is also planting trees. Trees purify the air, offer shade, attract birds and wildlife, and prevent soil erosion. Studies show they also improve mental health.
Dillworth works 25 hours a week and receives a federal stipend. She is not a Douglas County employee, but Bonk sets her schedule and outlines each day’s expectations. This is her second year with the program. She landed in the position after graduating from high school in Zimmerman Minnesota. When she started her search for employment, she said she thought, “What could I do that I wouldn’t totally hate.” She said her dad mentioned parks and rec. Taking his advice, she googled it. It wasn’t long before Climate Impact Corps popped up.
“She’s doing a great job for us,” said Bonk. She occasionally works alongside park employees like Mike Anderson who was assisting with tree planting at Pilgrim Point on October 12. “She gets along great with the staff when they work together but most often, she works on her own.”
Dillworth said she would recommend joining the Climate Impact Corps to people who are motivated and self-directed.
“My boyfriend is very proud to tell people what I do for a living,” she said.
Find more information on serving in Minnesota through the Climate Impact Corps at this link. https://www.serveminnesota.org/program/community-forestry-corps/