A state funded program is encouraging local students to lend a helping hand.
The Nebraska Youth Conservation Project kicked off this week at Lake Minatare.
The conservation program is a government-funded project aimed at encouraging Nebraska youth to help improve state parks.
A group of seven local students were selected to spend their summer helping out around the panhandle.
There are more than 100 students stationed around the state participating in the program.
High school student Christian Enriquez says he enjoys giving back to the community while spending time outside.
"I'd rather be outside than inside a fast food restaurant flipping burgers. I'd rather be out here working with my hands and stuff."
The Scottsbluff group will spend the next two weeks at Lake Minatare before heading to Cedar Canyon in early August.
