Jim Geenan

April 20, 2021 Program

Jim Geenan was a Peace Corps Director for nine years in Guyana and Paraguay in South America. Before that, he launched a foundtion in the Ecuadorian Amazon which served indigenous peoples.

Jim spent his entire professional career in development with 17 years as a development director in Hondorus, Sudan, the Pillipines, and Ecuador, and 8 years working in the Big Brother/Big Sister organization in Wisconsin.  Jim’s hobbies include gardening, light hiking, travel, and time with his wife, children, and his grandchildren.

Jim Geenan spoke to us about the Western North Carolina Climate Action Coalition and the Youth Conservation Corps.  Haywood Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) is under the auspices of Haywood Waterways Association (HWA).  They work with schools and churches by organizing young people to assist HWA. They have a ‘Kids in the Creek” program which has expanded to “Kids on the Banks”.  They organize the youth to help clean up our waterways, by removing litter and invasive plants, and by planting new trees and shrubs to prevent erosion.

 Their goal is to create cleaner air and a healthier environment.  HYCC has served more than 15,000 middle school students with educational, hands-on learning.  They also work on developing students’ leadership skills.  Volunteers are always welcome.  You can reach them at wncclimateaction.com or call 828-508-4289.