Conservation Corps MN & IA

The AmeriCorps field program engages young adults, ages 18 to 25, in natural resource conservation and disaster response throughout the upper Midwest. In 2022, 170 participants served in national service roles restoring habitat throughout the Midwest. Field members contributed 197,782 hours of service this year, removing invasive species and hazard trees from 8,279 acres; planting 32,402 native trees and shrubs; conducting prescribed burns on 17,420 acres of prairie; constructing or improving 663 miles of trail; installing or maintaining 45,157 square feet of rain gardens; controlling erosion on 34,547 square feet of shoreline. AmeriCorps members receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and an education award for college expenses. Beside career and work-skills training, members receive certifications in wildfire suppression, defensive driving, chainsaw safety and first aid.

Youth Outdoors is an afterschool service-learning program for Twin Cities youth, ages 15-18 from low-income households. Youth participate for one academic semester at a time, meeting two days a week after school and on Saturdays to explore science and the environment and complete projects to improve parks and restore resources. Summer opportunities are also available. In 2022, 45 youth participants and 37 AmeriCorps members completed 35,551 hours of environmental service learning projects. This past year, Youth Outdoors participants managed exotic plant species on 1,289 acres of land, planted 18,477 trees and shrubs, removed 1,710 pounds of debris, and engaged in 3,781 hours of training. Youth participants earn an hourly wage. AmeriCorps members receive a monthly stipend, health insurance and an education award for college expenses. In addition to career and work-skills training, members receive certifications in wildfire suppression, defensive driving, chainsaw safety and first aid.

The residential Summer Youth Corps engages diverse youth, ages 15-18, in environmental-restoration projects during two summer sessions, each four weeks long. In 2022, 62 youth participants, 18 AmeriCorps members, and 3 part-time staff completed 27,969 hours of training and environmental service learning projects. This past year, crews built and maintained 40.2 miles of trail, maintained 18 campsites, removed invasive species from 98 acres, and completed 1,190 hours of training and general service. Participants receive a living stipend as well as room and board. AmeriCorps members receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and an education award for college expenses

Single placement opportunities for AmeriCorps members engage young adults, ages 18 to 25, in natural resource, energy conservation, community outreach and emergency response work. In 2022, 9 participants served year-long terms on special projects with a variety of land management agencies and nonprofits; and 13 served summer terms completing natural resource projects. AmeriCorps members dedicated a total 22,916 hours of service and training. Corps members planted 8,014 native trees and shrubs, managed invasive plant species on 2,068 acres, collected 729 water quality samples, conducted 3,024 aquatic invasive species surveys, 452 user surveys, and provided education to 1,133 people. AmeriCorps members receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and an education award for college expenses.Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers (IDEC) engages college students pursuing STEM degrees who are interested in a career in natural resources. The program specifically seeks to engage students from backgrounds typically underrepresented in natural resource careers, including women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities. Through partnership between the Conservation Corps, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, students participate in a fellowship, mentorship and paid internship. Students gathered with Conservation Corps and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff for orientation, met one-on-one with staff to discuss academic and career goals, and completed a workshop on effective communication skills. 22 students received a fellowship payment to support academic expenses for the fall 2022 semester.