Conservation Legacy National Park Service FY22 Report

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INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION page two

ACK NOWLEDGMENTS page two

STAT EMENT OF PURPOSE page three

CONS ERVATION LEGACY OVERVIEW page four

PROGRAM SUCCESS page six

PROGRAM MODELS page seven

COVID-19 MITIGATION page eight

DEM OGRAPHICS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS nine

PROGRAM & PR OJECT HIGHLIGHTS page ten

VETERANS HIGHLIGHTS page twenty-four

PARTICIPANT AND PARTNER EXPERIENCE page twenty-five

CON CLUSION page twenty-six

APPENDIX A: PROJECTS page twenty-six

APPENDIX B: PRESS AND MEDIA page twenty-eight

APPENDIX C: HIGHER ED RECRUITMENT page twenty-nine

APPENDIX D: FUNDING page twenty-nine

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Conservation Legacy would like to thank the National Park Service staff, Cooperators and Partners who make our shared vision, mission and programming a continued success. We absolutely could not positively impact these individuals, communities, and treasured places without you!

NPS STAFF AND UNITS:

NPS Washington Office

NPS Youth Programs

NPS Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program NPS Historic Preservation Training Center

Region 1 North Atlantic Appalachian Region 2 South Atlantic Gulf Region 3 Great Lakes

CONSERVATION LEGACY

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FY2019 REPORT

Report Term: October 2021–September 2022

CONTACT INFO

FOR CONSERVATION LEGACY: Ron Hassel, Partnership Director 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 101 Durango, Colorado 81301

Email: ron@conservationlegacy.org Phone: 970.749.3960

Region 4 Mississippi Basin Region 5 Missouri Basin

Region 6 Arkansas Rio Grande Texas Gulf Region 7 Upper Colorado Basin Region 8 Lower Colorado Basin Region 9 Colombia Pacific Northwest Region 10 California Great Basin Region 11 Alaska Region 12 Pacific Islands

LOCAL ACTION. HEALING LANDS. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.

ENGAGING FUTURE LEADERS WHO PROTECT, RESTORE, AND ENHANCE OUR NATION’S LANDS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE.

Conservation Legacy is a leading national conservation service organization dedicated to supporting local and regional service programs, raising the bar on impact, inclusion, and innovation in community-based conservation efforts. We work so that every person living in America has the opportunity to feel connected, committed, and confident they can contribute to continuing a legacy of healthy lands, air, and water; thriving people; and resilient communities.

We conduct impactful, high-quality local conservation programs and community projects that engage and empower local com munities and populations that have historically been underrep resented. We create spaces that put inclusion and equity at the center.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The objective of this partnership is to complete important conservation projects while providing young adults with struc tured, safe and challenging work and educational opportunities through service that promote personal growth, the develop ment of life skills, an ethic of natural resource stewardship, and economic and career opportunities. Conservation Legacy works toward making these opportunities available to a consistently diverse group of young people and veterans and to those who could most benefit from the experience.

Projects strengthen America’s most treasured resources—our National Park Service lands and sites—by increasing recreation al access, addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance, restoring habitat, supporting local economies, modernizing infrastructure and restoring community and cultural assets. Preparing the next generation for careers, providing job training and facilitating individual growth are also critical components in all Conservation Legacy partnerships and programs.

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OVERVIEW

Conservation Legacy’s federated structure allows for direct leadership and relationships, between corps and project partner—facilitating nimble decision making and locally focused programming.

Conservation Legacy programs are placed either as corps supervised teams, or through individual resource assistants mentored by our project partners. We serve across the United States and all its territories.

FEDERATED MODEL

Conservation Legacy has adopted a federated model through much research, evaluation and insight, supported by our 20202022 Strategic Plan. We mirror our internal restructuring with the implementation of an endorsed brand architecture.

Conservation Legacy is unique in the outdoor industry. Each of our conservation corps are based in the communities they serve; we recruit staff and participants locally, and each corps program is run by a local corps director who is empowered to administer programs that address local needs. Local conservation corps benefit from Conservation Legacy’s central support services including quality assurance and quality control, technology, training, risk management, communications, human resources and legal and financial services. Conservation Legacy corps directors participate in a community of practice and benefit through sharing and collaboration.

Conservation Legacy is made up of unique programs and program models. Each program and some program models have dedicated local staff serving their communities.

ANCESTRAL LANDS

Leading our Nations back to ecological and cultural wellbeing. The Ancestral Lands Model is rooted in the culture and heritage of local tribal communities. The power and impact of Ancestral Lands programming is due to the community investment and support for each program tribally and locally, combined with the network of operational support from Conservation Legacy. Presently there are many different Ancestral Lands programs operating both nationally and on the local level. The Ancestral Lands program model was established in 2008 based at Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico.

APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

The Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) moves forward from the tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps to engage young people in conservation service projects. Through meaningful work on the land, ACC crew members will develop the ability to work and lead within a crew in a challenging and supportive environment. Over the course of the program, crew members deepen their connection to the local community and landscape as well as the greater conservation movement. Appalachian Conservation Corps centers on growing opportunity from roots in service, community and wild places.

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS

Engaging individuals and strengthening communities through service and conservation, Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) provides young adults with challenging service and educational opportunities throughout the full calendar year. AZCC operates a continuum of programs—from community-based initiatives for younger teens to residential camping crews for high school and college aged individuals along with leadership programs for college graduates and job training programs specifically for cur rent-era veterans. Programs are completed in partnership with public land agency managers and are AmeriCorps programs.

CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO

Since April of 2017, Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) has been operating conservation service programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. Since 1998, Arizona Conservation Corps has worked on projects throughout southern New Mexico. With Conservation Legacy’s commitment to supporting locally based programs and commu nities, southern New Mexico programming and projects have transitioned to CCNM’s locally-based operations out of Las Cru ces, NM, in order to best serve local communities, young people and landscapes in this region.

CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

In 2019, Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) joined the Conservation Legacy family of programs. CCNC strives to cul tivate a new generation of local land stewards. Partnering with land managers to accomplish impactful and lasting conservation service projects, CCNC works to build and support sustainable public access, historical interpretation and ecological health.

SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) operates conservation service programs throughout the Southeast that focus on em powering young people to cultivate compassion, responsibility and grit through community service, hard work and environ mental stewardship. SECC is focused on connecting local youth to the natural environment through service learning, personal development and recreation. SECC offers a variety of opportu nities, including a youth mountain biking program, Trips for Kids Chattanooga, and a variety of Conservation Programs for youth and young adults.

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) operates conservation service programs across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, empowering individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC has broad pro gram offerings including individual intern placements in natural resource positions as well as crew-based conservation service programs for youth, young adults, and current-era Veterans. SCC programs are rooted in the communities served, address ing local public land issues and working to meet local communi ty needs and interests.

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Providing individual opportunities through service that build ca reer-based experience, strengthen communities, and preserve our natural resources, Stewards Individual Placement Program (SIPP) places AmeriCorps and VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). Members in communities across America for a year of volunteer service by facilitating partnerships between federal agencies and community-based nonprofit groups. Unified in mis sion, each participant serves on a specific team distinguished by its unique focus and relevant federal agency partner affiliation.

PRESERVE AMERICA YOUTH SUMMIT

The Preserve America Youth Summit (PAYS) program began in 2007 with the goal of creating an opportunity for young people aged 13 to 18 to get out of the classroom and into the field to learn about history, archaeology, heritage tourism and pres ervation. Interacting directly with community partners such as federal, state and local governments and agencies as well as non-profit historic preservation, tourism, community and edu cation organizations, each Youth Summit provides interactive, outcome-driven learning experiences and service opportunities.

PROGRAM SUCCESS

C ONSERVATION LEGACY’S EVOLUTION AS AN ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN IN DIRECT CONJUNCTION WITH OUR GROWING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. As the NPS works towards preserving the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations, we are honored to play a role in the fulfillment of that effort.

In 2022, we selected over 1,270 youth, young adults and veter ans from a wealth of diverse backgrounds as we continued grow our service and conservation programs in cooperation with NPS to expose new segments of the population to public service and conservation careers while furthering their understanding and appreciation of our Nation’s natural and cultural resources.

We continue to provide high quality training, personal and professional growth and real on the job work experience through meaningful conservation opportunities. In addition to the significant amount of work our participants completed, we also provided educational programs to increase knowledge of the environment and to develop the next generation of stewards with a deep appreciation for our public lands.

⊲ INNOVATION

Co nservation Legacy is committed to innovating new ways to build your legacy through conservation service. We establish a culture of innovation, so Conservation Legacy is at its core always committed to continuous improvement and benefits of adaptive change. We facilitate opportunities for local innovation by supporting staff with structure and funding to try new and creative ideas.

⊲ INCLUSION

C onservation Legacy ensures that our members, participants, staff, and communities we serve can connect with each other in an inclusive environment. We are building staff culture needed to support organization-wide DEI efforts by requiring a five hour cultural competency training, identifying priority demographics, DEI engagement indicators, and DEI-related policies/practices. We provide all people with the opportunity to connect with others in affinity spaces.

⊲ IMPACT

Co nservation Legacy is making an impact and building resiliency in communities and ecosystems across America. We work to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change in our communities, implementing work to mitigate the catastrophic effects including fire and flood mitigation and drought resilience. We engage and empower participants to return to their communities as leaders for environmental change.

PROGRAM MODELS

NATIONAL PROGRAM MODELS

Affinity Crews

We provide all people with the opportunity to connect with others and contribute to a legacy of healthy lands and thriving people in an inclusive environment. Programming to support affinity groups includes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA+, People with disabilities, Veterans, People who are deaf and hard of hearing and Women.

Community Volunteer Ambassador Program

The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) program is a 50week professional internship experience managed in partner ship by the National Park Service and the Stewards Individual Placement Program. CVA members support volunteer programs by expanding volunteerism, service-learning, community en gagement efforts and increasing the sustainability of established programs. Ambassadors focus on a number of core objectives, including building enduring relationships with local communities, increasing park volunteerism opportunities, improving disaster response processes and helping to organize community stew ardship days.

Veterans Fire Corps

The Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) engages recent era veterans on priority hazardous fuels and prescribed burn projects while developing the next generation of wildland firefighters.

Scientists-in-the-Park

The Scientists-in-the-park (SIP) program works with partners to match college students and recent graduates aged 18 - 35 years old with short-term, paid, internships with the National Park Service. Participants may assist with research, synthesis of scientific literature, geologic mapping, GIS analysis, site evalua tions, resource inventorying and monitoring, impact mitigation, developing brochures and informative media presentations, and educating park staff and park visitors.

Historic Preservation Training Center

The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) and Stewards Individual Placement Program partnership provides training and experience for young adults and veterans interested in the historic preservation trades. Members gain skills while helping to preserve the historic structures, monuments, and memorials throughout the park system, as well as addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects. Through three signature programs—the Veteran Trades Apprenticeship Program, the Traditional Trades Youth Initiative and the Preservation Work Experience—the HPTC and Stewards are helping to train a future workforce in specialized building trades and historic preservation.

COVID-19 PREVENTION AND MITIGATION

The safety of our participants, staff, and partners has been our utmost priority. In early 2020, we quickly activated an Incident Man agement Team (IMT) dedicated to addressing the impact of COVID-19 on our organization. Through the pandemic, this dedicated group of staff has managed new policies and protocols for staff and field-based work. As an organization, we had to pivot and inno vate in the face of a pandemic, and we continue to do so, adapting as needed. Our IMT continues to monitor and update safety pol icies as we move forward. With the introduction of several vaccines readily available to our staff and participants, we are dedi cated to following federal and local guidance and requirements around vaccines, encouraging our staff and participants to get a vaccin e, if able. Conservation Legacy programs were up and running at 100% in 2021 and 2022.

COVID-19 forced a shift in operations for Conservation Legacy but also presented an opportunity to come together for collaboration and future development. During the pandemic, our corps programs had the opportunity to strengthen connections with local projec t partners through collaborative planning and adapting to ever-changing circumstances. With our partners, we have been able to su p port telework and remote service positions, have improved risk management at site facilities, and offered professional developme nt opportunities that continue to offer impact and meaningful experience to our participants.

We recognize that we still have an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and are paying careful attention to the guid ance, policies and procedures that we are implementing during this time, working with our partners to maintain the safety of our participants and staff. We continue to align with partner and CDC policies and protocols around prevention and vaccinations.

ANCESTRAL LANDS

ANCESTRAL LANDS CONSERVATION CORPS NATIVE CONSERVATION CORPS

This program provides opportunities to Indigenous youth for ca reer shadowing in natural resource stewardship and protection, along with recreational experiences at multiple National Park Service (NPS) units including El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park. Two crews consisting of Hopi, Diné (Navajo), and Pueblo of Isleta youth worked for 7 weeks each, completing important conservation and citizen science projects at the parks, including trail maintenance at ELMA’s El Calderon Trail, aquatic insect surveys, monitoring bat activity, collecting dragonfly larvae, removing noxious weeds, and assisting GRCA nursery staff. The program’s highlight was a 10-day motorized boat trip down the Colorado River in GRCA.

This program helps the community by brining Indigenous young people to National Parks, usually for the first time, to learn about these culturally significant areas, careers with the NPS, and to complete important conservation projects. Reconnecting these young people with the lands helps them develop their con servation ethics and affinity for natural spaces and helps them explore careers in natural and cultural resources.

“Few Indigenous youth are able to journey to Grand Canyon for many reasons, including barriers to transportation, financial means, and accessibility. Our goal through the Native Conser vation Corps is to provide a pathway to bring under served Indigenous youth to Grand Canyon and involve them in con servation projects in an effort to keep their legacy as stewards alive and well,” states Ed Keable, Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent.

WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT

Working in partnership with NPS and the University of Penn sylvania, and with funding from the Getty Foundation and NPS, ALCC crews will work to stabilize and protect Ancestral sites at Wupatki National Monument. This is a three-year grant and will not only engage the participants in preservation, but will also include mentor ship from UPenn and NPS staff in career oppor tunities in historic preservation. As descendants of the original builders of these sites, it also brings Zuni participants back to a culturally significant site that their ancestors created generations ago.

ALCC has worked to develop a relationship with the Zuni Tribe and the Zuni Cultural Resource Advisory Team (ZCRAT). Work ing at sites like WUPA provides the lineal descendants of the original architects and builders of these sites the opportunity to direct and inform the practices and approaches taken to protect them. ALCC crew members connect with important sites, make prayers to their ancestors; and learn from cultural advisors and experts as well as academic and agency professionals.

As described in the article, NPS has not always utilized culturally appropriate methods to preserve and protect Ancestral Indige nous sites. By working with Tribal officials (Zuni Administration, ZCRAT) and bringing descendants of the original builders of these sites to work on them, we are ensuring that Indigenous methods and perspectives are utilized in protecting these sites. This work entails much more than just adding mortar or replacing stones, and when ALCC participants commune with the site and their ancestors, it centers their lifeways and original teachings.

This project is even more critical in the face of a dramatically changing climate. The extreme weather events and changes to local weather patterns are impacting the Ancestral sites at WUPA. The crews worked alongside NPS staff and University of Pennsylvania faculty and graduate students to stabilize the site to better withstand severe weather events.

WEROWOCOMOCO

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail’s Werowocomoco Ancestral Lands Corps is comprised of three individual placements which includes one lead position. 2022 marks our third class and we created the lead position as a means of having a peer leader to assist the new placements with peer guidance.

Werowocomoco is an important Virginia Indian site along the York River. More than 400 years before English settlers estab lished Jamestown, Werowocomoco had been an important Powhatan Indian town. Werowocomoco, translated from the Virginia Algonquian language, means “place of leadership”. As an archaeological site, Werowocomoco was confirmed in 2002, nearly 400 years after the Indian leader paramount chief Powha tan and his people interacted with Jamestown leaders here and at Jamestown. Werowocomoco.

During October and November 2021, one lead intern and two other interns continued their service work and completed their terms for year two of the Werowocomoco Individual Placement Program. During their time, they shadowed each department of the Colonial National Historical Park to be educated on natural and cultural resource management, and then took their skills to apply to Werowocomoco.

One of the interns accepted the lead intern position for the 2022 program and returned for a second term. During the re mainder of the reporting period, the lead intern continued work at Werowocomoco in relation to cultural and natural resource management including land surveying, geographical surveys, archaeology, and shoreline rehabilitation.

Werowocomoco was a space of importance for many of the eastern Virginia tribes for generations. Now that the location has been rediscovered, it has been able to bring together Virginia tribes as well as the federal government and local non-profits, all with the same goal of conserving and learning more about the area. The Individual Placement program hires young indigenous community members to be a part of the project, bringing their own cultural identity and skills to the project, and taking away lessons that they can apply to other jobs relating to tribal land management.

This project created four jobs for young people who are getting their start in the conservation field. Members are paid above minimum wage and will put money back into the local community.

The goal of this project is to engage Virginia’s tribes in the rediscovery and protection of Werowocomoco, a historic native place along the York River. The Individual Placement program recruits and hires with a preference towards people who identify as indigenous to ensure that their experience and perspectives are helping guide the project. Environmental work such as coastline rehabilitation, invasive species removal, and geo graphical surveys are being done with consultation from local tribal groups.

Through first hand experience, training, professional develop ment, and certifications, this project helps to develop future conservation leaders passionate about the environment and addressing the issues affecting it.

“I now have gained more of a cultural background that I didn’t have going into the program,” says individual placement Kalen Anderson. “I now have a shift in focus for environmental science for my area of studies in the future. I want to work with my tribe in doing active shoreline restoration and management. The pro gram has provided me with the resources and people that will always be available for any needed guidance going forward in my career. I would tell anyone interested in what I do to network and be open to anyone willing to educate, help, or offer their personal skills and knowledge.”

Of Kalen’s time at Werowocomoco, his supervisor Christine Lucero says “He is eager to share his knowledge—whether it be cultural or technical —with anyone he comes into contact with. You can tell how deeply he cares about his heritage and the land in which he wants to take care of. Kalen is already extreme ly involved with his tribe, the Nansemond, and throughout this internship, he absorbed a variety of knowledge from the various projects and trainings through a lens of how it can be applied within his tribal community.”

ARIZONA CONSERVATION

CORPS

INDIGENOUS YOUTH LEAD HISTORIC PRESERVATION

In the fall of 2021 Conservation Legacy, Arizona Conservation Corps in partnership with Casa Grande Ruins National Monu ment (CAGR) worked together to provide Native young adults with training and project work experiences that addressed main tenance of prehistoric and historic resources at the National Monument while exposing the members to current techniques in historic preservation.

During this first two-week hitch the crew restored adobe on the park historic structures and constructed soil beds for future pollinator plants. The crew spent another 10 weeks working with park staff and volunteers to repair and restore various park structures. The crew continued the restoration of adobe ruins, made pottery, encapsulated two large rooms in the compound adjacent to the Great House, and installed six garden beds.

This project engaged young adults from the Tohono O’odham Nation in cultural project activities that exposed them to ele ments of their history and culture. It also provided participants an opportunity to learn and receive hands on training in various aspects of management and historic preservation within the NPS system. These historic preservation skills are badly needed as the agency loses technical expertise and cultural knowledge through retirements and attrition.

This project meets the public purpose in several ways. The Tohono O’odham crew received training in the principles of the Standards of Historic Preservation with NPS staff. Participants participated in a workshop conducted by Cornerstone Com munity Partnership and learned hands-on traditional trades and skills on historic park resources. This work benefits the park re sources and the public by getting work done on the backlogged and cyclic maintenance on the parks prehistoric and historic earthen architecture.

OOH! AHH! THE GRAND CANYON

The objective of this project was to complete important conser vation trail projects, provide young adults with structured, safe, and challenging work and educational opportunities through employment projects that promote personal growth, the devel opment of life skills, and an ethic of natural resource steward ship.

AZCC provided an individual placement to serve as a trail crew intern and liaison to Grand Canyon National Park staff for 18 weeks to accomplish the following: serve as liaison between NPS staff and the trail crew, work with NPS and AZCC trail crews, help line out the crew project each hitch, provide addi tional support as needed, complete all required reports.

AZCC provided a trail crew for a total of 19 weeks to start and complete a section of the South Kaibab Trail Ooh Ahh Point. This work was assisted by a mule train on their commute up and down the trail into the Canyon. The crew accomplished this work by chiseling and shaping limestone rocks and installing them to add rip rap to the trail tread. By installing the rip rap it raised the trail tread and the crew was able to adjust the rise over run of the trail steps to make it safer for the mules to walk on. Only two hitches were competed in this reporting season but in total for this project, 4,675 hours of national service was competed by AZCC members, and 2.5 miles of trail on Ooh Ahh Pint has been improved.

This trail is a major artery and access point in the Grand Canyon Trail system. Mule teams are an essential component of support for workers throughout the Canyon. By improving the safety of pack support, this project helped reduce travel time and improved access and safety for these pack support resources enhancing the experience and productivity of staff engaged in many projects within the Canyon.

SUMMER IN SHENANDOAH

This crew spent over 2,000 work hours in Shenandoah Na tional Park this year, primarily focused on clearing trail corridor and maintaining drainage structures. Over the course of their season, they cleaned more than 200 drainage structures and removed 40 downed trees from over 40 miles of trail, much of it in Wilderness areas of the Park. As the closest National Park to our nation’s capital, Shenandoah welcomes a high volume of guests and trail users and holds itself to a high standard when presenting those trails to the public. Shenandoah is one of ACC’s longest-running partnerships and we are always thrilled to be a part of keeping their trails open and well maintained.

A brief survey of online trail reviews from Shenandoah will turn up many references to the beautiful views, but also mentions of overgrown trail and downed trees. Shenandoah’s large trail system and its high proportion of legacy trails with high-mainte nance drainage structures makes it difficult to keep up with trail maintenance, even for the well-trained and exceptional Shenan doah trails staff (a staff which includes some of ACC’s former crew members). The capacity building provided by ACC crews allows this Park and its high-use trails to best serve the com munity, while providing opportunities for young adults to build a connection to public lands and perform meaningful national service.

This crew was led by our long-time Shenandoah Youth Corps leader, who successfully led his first adult crew. The crew members included two former youth members who returned to complete terms with ACC this summer. We are proud to see this growth and progress in our members and leaders as we work to develop the next generation of public land stewards!

CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

BUILDING IN THE BLUE RIDGE

CCNC supported an affinity crew of color composed of three African American and two Latinx young adult members to complete restoration projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Tanawha Trail and at Cape Lookout’s historic Portsmouth Village. The CCNC crew demonstrated that an affinity crew model is a successful way to engage more people of color in National Park stewardship. The crew’s work is inspiring the creation of similar affinity crews. The crew also inspired volunteers of color to use their national public lands and become part of the National Park Service.

The project addresses severe erosion issues that impact the safety of Tanawha Trail and the preservation of the fragile moun tain ecosystem surrounding the trail. The Tanawha Trail is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most popular trails. Each year hun dreds of thousands of people visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway visitors and from surrounding communities hike the trail.

The crew’s volunteer days educated community members about the threats to the Tanawha trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Through the crew’s leadership, a new generation of young adults engaged in trail building, learned about the Blue Ridge Parkway, and were trained in sustainable trail building.

The crew affinity model provides a safe and welcoming space for black and Hispanic young adults to be in a National Park, contributes to National Park Service stewardship, and supports members in earning credentials to become natural resource agency employees. The 18 weeks of project work provided each crew members with Public Land Corps preferred hiring status. The members also earned community college credit from McDowell Technical Community College for an on-site trails con struction course they completed, S-212 Chainsaw certification and Wilderness First-Aid certification. One member of the crew now works full-time for Conservation Legacy, another started their own outdoor business, and two work in natural resource agencies.

The Blue Ridge Parkway generates $1.4 Billion in economic activity in the Parkway’s surrounding communities. The Tanawha Trail is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most visited trails. The crew’s work to address the trail’s highest priority erosion issue will preserve the trail as an economic engine. The Tanawha Trail erosion project and the Cape Lookout historic restoration project were both necessary because of increases in the severity and frequency of hurricanes. Trail erosion is accel erating on the Blue Ridge Parkway because of larger and more frequent rain events. Portsmouth Village cabins are suffering from increased flooding on the island, larger amounts of saltwa ter intrusion, and more damaging winds.

Over the last five or more years, the Tanawha Trail has been impacted by more flood events because of more severe and fre quent tropical storms and hurricane rain events. Tropical storm Fred and Hurricane Ida did historically significant damage to the region and the trail in the fall of 2021 when water from Grand father Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountain range, rushed down the mountain causing landslides and severe erosion of the Tanawha Trail. Trail restoration work is imperative to ensure the trail can sustain continued high visitor use and the impact of climate change in this highly vulnerable mountain ecosystem.

The United Nations recognizes Grandfather Mountain as an International Biosphere Preserve of global importance because of the way its elevation has protected centuries of species adapting to climate change. Tanawha trail restoration is need ed immediately to ensure visitors on this trail do not threaten Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding area’s fragile eco system that is a refuge for species trying to adapt to the region’s rapidly warming environment.

-Jordan "Lynx" Brown, Crew Member

DISPATCH: WOMEN’S+ SAW CREW

Imagine waking up at 4:45 am in the dead of winter, gazing at the vivid sunrise on the ocean with a sharp sea breeze whip ping across your face. Though harsh, the wind offers a sweet but fleeting reprieve from the unrelenting mosquito swarms that dominate this small barrier island. Welcome to Portsmouth Village, part of Cape Lookout National Seashore! This is what a typical morning looks like for Conservation Corps North Caroli na’s Women’s+ Advanced Saw Crew.

This eight-person crew spanned the winter months of November to March, working along the coast of North Carolina, at Cape Lookout NS, Cape Hatteras NS, and the Wright Brothers NM. The crew had the opportunity to work directly on the beach, in salt marshes, pine forests, cypress groves and were even ferried via boat to an island. The main scope of the project work was clearing hurricane-damaged areas, including snags and salt-killed trees.

“We found every region and every park had its own way of doing things,” said Ann Sergeant. “It is an awesome experience as a young person to have the experience of coming to a place you haven’t worked before and have to adapt to how they do things. It is really important to have your way of thinking and do ing things challenged.” Completion of NPS maintenance projects made the crew more aware of the importance of the work and the impacts it had on them. “This kind of experience means something different to every one,” reflected Allison Lincoln. “It can change lives. You get out here and it alters your life. You start to care about the land, community, and places more.”

In the beginning of the season, the crew leaders focused on bringing everyone up to a higher cutting level in order to safely cut dead and complicated trees. Crew member Erin Murr credits the crew dynamic as a big part of why she was able to master doing more difficult work. “Being on this crew has meant a lot to me. It’s given me the space to grow my technical felling skills, and as a crew, we worked together to challenge and help build each other up throughout the season.”

The crew found it interesting and heartbreaking to see the impact of climate change at Cape Lookout. Part of the work at this NPS site was clearing salt killed cedar and pine trees that presented a hazard to Portsmouth Village’s historic buildings. The trees were victims of saltwater intrusion made worse by in creases in the number and intensity of storms, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures impacting the site.

“It was a very sobering experience,” said Nola Versfelt. “We learned the Village won’t be there in another 25 to 30 years. This was a place we got to see, but others won’t. The island was absolutely incredible and beautiful.”

Every member on this crew had previous conservation corps experience, which allowed them to hit the ground running. Crew member Laura Schimmel said: “This is my third term and this crew was unique in the complexity of the scope of work. We didn’t have to learn how to camp or run a chainsaw, which allowed us to dive into the more technical skilled trainings right away. As a result, my technical abilities improved in a way that I doubt I could have otherwise achieved. Truly impressive.”

Crew member Harley Craddock found the affinity space to be helpful for skill-building: “This Women’s+ crew is void of ego. The skills we’ve learned this season have been historically exclusive to men, which doesn’t always create an environment conducive to learning. Instead of learning, you’re constantly try ing to assert yourself and prove you deserve to be in the space. We all support each other and want to see everyone succeed, which makes an incredible and productive learning environ ment. This crew has boosted my confidence and competence in chainsaw work. If this had not been an affinity crew I would not have grown as much personally and professionally, and the growth I’ve seen in myself has been remarkable.”

As the season came to a close, every member secured their next job, moving either into corps leadership and staff positions or seasonal jobs with government agencies. Crew member Lela Waite said: “Each member of this crew ended their season with a B sawyer skill set and the gracious opportunity for a B certification. Gaining a solid footing in the disciplines of felling, bucking, and rigging has provided us with a competitive edge for the more sought after positions of conservation and federal service. I do believe that this crew is a career-maker for women and non-binary individuals.”

“I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS CREW IS A CAREER-MAKER FOR WOMEN AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS.”

-Lela Waite, Crew Member

SOUTHEAST

REHABILITATION OF RAMSEY

The purpose of this project is to complete the full-scale reha bilitation of Ramsey Cascades Trail in The Great Smoky Moun tains National Park. The trail is in a dire state of disrepair. Trail deficiencies include decaying foot logs and foot bridges, heavily exposed roots and rocks, social trails and braids and existing trail structures (stone staircases, water diversion structures, turnpikes) that are failing and in need of replacement. All these problems have contributed to safety hazards for hikers and increased hiker impact which is damaging park resources. The current condition of the trail also makes it difficult for the park rescue teams to evacuate injured hikers safely. The NPS trail crew will train and mentor the Southeast Conservation Corps to assist us on repairing the trail deficiencies, add more trail drainages, and to ultimately create a much more well defined and sustainable trail.

The primary goal of this project are to repair the trail deficien cies by adding new water diversion structures, blocking off social trails and braids, repairing or replacing dilapidated trail structures, and building new trail structures as needed.

The expected result of the project is to have a safer and more sustainable trail. The result of the work should decrease the amount of hiker injuries therefor fewer carry outs by the NPS Rescue Teams. Trail improvements will also allow more hikers (who won’t hike it now due to its current condition) the chance to hike the Trail and enjoy viewing Ramsey Cascades. Other results will be less resource damage and less impact outside of the trail corridor. Hikers are currently walking around trail hazards and obstacles creating braids. Once the trail is repaired and better-defined hikers will stay on the desired path.

Of the experience, crew leader Jarrod Stanely says “my favorite experience so far would probably have to be working along side the NPS Trails Forever Crew and helping construct multiple rock staircases and work with the grip hoist to maneuver extremely large rocks into something that in the end result looks like it has been in place for many years prior. Working with SECC trail crew with people who at the beginning of the season are complete strangers coming from very different backgrounds, to becoming friends who work, eat, and do most things together has definite ly been an eye opening experience. It has allowed me to grow as a person and to better understand how to deal with my emo tions and work with others in an environment that challenges us on a daily basis.”

ARCHAEOLOGY CREWS DIG THE ISLAND

This year, Southeast Conservation Corps’ Archaeology crews worked to survey and excavate historic slave settlements on Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The first crew conducted section 106 compliance shovel testing of an un-surveyed area ~480m X 280m. The crew continued to excavate a 2x1 meter unit based on survey results, finding roughly 50 artifacts. They created a map to plot shovel test pits onto, and shovel tested 188 units overall. Crew also had the opportunity to record and relocate turtle nests

The second crew weeded and cleared brush from the Dunge ness and Rec Center ruins. They then established a new shovel test grid of 220x140 meters looking for evidence of slave cabins in the area. They shovel tested 115 points on this grid, and washed the artifacts.

They initially worked with the Southeast Archaeological Center (SEAC) to assist with shovel testing. The crew then moved on to create our own grid and shovel test it in another region near Plum Orchard, with screening and artifact collection being done by the crew. Grave site and gravestone restoration

Youth have completed archaeological and other activities asso ciated with laying trails and trail maintenance to increase public access to recreational opportunities. This work helps employ youth, support resources management and protection of NPS lands, and increase recreational opportunities for the public. This work has increased curiosity and interest from the commu nity about the island’s culture and environment.

“I have enjoyed learning the basics of shovel test surveying, up-keeping historic ruins, and clearing artifacts,” said crew member Jack Ronayne. “I loved uncovering deer bone dice left by Indigenous people in the area and uncovering a road at the ruins of Dungeness and Rec Center. I am most proud of survey ing tracts of Maritime Forest for archaeological artifacts.”

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION

CORPS

LOCAL YOUTH, LOCAL PARK: AZTEC RUINS

During their time at Aztec Ruins National Monument, the SCC Youth Crew performed various maintenance tasks around the park. They widened and weeded trails, weeded ruins and planted desert resilient trees to help restore habitat. The crew was able to work in ruins that are closed to public and received educational lessons every day from park employees. Despite 100-degree weather, the crew persevered to complete their project work and spoke very highly of their two weeks there. They spoke to how much they learned about the environment including how fragile it is and how important our impact on the environment is. All of the members are local to the Four Corners region, so AZRU is in their backyard, but having the opportunity to be immersed at the Park for two weeks helped them learn more about the history of the area they live in.

The leaders spoke very highly of the partners at AZRU, saying “Dana from Aztec was incredible. She Was very flexible, listened to the crew's needs, and great with connecting with the youth crew. The project was great because the variety of jobs kept the crew interested and motivated.”

SCC’s Youth Conservation Crew program provides meaning ful paid summer opportunities for local teens, paying teens minimum wage while imparting and developing skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, risk assessment and mitigation, hands on conservation skills, tool and personal protective equipment use, outdoor living and cooking skills, project management, etc., and often provides experience that when included on a resume helps alumni secure employment or academic opportunities.

From the partner, Dana Hawkins: “It was great to have a youth crew in the park again, we would support another youth crew in the future.” This project serves to reengage the Park, after sev eral slower years of project work due to the pandemic, in a part nership to serve local youth from the communities that surround the Park. These opportunities create connections between the local communities and the Park, and position the National Park Service as an economic beneficiary of the community, and help local teens and their families appreciate the resources open to the public at the Park.”

All SCC YCC participants are paid minimum wages, and partic ipation in the program is an opportunity for crew members to earn wages while developing marketable job skills, positioning alumni for future wage earnings. Teens are a target underrepre sented population at SCC and demographics are representative of the communities served in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico.

WE’VE GOT SAND IN OUR BOOTS!

Southwest Conservation Corps, Los Valles Region partnered with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to sup port three Individual Placements. These three members served with the Interpretation and Visitor Services branch at the park. During their time at the park these individuals assisted with visi tor center operations, informal interpretation, and supported the Junior Ranger Program.

Two of the interns were able to experience the park during its highest visitor use season. They assisted with visitor service operations and informal interpretation. They also created and presented their own interpretive ranger program, a hike and talk about the Crestone Crater, and a porch talk about the Native American use of the sand dunes. These members also partic ipated in multiple community programs including the Alamosa Library Program and National Night Out.

Great Sand Dunes has seen a significant increase in visitation in the last four years and they are looking towards innovative ways to enhance and improve visitor experience through virtual inter actions, digital media, and customer service. Great Sand Dunes develops multiple internship opportunities each year, recruiting from the local community to create a deeper connection to the park while also providing meaningful work for the next genera tion of young professionals. This year specifically, these individ ual placements assisted and participated in multiple community events. These events help inform youth and adults about the natural and cultural resources that lie in their own backyard.

Two of our three members serving this year identify as part of underrepresented populations. For Jaiden, this was particularly impactful as he is from the Jicarilla Apache tribe and the Sand Dunes are identified as a historic place for his people. With this he was interested in creating a porch talk to inform visitors how previous peoples had inhabited and utilized the Great Sand Dunes landscape. Overall, having members of underrepre

sented populations in these forward-facing positions helps to show visitors of all backgrounds that they have a place with the National Parks.

Community education is key in enacting climate mitigation. These members help to create an understanding of and passion for the resources within these communities, which help local residents form a deeper connection to the land and resources. With this understanding and connection, comes greater support for resource protection.

In addition to the intern program, the SCC Leaders of Color crew completed work on the Sand Ramp Trail in Great Sand Dunes National Park as part of their last trail project before moving onto the crosscut portion of their program. The Leaders of Color crew, which provides an affinity space for BIPOC young adults ages 18-30, developed skills in trail construction during this project. This in turn prepares young adults of color for careers in natural resources, including those within the National Park Service.

The Sand Ramp Trail provides access through Great Sand Dunes National Park between the Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience multiple converging ecosystems. The reestablish ment of the Sand Ramp Trail also helps to divert visitors from heavily impacted and visited areas of the National Park to be able to have quieter experiences within what has become a heavily visited National Park.

The Great Sand Dunes has experienced a rapid increase in visitors since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to significant human impact on a critical and fragile ecosystem. Re-establishing the Sand Ramp Trail ensures that visitors will stay on the trail, protecting nearby delicate ecosystems. The more intact an ecosystem is, the better it is able to withstand the impacts of climate change.

“AS A LATINO WHO WASN’T ABLE TO EXPLORE NATIONAL PARKS GROWING UP, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE LEADERS OF COLOR CREW OPENED ME, NOT ONLY TO THE EXPERIENCE OF VISITING, BUT BEING ABLE TO CONNECT DIRECTLY TO THE LAND AND HISTORY OF THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE US VIA THE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION WORK WE DO.”

-Jacob Vasquez, Crew Member

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

YES TO DISABILITY ACCESS IN THE PARKS

Launched in the spring of 2021, The Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) Initiative, sought to solidify a sustainable model for direct employment and talent development of people with disabilities in land management and conservation programming to ensure people of all abilities are included in the conversation and the solution. Unlike many Corps initiatives, the YES program was built to become obsolete; rather than creating a struc tured space where only those from the disability’s community could enter, the YES initiative strives to identify best practices, implement lasting change, and open up sustainable, adequate, and accessible service opportunities in any project or program Conservation Legacy supports.

All of these AmeriCorps service positions, placed within Con servation Legacy local programs and National Park Service sites, allowed interested participants to take on service tasks from virtual engagement to ADA compliance and interpretive programming to park ground usability. Still others were able to make impacts on the land, structures, and trails of these public spaces. The common service duty thread amongst all of these opportunities lies in helping Conservation Legacy staff in shaping, innovating, and strengthening its processes to recruit, retain, engage, and continue to open up Corps spaces to all.

-Aleksandr “Sasha” Johnson, YES member, National Heritage Area

In 2022, ten individual placements and twelve crew members are serving or have served in California, Texas, Michigan, Mary land, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia as YES Ini tiative members. Nine of the YES members identify as disabled, with the remaining three engaged in supporting the service and accommodations of the others. In total these individuals have completed 6,244 hours of national service, maintained nearly eleven miles of trail, engaged thousands of local and visiting stakeholders both disabled and abled, and improved the pro cesses by which Conservation Legacy engages those who hope to be a part of conservation corps work.

All of these AmeriCorps service positions, placed within National Park Service sites, allowed interested participants to take on service tasks from virtual engagement to ADA compliance and Interpretive programming to park ground usability. Still others were able to make impacts on the land, structures, and trails of these public spaces. The common service duty thread amongst all of these opportunities lies in helping Conservation Legacy staff in shaping, innovating, and strengthening its processes to recruit, retain, engage, and continue to open up Corps spaces to all.

The Youth Empowerment Stewards Initiative, sought to solidify a sustainable model for direct employment and talent devel opment of people with disabilities in land management and conservation programming to ensure people of all abilities are included in the conversation and the solution. Unlike many Corps initiatives, the YES program was built to become obso lete; rather than creating a structured space where only those from the disability’s community could enter, the YES initiative strives to identify best practices, implement lasting change, and open up sustainable, adequate, and accessible service opportu nities in any project or program Conservation Legacy supports.

"I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THAT IT CONTINUES TO HELP SHAPE MY PATH INTO THE WORLD OUT OF COLLEGE.

I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE PATH IS MUCH LESS LINEAR AND DIRECT THAN I THOUGHT AND THAT THERE IS MORE FLEXIBILITY, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.”

STEWARDS VISTA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

This year, Stewards Individual Placements is celebrating their 20th year of serving impoverished communities by building local capacity, promoting economic development, fostering environmental stewardship, conducting outreach and education, and providing professional development experiences through AmeriCorps VISTA programming. Supporting over 1,200 VISTA members since 2002 and growing from a regional program to a national VISTA placement program, Stewards Individual Place ments is excited reflect on its accomplishments so far and look to the impact its members will make into the future. The Stew ards Individual Placement VISTA program is one of the longest running VISTA programs in the country.

National Environmental Education Foundation

Beginning in Fall of 2021, the Stewards National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) VISTA program is a new initia tive between Stewards Individual Placements and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) composed of three VISTA sites: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Gateway National Recreation Area, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each VISTA placement in this cohort has the goal of providing academic enrichment through extracurricular STEM programs that include STEM skills development and career exploration, for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged K-12 student populations.

Stewards NEEF VISTAs serve with programs at select National Park Service sites and their adjacent communities. Stewards VISTAs assist with capacity building, poverty alleviation, advanc ing STEM education goals, and other duties such as building STEM-based programming for local schools, assist in digital engagement efforts to keep community members informed on program updates, and gather ideas and opportunities from par ticipants for growth.

Stewards NEEF VISTA Faith Nowak successfully secured $15,000 in grant funding. This increased funding for the park and its activities benefits the park’s economy by increasing the amount of available programming, and assists in local econom ic development by alleviating the cost of attendance typically associated with programming and activities hosted by these members.

Each Stewards NEEF VISTA site focuses on environmental justice not only through the curriculum the members develop, which is informed by the Greening STEM model that NEEF utiliz es, but also through its DEI/inclusion focus. In other words, while the backbone of these projects are informed from an environ mental justice focus, projects also focus on bringing out diverse populations to the parks. For example, Joelle Boyle, who serves as the Stewards NEEF VISTA with Gateway National Park, works with PS 38 in Brooklyn, New York, to bring children to the park or lessons from the park to the school. In this way, the projects support both these efforts by providing STEM based learning activities while focusing on diverse populations.

The Greening STEM model incorporates climate justice prin ciples and ultimately encourages youth to engage with their local environment in ways that positively impact mitigation. For example, Faith Nowak’s service with Cuyahoga Valley National Park saw her supporting data collection for local vole popula tions. This was in response to a massive tree-planting endeavor hosted by the park, and the voles have a negative impact on the growth of the trees. By supporting student-scientists to go and plant the trees, monitor vole activity, and then report back that impact, Faith’s service directly contributes to climate change mit igation by providing the next generation with the baseline tools they will need in order to conduct this work.

STEWARDS

INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

QUENTIN IKUTA: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AMBASSADOR

Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) member Quentin Iku ta’s project work focused on developing and promoting various site initiative centered around community engagement and volunteerism. The projects he worked on included developing and executing Volunteers in Parks habitat restoration events, Black, Indigenous, People of Color outdoors events, science and research surveys and sampling, and community volunteer events. Over the course of his service, Quentin identified and addressed the need for outreach efforts to focus on connecting with people of color and making them feel welcome and invest ed in the park. Quentin achieved this by serving as a role model for those visiting the park and advocating to increased diversity, inclusion, and equity among park staff.

Quentin’s work has positively affected the community by continuing the work and efforts of previous CVA Tamara Few in inviting and encouraging people of color to be present in outdoor settings. Through his efforts Native American peoples are beginning to find their place in the park and feel welcome to be a part of its narrative. Quentin also worked to make other people of color not only feel welcome in outdoor settings, but also feel empowered to play a role in shaping the space.

The CVA Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to local communities. In FY21, 67 young professionals served as CVA members at NPS sites across the country. These CVAs supporting the Volunteer-inParks programs at NPS sites by hosting events, developing partnerships, engaging local communities, and building resources.

CJ’s project includes, assisting with the refurbishment of the Kapalaoa Cabin, an historic building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. This cabin has been utilized by generations of local families when they journey into the Haleak ala Wilderness. The second project will consist of reconstructing an historic footbridge located at Paliku on the edge of the East Maui rainforest. A part of these projects CJ has the opportuni ty to learn carpentry and masonry skills as well as roughhewn timber building techniques.

Their current project the reconstruction of a historic footbridge located at Paliku on the edge of the East Maui rainforest is relied upon to provide local and tourist access throughout the park. The other project CJ will be a part of is the refurbishment of the Kapalaoa Cabin, an historic building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. This cabin has been used by generations of local families when they journey into the Hale akala Wilderness. Hiking and Camping in the Backcountry Cabin are the two major draws to this national park and by maintaining these features the local economy can continue to benefit from the tourism they draw.

CJ is serving as an Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) Member at Haleakala National Park, both IYSC and HALE have identified that creating and providing opportunities for native youth are a priority. In addition to the outstanding work he is doing in the field, CJ has played an integral part in two rescue operations involving visitors to the park, receiving a letter of commendation from the park for his efforts.

CJ: BACKCOUNTRY PRESERVATIONIST

RACHEL: ECO MONITOR

Rachel Sperry spent much of the summer working on Long Term Ecological monitoring sites in the front county of Denali National park. There were sites at the treeline, permafrost, riparian and forested areas.

Rachel is most proud of being part of a 10-day backcountry vegetation survey near Sourdough Peak, in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. She was a part of a three-person, all-woman crew surveying the vegetation for the first time in documented history. Her leading roles were to help set up the plot cardinally with reel tapes and pins, then to take photos of everything, so when the landscape has changed and the plot is resurveyed it may be about to be replicated as precisely as possible. One of Rachel’s favorite parts was how the vegetation phenology changed with different aspects. For example, it helped her learn what such plants look like flowing and then when it has gone to seed. Said Rachel of this experience, “It was an incredible trip on sacred ground that brought peace to my soul as well as confidence in my skills.”

Much of Rachel’s work was dedicated to protecting and mon itoring the vegetation of one of the most untouched parks in the world. Without the work of Rachel and her team, we would not have a good grasp on the well being of one of the most beautiful and wild parks in the country. Understanding the health of these important places helps to guide our park use and what level of community access should continue to be allowed in the spaces. Keeping a pulse on these spaces allows us to care for them in the ways they need in order to allow the community to enjoy them long term.

Sydney Curnes served as a Landscape Architecture Fellow through the Community & Outdoor Recreation Emerging Lead ers Program through the RTCA program. Through her service, Sydney had the privilege to contribute to many exciting proj ects, such as designing two miles of an ABA Accessible trail at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, designing a conceptual master plan for a tribal youth educational garden/park at Yank ton Sioux Tribal Garden and proposing new designs for water access points and generating analysis maps of existing condi tions at Ozark National Scenic Riverway.

Sydney is confident that her service has contributed positive ly towards the mission of the National Park Service. Getting community project partners excited about not only the design, but also the beneficial impact of environmental design is why Sydney loves landscape architecture.

Through her service, Sydney has witnessed how partners such as Hispanic Access Foundation and Ancestral Lands Conser vation Corps diversify their team, bring new perspectives, and connect their work with diverse communities. She encourages the National Park Service to continue to invest in youth beyond white communities. Sydney explains, “The National Park Service serves each American in the United States, and it is time that our workforce reflects that”.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverway project was full of climate challenges. For example, one of the main entrance points was heavily eroded from a change in water flow due to a flood. With this, the water tore away land that was once an easy access point. Together, Sydney and park staff worked to find a solution by expanding their points of views and opinions through the power of a diverse educated team to mitigate climate change.

SYDNEY: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

VETERANS PROGRAMMING

Conservation Legacy’s Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) program engages post-911 Veterans to protect communities from wildfire while training veterans for careers in fire management. VFC crews complete service projects focused on fuels mitigation, fire prevention, fire disaster response, and post-fire restoration. Veterans receive career-building training leading to jobs as wildland firefighters and other natural resource fields.

Since 2009, Conservation Legacy corps programs have had long standing success running Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) programs with the US. Forest Service. In 2018, Conservation Legacy began working with the National Park Service to implement VFC crews. Conservation Legacy has provided training, certifications, and job opportunities for over 550 veterans since 2009. As a direct result of the program over 50% of participants have gone on to secure jobs.

To accomplish this, Conservation Legacy has partnered with The National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Foundation, Veterans Green Jobs, and local Fire Departments.

Projects Summary: Protection of Critical Species Habitat, Mechanical Fuels thinning, Constructing Fire Breaks, Creating/ Maintaining Defensible space around historic structures, and culturally sensitive sites, prescribe burn preparation, ignition, holding and operations.

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS

Arizona Conservation Corps Veterans completed ten weeks of work at four different park units: Tonto NM, El Mapais NP, Tuma cacori NHP, Grand Canyon NP, Saguaro NP. The scope of work ranged from hazardous fuels mitigation and thinning work, to burn unit preparation. The objective of these projects is to offer veteran participants the opportunity to work on fire related proj ects while gaining the experience and skills needed to one day be part of an agency fire crew. A total of 1,535 hours of national service were completed and a total of 45 acres of National Park Service lands have been improved.

The purpose of this effort is to reduce the risk of fire, to protect NPS values and neighboring wildland urban interface communi ties by conducting fuels reduction projects in regional units.

Projects at each park unit are designed to reduce hazardous fuels, thereby mitigating the affects of climate change, through thinning of potential fuels, thereby decreasing the risk and impact of wildfires which have grown significantly over the past 15 years as climate change has increased risk factors exponen tially.

APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

In the early part of 2022, Appalachian Conservation Corps ran its first ever Veteran Fire Crew in partnership with New River Gorge National Park. Our Veteran Fire Crew trained and worked alongside New River Gorge Fire Crew in both New River Gorge National Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

During their season, the VFC Crew earned their Red Cards, S-212 Saw Certification, and S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use Certifications. This crew of five worked between the two parks helping to clear areas around buildings to protect some fire, conduct thinning operations, and help with preparations before prescribed burns. All five of the crew went on to finish their terms and move on to federal or federal partner jobs, with one continuing with ACC and another continuing to work as a full-time seasonal firefighter with New River Gorge. They served over 2500 hours during their time on the crew completing meaningful conservation work preparing for future positions with Federal Land Management Agencies.

With New River Gorge being the newest National Park, they are seeing large increases in usage and impact. This crew was able to help and support the park so that park employees could focus additional labor to trails and picnic areas instead of fire season prep. This is also a project that helps support the veter an community in our country help transition into federal fire and land management positions.

PARTNER AND PARTICIPANT QUOTES

THOMAS WILSON, VETERANS FIRE CORPS

‘ The impact I have seen is small, but I know it is great and is a very important part in a bigger picture, and I am delighted to be a part of it. To be a part of this movement is amazing and I would love to support and recommend this to other veterans.’

NEW RIVER GORGE, FIRE MGT TEAM

‘ To say that this program was a success is an understatement.

NERI, CUVA, and now the oth er fortunate agencies that will be gaining these strong assets as employees, have all benefit ed from this extraordinary op portunity. It is our hope here at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to make this program routine operations in the coming years.’

MAYTEANA MORALES, CREW LEADER

‘ It was great. We were able to do work in a National Park, which I had never done before, and it was great to see the worldwide diversity there, and to know that the work we did would be seen by people from all over the world who come to visit Great Sand Dunes.’

SYDNEY CURNES, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ Before this internship, I thought that it would be impossible to get into the National Park Service. Now, I am incredibly optimistic that ambitious dream can now become a reality. I have met so many incredible people that will support me and guide me to find a full-time position with the National Park Service. To be honest, I am speechless, and I cannot even express how much this internship has meant to me.’

LEAH CAWTHORN, SHENANDOAH NP

‘

The ACC crew worked to clear and maintain multiple trails in the park throughout their sea son this summer. Their work is invaluable to Shenandoah - with 500 miles of trails in the park, the NPS trails crews simply cannot cover it all. Ad ditionally, during the summer season, vegetation grows extremely fast, quickly over taking the trail, and afternoon thunderstorms a few times a week bring down many fallen limbs and trees. Having an ACC crew come in to cut back vegetation and remove blow downs is crucial, and helps the park to keep those trails in shape for the numerous hikers that visit each season.’

DIEGO MONTES, CREW MEMBER

‘ I enjoy giving back to the land.

The Earth is the most import ant thing.  So we are doing a little bit to help conserve and preserve that for future gener ations to be able to enjoy, too.’

JARROD STANELY, CREW LEADER

‘ My favorite experience so far would be working along side the NPS Trails Crew and helping construct multiple rock staircases and work with the grip hoist to maneuver extremely large rocks. Working on this SECC trail crew with people who, at the beginning of the season, are complete strangers coming from very different backgrounds, to be coming friends who work, eat, and do most things together has definitely been an eye opening experience. It has al lowed me to grow as a person and to better understand how to deal with my emotions and work with others in an environ ment that challenges us on a daily basis.’

CAMERON MITCHELL, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘

This was my dream internship. I got to work with a federal agency (NPS), worked with great people, and got to work with numerous wildlife species (most notably bears). I gained the knowledge, experience, bear handling skills, and net working that I was looking for.’

ALEXA SHARP, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ It is really important for opportunity youth to engage in a wide spectrum of expe riences that allow them to picture themselves in future careers. The staff at Aztec Ruins did an amazing job at showing our crew the variety of backgrounds and experi ences that can lead to work with the National Park Service. They had very helpful advice about navigating USA jobs, what it’s like to work for NPS and were excited to serve as contacts for future assistance and mentorship.’

DANA HAWKINS, AZTEC RUINS NP

‘ The trails and lands affected by this crew and their work are greatly improved in aesthetics and safety, and biodiversity and plant cover were in creased along an important vegetation barrier along our southern boundary. We really enjoyed this crew, what a great group of individuals! The trail and native plant island plant ings and fencing look great. It was great to have a Youth crew in the park again, we would support another youth crew in the future.’

PATRA VAN HORN, CREW MEMBER

‘

[National Service] is vital to the community, and personally it helps me be more in touch with the world.’

JACOB VASQUEZ, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘As a Latino who wasn’t able to explore National Parks grow ing up, having the opportunity with the Leaders of Color crew opened me, not only to the ex perience of visiting, but being able to connect directly to the land and history of those that came before us via the conser vation and restoration work we do. To say that I’ve been able to work with Southwest Con servation Corps Los Valles and connect with a space as Mesa Verde will always hold a spe cial and life affirming place for me. Without the opportunity to explore these National Parks, in a crew that feels more like family than anything, there’s no telling if I’d be pursuing the life and career that I am. The leadership and outdoor skills that I gained during my time with SCC will continue to help open doors for myself, but will also in return help me open the doors for others as well.’

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

Participation in corps programming has a long track record of success resulting in young people developing professional and life skills as well as an increased awareness of environmental and resource stewardship. These activities promote the mission and vision to which both the National Park Service and Conservation Legacy are committed. The physical and financial support from the National Park Service, the interns, crews, communities, partner agencies, staff and partner conser vation corps in this effort have been remarkable.

Conservation Legacy and partner corps are humbled to continue to learn and grow together and to continue to provide systems, administrative and coordinating services that can build capacity at the local level to engage youth and young adults with public lands, for the betterment of our shared future.

Conservation Legacy is extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue its partnership with the National Park Service to expand opportunities for young people to serve on public lands and to provide much needed services in the areas of land restoration, trail maintenance and con struction, vegetation management, historic preservation, wildfire prevention, community develop ment and other critical needs.

APPENDIX

CREWS Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks

P17AC01599

Southeast Conservation Corps

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area P19AC00302

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Urban Archeology Corps P19AC00708 Southeast Conservation Corps

Petrified Forest National Park P19AC00870

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Pecos National Historic Park P20AC00342

Arizona Conservation Corps

National Park Service WASO P20AC00397

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P20AC00714

Hybrid

Hovenweep National Monument P20AC00733

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail P20AC00834

Southeast Conservation Corps

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P21AC10047

Arizona Conservation Corps

Southwest Invasive Plant Management Team P21AC10075

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Mojave National Preserve P21AC10146

Arizona Conservation Corps

Canyon de Chelly National Monument P21AC10192

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P21AC10213

Southwest Conservation Corps P21AC10242

Hybrid

Grand Canyon National Park P21AC10337

Arizona Conservation Corps

APPENDIX A:

FULL PROJECT LIST:

Chaco Culture National Historical Park P21AC10452

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Saguaro National Park P21AC10471

Arizona Conservation Corps

Petroglyph National Monument P21AC10662

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Great Sand Dunes National Park P21AC10666

Southwest Conservation Corps

Mesa Verde National Park P21AC10867

Western Region

Cape Lookout National Seashore P21AC11190

Conservation Corps North Carolina

Aztec Ruins National Monument P21AC11388

Southwest Conservation Corps

Valley Forge National Historic Park P21AC11410

Appalachian Conservation Corps Casa Grande Ruins National Monument P21AC11741

Arizona Conservation Corps

Chiricahua National Monument P22AC00075

Arizona Conservation Corps

Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument P22AC00099

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P22AC00202

Arizona Conservation Corps P22AC00263

Arizona Conservation Corps

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park P22AC00542

Southeast Conservation Corps

Great Smoky Mountains National Park P22AC00620

Southeast Conservation Corps

El Morro National Monument P22AC00639

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

P22AC00688 Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park P22AC00717

Appalachian Conservation Corps

Shenandoah National Park P22AC00874

Appalachian Conservation Corps P22AC00965

Arizona Conservation Corps P22AC01041

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P22AC01060 Hybrid

Yosemite National Park P22AC01119

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P22AC01295

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P22AC01366

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps P22AC01374

Arizona Conservation Corps

INTERNS

Acadia National Park Alaska Public Lands Information Center American Memorial Park

Ancestral Lands: Diné (Navajo) Andersonville National Historic Site

Antietam National Battlefield

Appalachian Highlands Inventory & Monitoring Network

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Arches National Park Assateague Island National Seashore Aztec Ruins National Monument Badlands National Park Bandelier National Monument

Big Bend National Park Big Cypress National Park & Preserve Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big Thicket National Preserve

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Biscayne National Park Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Blue Ridge Parkway Booker T. Washington National Monument

Bryce Canyon National Park Buck Island Reef National Monument

Buffalo National River

Cabrillo National Monument Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area

Cape Cod National Seashore Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Lookout National Seashore Capitol Reef National Park

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historical Trail

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Carl Sandburg National Historic Site Carlsbad Caverns National Park Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Catoctin Mountain Park

Cedar Breaks National Monument Central Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network

Central High School National Historic Site

Chaco Culture National Historical Park Channel Islands National Park Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Chesapeake Bay Office NPS Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Chihuahuan Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network

Chiricahua National Monument

Colonial National Historical Park

Colorado National Monument

Coltsville National Historical Park Congaree National Park Coronado National Memorial Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Cumberland Island National Seashore Cumberland Piedmont Inventory & Monitoring Network

Curecanti National Recreation Area Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve Denver Service Center Planning Division

De Soto National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument Dinosaur National Monument

Dry Tortugas National Park

El Malpais National Monument Everglades National Park

Fire Island National Seashore

First State National Historic Park

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine

Fort Monroe National Historic Site

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historical Park Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

Gateway National Recreation Area

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Glacier National Park

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Spike National Monument

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Teton National Park

Great Basin National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Haleakala National Park

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

Homestead National Historical Park

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Hot Springs National Park

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Indiana Dunes National Park Isle Royale National Park

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Joshua Tree National Park Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Katmai National Park and Preserve Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Keweenaw National Historic Park

Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Lake Mead National Recreation Area Lassen Volcanic National Park Lava Beds National Monument Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site Lowell National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Mammoth Cave National Park Manassas National Battlefield Park Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Mesa Verde National Park Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Minute Man National Historic Park Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Mojave Desert Network

Mojave National Preserve Monocacy National Battlefield Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument

Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Muir Woods National Monument Natchez Trace Parkway

National Capital Area Invasive Plant Management Team

National Capital Inventory & Monitoring Network

National Capital Parks - East National Heritage Areas National Mall and Memorial Parks National Park of American Samoa

National Park Service WASO National Parks of Boston

APPENDIX A:

FULL PROJECT LIST:

National Parks of New York Harbor

Natural Bridges National Monument

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

New England National Scenic Trail

New River Gorge National River

Northeast Archaeological Resource Program

Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network

Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area

NPS Geologic Resources Division

NPS HPTC

NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division

NPS Natural Resources Stewardship & Science Directorate

NPS Region 1 - National Capital Regional Office

NPS Region 2 - Southeast Regional Office

NPS Region 3,4,5 - Midwest Regional Office

NPS Region 6,7,8 - Intermountain Regional Office

NPS Region - Alaska Regional Office

NPS Region - Northeast Regional Office

NPS Region - Pacific West Regional Office

NPS RTCA

NPS RTCA Anchorage

NPS RTCA Omaha

NPS Water Resources Division

Obed Wild & Scenic River

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Olympic National Park Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

Pacific Island Inventory & Monitoring Network

Padre Island National Seashore

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park

Park Facility Management Division

Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park

Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO)

Petroglyph National Monument

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pinnacles National Park

Pipe Springs National Monument

Point Reyes National Seashore

Presidents Park

Redwood National Park

Richmond National Battlefield Park

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

Rock Creek Park

Rocky Mountain Inventory & Monitoring Network

Rocky Mountain National Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

San Francisco Bay Area Network

Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Shenandoah National Park

Shiloh National Military Park Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network

Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network

Southwest Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network

Springfield Armory National Historic Site Ste. Genevieve National Historic Park Stones River National Battlefield Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Timpanogos Cave National Monument Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Tonto National Monument Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument University of Rhode Island Region 1 office

Valley Forge National Historic Park

Vicksburg National Military Park Voyageurs National Park

Waco Mammoth National Monument War in the Pacific National Historical Park

Weir Farm National Historic Site

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Wind Cave National Park

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Women’s Rights National Historical Park Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Yellowstone National Park Yosemite National Park

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve Zion National Park

APPENDIX B:

PRESS AND MEDIA

2021OUTDOOR RETAILER INSPIRATION AWARD: NON PROFIT CATEGORY RECIPIENT: ANCESTRAL LANDS

https://outdoorretailer.com/news/outdoor-retailer-unveils-2021-inspiration-awards-re cipients/

UPPER CATHEDRAL ROCK TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT THE VILLAGER

https://www.verdenews.com/news/2022/feb/01/upper-cathedral-rock-trail-reconstruc tion-project/

‘LIKE WITNESSING A BIRTH IN A MORGUE’: WORKING TO SAVE J TREES THE GUARDIAN https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/20/joshua-trees-climate-cri sis-wildfires

ENVIRONMENTAL YEAR IN REVIEW: FIRES, FLOODING AND RESTORATION

ARIZONA DAILY SUN https://azdailysun.com/news/local/environmental-year-in-review-fires-flooding-and-for est-restoration-in-flagstaff/article_00fb3361-bb64-5e0f-97f7-8542e19e5cdd.html

ANCESTRAL LANDS GROUP, GRAND CANYON YOUTH PARTNER GRAND CANYON NEWS https://www.williamsnews.com/news/2021/dec/14/ancestral-lands-group-grand-can yon-youth-partner-h/

INDIGENOUS CONSERVATIONIST WINS NATIONAL AWARD

DAILY NEWS RECORD https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/indigenous-conservationist-wins-na tional-award-for-work-in-virginia-public-lands/article_6928a34c-7301-58de-8f574f2e344f118e.html

WARM MEMORIES & COOLER CLIMATES

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/your-national-forests-magazine/ warm-memories-cooler-climates

WOOD FOR LIFE TRIBAL FUELWOOD INITIATIVE

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION https://www.nationalforests.org/regional-programs/southernrockies/wood-for-life-trib al-fuelwood-initiative

VOF AND ACC PARTNER WITH AMERICORPS

VIRGINIA OUTDOORS https://www.vof.org/2022/03/08/vof-americorps-land-stewards/

NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM CISION

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-park-foundation-launch es-new-program-supporting-equity-focused-outdoor-leaders-and-organiza tions-301489908.html

FULL CIRCLE

NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION https://www.npca.org/articles/3090-full-circle

HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

AZ BIG MEDIA

https://azbigmedia.com/business/here-are-the-winners-of-environmental-excel lence-awards/

WEROWOCOMOCO INTERN NAMED 2022 CORPSMEMBER OF THE YEAR GAZETTE-JOURNAL https://www.gazettejournal.net/werowocomoco-intern-named-2022-corpsmem ber-of-the-year/

PROJECT OF THE YEAR NOMINEES THE CORPS NETWORK https://corpsnetwork.org/2022-project-of-the-year-nominees/

BLUE CORN AND MELONS: MEET THE SEED KEEPERS THE GUARDIAN

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/18/seed-keeper-indigenousfarming-acoma

WEROWOCOMOCO INTERNSHIP HELPED CONNECT NATIVE YOUTH BAY JOURNAL https://www.bayjournal.com/news/people/how-a-werowocomoco-internshiphelped-connect-a-native-youth-with-his-heritage/article_0de86756-cc91-11ec-a355fbddc582d11c.html

GRANT AWARDED FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH JOB TRAINING

KNAU

https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2022-05-24/grant-awarded-forindigenous-youth-job-training-in-natural-resource-stewardship-in-grand-canyon

GRAND CANYON AMONG SITES CHOSEN AS OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WILLIAM GRAND CANYON NEWS

https://www.williamsnews.com/news/2022/may/31/grand-canyon-among-siteschosen-outdoor-classroom-/

INDIGENOUS CONSERVATION CORPS TO PROVIDE TRAINING CHEROKEE ONE FEATHER

https://theonefeather.com/2022/06/24/indigenous-conservation-corps-to-provideconservation-training-and-federal-benefits-to-tribal-crew-members/

SECRETARY HAALAND LAUNCHES NEW IYSC

DOI, ASSOCIATED PRESS AND MANY OTHER OUTLETS

https://doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-launches-new-indian-youth-servicecorps-program

PROGRAM GUIDES TOHONO O’ODHAM TOWARD NPS CAREERS

TUCSON.COM

https://tucson.com/news/local/program-guides-tohono-oodham-toward-nationalpark-careers/article_4618bcae-020e-11ed-9685-ffe50c1a9701.html

APPLE CELEBRATES AMERICA’S PARKS

APPLE

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/08/apple-celebrates-americas-parks/

NPF X WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES: SERVICE CORPS IN ACTION

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVwit8m4GUk

2021 YEAR-IN-REVIEW FROM THE PRESERVATION MARYLAND TEAM PRESERVATION MARYLAND

https://www.preservationmaryland.org/2021-year-in-review-from-the-preservationmaryland-team/

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CORPS PROGRAMS BENEFIT FROM NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION INVESTMENT

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/05/national-park-service-corps-programsbenefit-national-park-foundation-investment

APPENDIX C:

RECRUITMENT OUTLETS: HIGHER ED

Conservation Legacy is engaging in various tactics to develop meaningful relationships with Institutions of Higher Education, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Service Institutions, and Tribal Colleges. The goal is to create talent recruitment pathways that mutually benefit the students, Conservation Legacy, and our partners.

Conservation Legacy began this pilot program in 2022. The strategy has included networking at several national and regional Minorities in Sciences, Natural resources, and Other Related Sciences (MANRRS) events this year. Conservation Legacy continues to develop critical relationships with professors in the conservation and environmental departments and career service offices to strengthen our future recruiting networks and provide experiential career training opportunities for all Americans.

University of the District of Columbia, University of New Mexico University of Arizona

Tohono O’odham Community College Pima Community College Northern Arizona University Coconino Community College Northland Pioneer College TMontgomery Community College Wayne Community College Southeast Community College Haywood Community College Duke University Alamance Community College Appalachian State University Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Barber-Scotia College

Beaufort County Community College

Bennett College

Blue Ridge Community College Brevard College

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

APPENDIX D:

FUNDING AMOUNTS:

AZCC

Campus Compact Cape Fear Community College Catawba College

Catawba Valley Community College

Central Carolina Community College Central Piedmont Community College Chowan University Coastal Carolina Community College College of The Albemarle Craven Community College Davidson College

Durham Technical Community College

East Carolina University

Edgecombe Community College Elizabeth City State University Elon University Gaston College Guilford College

Halifax Community College Haywood Community College Hollins Univesity

Isothermal Community College

James Sprunt Community College

Johnson C. Smith University Lees-McRae College

Lenoir Community Colleg

Livingstone College

Mars Hill University

Martin Community College

Mayland Community College

McDowell Technical Community College

Meredith College

Mitchell Community College

Montgomery Community College

Montreat College

Nash Community College

NC Agricultural & Technical University

NC State University

Pamlico Community College

Piedmont Community College

Queens University of Charlotte Randolph Community College

Richmond Community College Roanoke Chowan Community College

Robeson Community College Rockingham Community College

Sampson Community College

Sandhills Community College

Shaw University Southeastern Community College Southwestern Community College St. Augustine’s University

Stanly Community College

Surry Community College

Tri-County Community College

UNC Asheville University of Mount Olive

Vance-Granville Community College

Vernon Malone College & Career Academy

Wake Technical Community College

Waren Wilson College

Wayne Community College

Western Carolina University

Western Piedmont Community College

Wilkes Community College

Winston Salem State University

NC State University

American Association of University

Women

Bennett College

Appalachian State University

NMSU

SECC

CCNC

$3,629,568

Leveraged Funding by Category Amount

Non Profit Partners $300,584

Individual Donations, Foundations $275,617

*Ancestral Lands $2,375,594

Total Leveraged Funds: $2,951,795

Western New Mexico University

UTEP - College of Science

Colorado College

Chattanooga State Community College University of TN at Chattanooga