Conservation Legacy National Park Service Report 2023

HEADER

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION page two

ACK NOWLEDGMENTS page two

STAT EMENT OF PURPOSE page three

C ONS ERVATION LEGACY OVERVIEW page four

PROGRAM SUCCESS page six

PROGRAM MODELS page seven

DEM OGRAPHICS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS nine

PROGRAM & PR OJECT HIGHLIGHTS page ten

PARTICIPANT AND PARTNER EXPERIENCE page twenty-two

CON CLUSION page twenty-three

AP PENDIX A: PROJECTS page twenty-four

AP PENDIX B: PRESS AND MEDIA page twenty-five

AP PENDIX D: FUNDING page twenty-five

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

FY2023 REPORT

Report Term: October 2022–September 2023

CONTACT INFO

FOR CONSERVATION LEGACY:

Joey Ruehrwein, Senior Vice President of External Affairs 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 101 Durango, Colorado 81301

Email: joey@conservationlegacy.org

Phone: 970-401-2381

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

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 communities and populations that have historically been underrepresented. 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 structured, safe and challenging work and educational opportunities through service that promote personal growth, the development 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 recreational 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.

OVERVIEW

HEADER

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

Co nservation 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 current-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 communities, southern New Mexico programming and projects have transitioned to CCNM’s locally-based operations out of Las Cruces, 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 cultivate 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 empowering young people to cultivate compassion, responsibility and grit through community service, hard work and environmental stewardship. SECC is focused on connecting local youth to the natural environment through service learning, personal development and recreation. SECC offers a variety of opportunities, 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 program 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, addressing local public land issues and working to meet local community needs and interests.

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Providing individual opportunities through service that build career-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 mission, each participant serves on a specific team distinguished by its unique focus and relevant federal agency partner affiliation.

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 ---, we selected over --- youth, young adults and veterans 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 partnership by the National Park Service and the Stewards Individual Placement Program. CVA members support volunteer programs by expanding volunteerism, service-learning, community engagement 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 stewardship 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 evaluations, 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.

BY THE NUMBERS

TOTAL

Diploma:

ACRES RESTORED OR IMPROVED

TOTAL VOLUNTEERS LEVERAGED

MILES OF TRAIL CREATED/ MAINTAINED

EDUCATION

Associates: 5% (63) GED

Masters: 6%

Bachelors: 45%

ANCESTRAL LANDS

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps has evolved since its creation in the Pueblo of Acoma in 2008, expanding conservation corps and community-based program opportunities to include the communities of the Pueblos of Zuni and Isleta, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, urban Indigenous participants in Albuquerque, NM, and an Individual Placement program that places Indigenous participants with Tribes and federal, state and local agencies and non-profits across the country. While the program has grown and evolved, we strive to keep the original mission of centering and serving Indigenous youth and young adults and reconnecting them to the land—the original teacher.

ALCC has also expanded its focus to work with Tribes, communities, and corps programs across the country to share best practices, strategies, lessons learned, and technical assistance to help catalyze and support new programming that partners with Tribes to serve even more Indigenous participants.

LEADING OUR NATIONS BACK TO ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL WELL-BEING .

This has led to the creation of the Yosemite Ancestral Stewards program, in partnership with Yosemite National Park and Great Basin Institute, as well as a bi-weekly Indigenous Programs working group, including staff from ALCC, Montana Conservation Corps, American Youth Works, Appalachian Conservation Corps, Arizona Conservation Corps, GEM Corps, the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, The Corps Network, and many more. The group has addressed current challenges corps programs face, innovated solutions and program ideas, shared best practices, and serves as a community of learning to help new programs have success.

Secretary Haaland’s announcement of the Indian Youth Service Corps—modeled off ALCC—has brought new opportunities to expand program offerings to Indigenous participants, complete work on Tribal lands, reconnect Indigenous young people to the land and prepare them for success in the fields of natural and cultural resources and conservation. This is a watershed moment for corps that serve and center Tribal communities and Indigenous young people, and ALCC is honored to help lead

the way, remove barriers to participation, and create new and innovative corps programs across the country. This year, we are working with Appalachian Conservation Corps, Arizona Conservation Corps, Great Basin Institute, Montana Conservation Corps, Northwest Youth Corps, Southwest Conservation Corps, Wabanaki Youth in Science, and others to create a network of programs serving Indigenous participants, learn with each other, and move the needle to create sustainable and impactful program models that serve Indigenous youth and communities.

One of the greatest successes ALCC had this year was supporting the development of the Yosemite Ancestral Stewards (YAS) program, in partnership with Yosemite National Park and Yosemite National Park. ALCC selected Nellie Tucker as an Individual Placement to work with Irene Vasauez and other NPS staff at Yosemite National Park for a year, building the foundation for the program. The YAS program launched in the summer of 2023 and ALCC sent its Diné all women’s trail crew to work alongside the YAS crew to restore a black oak meadow.

ALCC ran two Native Conservation Corps youth crews out of Albuquerque and Hopi communities in the summer of 2023. The crews learned about park history and resource management, gained professional advice from NPS employees, and assisted units with deferred maintenance. Parks visited include: Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Petrified Forest National Park. The highlight of the NCC experience was a 10-day motorboat trip on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park. During this trip, the youth learned about issues of environmental justice (such as the threat of development at the confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers), risk management, and Indigenous identity, all while contributing to scientific sample collection projects related water quality and wildlife populations.

Crew 661 from Zuni Pueblo spent the summer of 2023 in a collaborative historic preservation project at the Flagstaff Area Monuments. The crew experience was designed to provide specialized experience and networking opportunities with archaeologists and cultural resource managers. The crew began their work with orientations and lessons from the University of Pennsylvania, learning about soil and rock types as they prepared for their preservation work on ancestral dwellings. As the crew gained experience, they began to work independently on stabilizing various structures in the monuments. Over the course of twelve weeks of work, the crew positively impacted approximately 2600 sq. ft. of dwelling surface area through stabilization, mortar work, and resetting capstones. The crew will continue to learn and apply their growing knowledge at sites within the Bears Ears National Monument for the rest of their season.

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps is working with Santa Clara Pueblo and the United States Forest Service to open a new program office in northern New Mexico; and the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes, Grand Teton National Park, and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation to open a new program office on the Wind River Indian Reservation, with plans to operate crews and IPs in coming years.

ALCC continues to work with Indigenous mental health practitioners to provide training, resources, and support to our staff and participants in moments of crisis and to help them build healthy response mechanisms to support their mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being. We are developing trainings around substance use, suicide awareness and prevention, and mental health first aid that center Indigenous young people.

ALCC plans broaden the impact of its youth summer programming by engaging more parks, increasing access for tribal youth to places that hold great cultural significance. The Native Conservation Corps program has found success in places like Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and Glen Canyon. ALCC wishes to connect youth to ancestral sites like Chaco Canyon, Navajo National Monument, and Bryce Canyon to show young people more of the complex histories of their ancestors.

ALCC also continues to refine its chainsaw operations and have seen strong interest from parks like Bryce Canyon and Flagstaff Area Monuments to assist with their thinning efforts. The program looks forward to increasing chainsaw and habitat restoration project opportunities to its members, many of whom desire to gain felling experience toward a career in wildfire or ecological restoration. The program aspires to prepare its members for these crucial positions and continue to seek ways to facilitate pathways to red cards, incident management trainings, and medical certifications.

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS

MINING RECLAMATION IN ORGAN PIPE

Arizona Conservation Crews partnered with Organ Pipe National Monument for 12 weeks of project work to reclaim various mine/ mining locations within the monument boundaries. Historic mining efforts in the monument have left various features, holes and dig sites in the terrain, which present a risk to park resources. Crews used a motorized cart, wheelbarrows, and hand tools to gather and move dirt, rock, and loose material into each mining site. Many of the sites required over 1,500 cubic feet of material to fill. Crews also removed any fencing material that was installed around the mines.

To protect local resources, wildlife, and visitors; AZCC crews were tasked with restoring pre-specified mining locations. At each location crews gathered loose material and aggregate to fill in each mine to surface level. Some of the deeper mine holes had ramps built into them to allow anything that fell in a way to walk out.

Many of these locations are nearby trails and roads which are utilized by monument visitors, some of the mines have fences around them to prevent human visitors from falling in. Once the mines sites were filled in, each area is generally safer and more enjoyable for visitors and local wildlife.

The crews did an outstanding job of backfilling abandoned mine land features in the backcountry of Organ Pipe Cactus N.M. They learned the techniques quickly and followed all the important safety protocols. The crews worked well with National Park Service staff and paid close attention to all guidance and training. Safety for wildlife and visitors is much improved. The crews backfilled 26 mine features, exceeding all expectations for the project.

CHIRICAHUA TRAILS

Arizona Conservation Corps and Chiricahua National Monument partnered together for 18 weeks of project work. The goal of the work was to maintain the trail system within the monument, primarily working along the Lower Rhyolite trail. The crew restored tread, installed erosion control features and cleared overgrown brush from the trail each project hitch. In total the crew maintained 24 miles of trail and served 3,480 hours on the project

Chiricahua National Monument is located in southeast Arizona and contains several unique and diverse resources and features endemic to the Sonoran Desert and American Southwest desert region. The monument received ~61,000 visitors in 2022 and is located in a remote area of Arizona. Monument visitors frequently hike and explore the area via the trail system within the monument. Many of the more popular features are several miles from trailheads. AZCC crews were tasked with improving the condition and enjoyability of the trails to enhance visitor experience, improve access to and make the trails safer to traverse.

Economic Impact: Many of the popular features in the monument such as Big Balanced Rock are accessed via the trail system within the park. Many of the features are 2 or more miles from the trailhead. AZCC crews maintaining the trails offers a more enjoyable and easier hike to access these features for all monument visitors.

“Initially we arrived to Chiricahua National Monument as a chilly, snowy climate. As the snow melted we continued digging up new rocks to use as crush or steps. We readjusted and positioned the rocks in place, locating the side with most surface contact; we completed a stable step this hitch, and began work for the others. As we approached the last hitch, I feel swept up in personal reflections and gratefulness for this rewarding experience,” said crew member Kahlan Will.

APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

TELLING EVERY STORY

The Monocacy National Battlefield grounds looked like something out of the 1800s this past weekend, as park volunteers and staff donned Civil War-era clothes to educate the public on the Battle of Monocacy for its anniversary. Appalachian Conservation Corps interns took part in the event, from answering visitor’s questions at the front desk to helping set off a cannon during an artillery demonstration. The pair shared their thoughts on why public history helps benefit the future.

On July 14th, Monocacy National Battlefield kicked off its 159th anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy, also known as “the battle that saved Washington.” While this battle is less famous and smaller than the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, it was crucial in the Union’s win. The battle delayed Confederate forces sent to capture the Nation’s Capital and ultimately forced them to withdraw to Virginia.

Monocacy National Battlefield preserves the site of the battle, which took place on July 9th, 1864, during the third and final Confederate invasion of the North.

The park held events all weekend for the anniversary, including infantry and artillery firing demonstrations, ranger programs, field music, and a battlefield tour. ACC interns Jared Ezrin and Brenna Hadley helped with the event, as part of their Resource Education and Visitor Services summer internships at the park.

Brenna is an upcoming junior at Gettysburg College in southern Pennsylvania, where she is studying political science and public policy, and plans to continue on to law school. During her freshman year, Brenna took a first-year seminar class on Civil War memory from 1865 to present day. The class – which focused on society’s view of the Civil War and how that’s evolved over time – sparked her interest in public history.

“Because of the battle, we’ve gotten the opportunity to preserve this land and focus on all the other history that’s been here,” she said.

Last summer continuing into this summer, Brenna has been researching a group of migrant farm workers that lived on the battlefield during the 1970s and supported the canning industry in Frederick. Brenna said many people don’t know about groups like them, and her passion lies in highlighting those undertold stories in the community.

Most of her work has built upon research done by past National Park Service employees and volunteers, she said.

Jared is expanding on public resources available at the park during his internship. Many folks, such as his dad and sister, want to know every last bit of information surrounding historical events. Jared wants to write more specific accounts of what happened at each site for eager park visitors like his family. The extensive park library will serve as his database.

To him, it never feels like he’s walking into work. As someone who enjoys connecting with people, sharing his love of history with park guests is a dream come true, Jared said.

In addition to history, Brenna has a passion for nature and she appreciates the opportunity to connect with guests over both.

“It’s a beautiful place. We have great hiking trails and because of the battle we’ve been able to preserve that and make it available for everyone to use,” Brenna said, standing at the visitor center desk as park guests wandered around her.

Educating people on the nation’s history and past mistakes is important in securing a more peaceful future, Jared said. While our current day issues don’t look exactly the same, they can be quite similar.

For example, while slavery was banned following the Civil War, our country still has issues dealing with race relations, religious complexity and gender equality, Jared said. Educating ourselves on American history can help guide us in tackling current issues that mirror those in the past.

“And having places like this is a fantastic reminder of that,” Jared said.

SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

MAMMOTH INTERNSHIPS

Based out of Mammoth Cave National Park, this project allows interns to aid with inventory and monitoring on multiple park units within the Southeast region through Cumberland Piedmont Network. The responsibilities include preforming analysis of imagery, data entry and field work related to cave bats, cave crickets and cave aquatic biota. Overall, the data obtained helps to monitor the vital signs of the caves. Additional responsibilities include monitoring forest vegetation, rare plants, foliar injury, early detection of invasive species, water quality, and organizing plant and aquatic insect specimens.

This work improves the knowledge regarding ecosystems of the park units monitored by Cumberland Piedmont Network. The Inventory and Monitoring program and the Resource Management programs are jointed benefitted. Ideally, the goal is to help pak staff to interpret the status and importance of natural resources within the park. This project’s work also helps to identify resource threats and stressors that are both internal and external to the park.

Erin Foy feels that her internship allowed her to make a positive impact to public lands. She enjoys monitoring populations and collecting data to help to preserve natural resources.

The activities performed in this project directly and tangibly contributes to improving the Mammoth Cave and other park units’ communities within Cumberland Piedmont Network. Collecting data and contributing to preserving the resources of the caves results to an increased knowledge of the history and changes of the cave systems. This, along with the hands-on field work performed by the interns, prepares them to lead excursions, monitor events, and give tours to staff and the public. Well-equipped and knowledgeable staff leads to increased park visitation. Increased Park visitation has a significant economic impact on all communities involved.

The breakdown of rotting food and organic waste produce potent greenhouse gas emissions. The project promotes land management and stewardship by participating in trash clean-ups within the caves and rivers near them. The inventory and monitoring preformed also gathers data to watch changes over time. The data obtained supports efforts to respond to climate change and incorporate climate mitigation practices in management and operation.

SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

FIRE IN THE SOUTHEAST Womens+ Crew

Southeast Conservation Corps supported one Women’s+ Fire Crew during these project dates. The W+FC, crew 910, consisted of 4 AmeriCorps crew members, 1 AmeriCorps assistant crew leader, and 1 non-AmeriCorps crew leader. This crew worked on a variety on National Park Service land throughout the southeast, completing projects related to fire and fuels reduction.

The National Park Services faces a continued threat of wildfires damaging our structures and improvements, natural and cultural resources, and adjoining private lands and communities. A robust fuels management program designed to reduce hazardous fuel loading is the best way for us to protect these assets. Our existing fire workforce does not have the capacitary to complete all required tasks and treatments to keep up with the growing demands.

The Women’s+ Fire Crew (W+FC) will help build the national wildland fire workforce capacity by achieving qualification as National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildland Firefighters. This will allow crewmembers to assist with fuels management and resource management activities at NPS units administered by DOI R2. The W+FC will be based in Chattanooga, TN but will travel to NPS units within DOI R2 to complete field work. The W+FC will work directly with NPS fire and park personnel to assist with preparation and implementation of prescribed fires, mechanical fuels reduction treatments, fire effects monitoring, educational outreach, and wildfire suppression preparedness activities. These tasks are necessary to protect NPS structures and improvements, natural and cultural resources, and adjoining private lands and property from the risk of damaging wildfires.

The W+FC assisted with completion of fuels treatments that are on the National Fire Plan approved program of work for the NPS. These treatments create defensible space to help protect NPS structures, improvements, and cultural resources from damaging wildfire. The treatments also reintroduce fire through a controlled manner, which benefits our natural resources and improves wildlife habitat. The work will also help maintain NPS trails and visitor use areas in or adjacent to fuels treatment units. Interpretive outreach and messaging will help educate the public on the project and the benefits of prescribed fire and fuels treatments.

HEADER

Veterans Fire Crew

Southeast Conservation Corps supported one Veteran’s Fire Corps National Park Service crew during these project dates. The VFC, crew 909, consisted of 4 AmeriCorps crew members, 1 AmeriCorps assistant crew leader, and 1 non-AmeriCorps crew leader. This crew worked on a variety on National Park Service land throughout the southeast, completing projects related to fire and fuels reduction.

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. VFC will address two needs 1) veterans who need a way to transition from military to civilian service and 2) land management agencies who need highly qualified and well-trained employees. VFC will build upon the knowledge, leadership experience, and training of the men and women who served in the armed forces, retraining them and refocusing their mission to protect public lands from the threat of wildfire. Veterans will receive training, experience, and support necessary to secure a job in wildland fire.

The Veteran Fire Corps (VFC) Program’s primary public purpose is to reduce the risk of devastating wildland fires at national parks. The reduction of these wildland fires will improve safety and access for the American public. This project fulfills a public purpose by engaging recipients and partners in shared environmental stewardship.

“There were a ton of new experiences, fulfilling work, and great people and places to be around. It helped me get back to nature. My mental health feels so much better having worked outdoors and in beautiful places. It helped me understand how to act better within a government agency that isn’t the military,” said Clayton Price, Crew Member.

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS

GUIDED HIKES IN GREAT SAND DUNES

The purpose of the guided hike is to invite visitors to come take a walk in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and witness the change in landscape that most people drive by. The stories that the plants and the trees hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. In the hike we take a step in the past and see how the Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs, while preserving the land of all the resources it has.

This guided hike positively affects the community due to the widespread variety of visitors that can attend the hike as well as this hike being open to all ages. This hike spreads information about the past of the Great Sand Dunes and its significant culture. It captures the past and spreads awareness of how the Native Americans kept the places they occupied pristine and beautiful. It also shows how the Native Americans practiced taking only what they needed and not overusing the land of its resources.

“Jaiden is spending his second year at Great Sand Dunes, more involved with interpretive programming than last year. It has been a pleasure to witness his growth in the development of this culturally themed hike. His program is well researched and includes personal elements that he is passionate about. The passion he has on the topic and the landscape is evident in how he presents it. We are so fortunate to have Jaiden for a second term beyond the summer. He has really enhanced our program offerings,” said From Kathy Faz Garcia, Program Manager, Interpretation and Visitor Services

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS

“THIS WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.”

-Max Leal-Gomez, Crew Member

LEADERS OF COLOR

The LOC program is now in its 3rd year and its impact continues to be exponentially. In terms of direct and immediate impact on members and conservation-related improvements to public lands, the LOC program participants have completed X number of trail improvement, and completed x acres of restoration. SCCLV has certified X number of participants 24 in chainsaw, crosscut, and wilderness first responder.

Graduating members from the LOC crew have moved into leadership positions in the outdoor industry, with inaugural members having launched the Outdoor Equity Summit, which attracts participants nationally. Several members have stayed with SCCLV and continue to support new LOC crews and contribute to the continued improvement of the program.

The 2023 LOC crew completed backcountry skills and crosscut training in the Great Sand Dunes Preserve and Preserve, at Medano Lake from June 27, 2023 to August 8, 2023. One member, Ismael De Lara, expressed their appreciation of the experience, saying that the LOC crew helped them get their start in the conservation field. “It gave me the base of skills to pursue different options for careers and has given me a network and community to support my continued growth.”

Graduating LOC members are highly competitive candidates in the environmental industry and are earning job titles and salaries above that which they would have been able to attain prior to the program, citing particularly that the combination of certifications and reputation of the program have given them a competitive advantage. Current members are still completing their term, however we anticipate current members having the same competitive advantage upon completion as LOC alumni of previous seasons.

The LOC program continues to change the environmental industry by ensuring that BIPOC leadership are represented throughout the industry. Again, LOC graduates have gone on to launch national summits on Outdoor Equity, and launched county-wide gear libraries, and have served at guest speakers at major events speaking on DEI.

Trevor Taylor, SCC Program Coodindator states “The Leaders of Color crew is important not just because of the skills and certifications it offers it members, but it gives the members valuables skills in community and relationship building. Whiles walking away with technical trainings definitely helps our members progress in their careers, it is the building of their networks that will create the lasting support for their careers in this and other fields of work.”

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 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 opportunities in any project or program Conservation Legacy supports.

In continuation of the successful YES Initiative pilot program, this reporting period witnessed the efforts of the YES Internship program in breaking barriers for young adults with disabilities pursuing careers in conservation. This initiative emphasized the invaluable diversity of voices and experiences, propelling a collective mission to preserve ecosystems, combat climate change, and ensure all Americans enjoy the riches of public lands. Among its achievements, the YES Interns significantly enhanced web accessibility, crafted engaging virtual tours, and formulated critical resources benefiting both Conservation Legacy and NPS

“I AM VERY PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE WITHIN THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT STEWARDS PROGRAM AND I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE A PART OF IT.”

-Kate McCarthy, YES

Member at National Capital Regional Office

partners. Their extensive digital efforts and accessibility audits heightened public outreach, while dedicated hands-on activities enriched the experiences of diverse park visitors and school groups.

Maggie DeVasher, at Colonial National Historical Park, engaged in a wide array of community events, educational programs, and interpretive talks, demonstrating a dedication to accessibility and inclusivity. They expressed a keen interest in understanding diverse park operations, ranging from curation to emergency response roles. Overall, the focus was on active community engagement and fostering accessibility in line with the National Park Service’s core objectives. Maggie takes particular pride in their extensive community outreach efforts and their engaging interpretive talks.

Kate McCarthy, at National Capital Regional Office, accomplished several impactful projects. She crafted a news release on Disability Pride Month initiatives within the region and audited accessibility features on various park websites, presenting her findings to the NPS team. Notably, she worked on ADA compliance for trailhead signs at Monocacy National Battlefield and developed a comprehensive template for accessibility audits across parks in the region. Additionally, she emphasized the need for engaging field experiences to connect with young individuals, aligning with their passion for environmental conservation and social justice.

Aislinn Gara Grady, at Acadia National Park, engaged in diverse projects, notably securing various training certificates and actively contributing to accessibility at Acadia National Park. She created comprehensive ‘Accessibility Guides,’ combining knowledge of accessibility with multimedia components. Additional achievement include her involvement in the Artist-in-Residence program, community outreach, and gull research article. The Accessibility Guides stood out as a project she was particularly proud of, highlighting skills she learned this internship, especially in accessibility and multimedia integration. Inspired by this experience, Aislinn solidified her career goals, considering fields like journalism, teaching, law, and publishing, valuing how her writing and media skills can make a difference, even within national parks.

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

SCIENTISTS IN THE PARKS

In 2023, the Scientists in Parks Program (SIP) placed a total of 248 participants in 128 park units across the country (Note: The total number of interns includes SIP Mosaics. All other numbers do not include SIP Mosaics, which are reflected in a separate report). These accomplished participants supported the NPS mission by completing essential natural resource science work in parks while learning the importance of conservation and stewardship on public lands.

All positions supported natural resource management park needs and focused on multi-disciplinary approaches including citizen s cience, interpretive programs, data collection and analysis, collections management, and more. In FY23 the SIP Intern participants were 19% racially diverse, 72% female, and 75% reported having a bachelor’s degree. The SIP interns’ work contributed 168,270 service hours, or the equivalent almost 81 years of full-time work on natural resource science needs for the NPS at a cost of approximately $4.9 million.

The SIP program continued to provide professional development resources with a summer coding workshop and a travel award to attend professional conferences. This year SIP piloted several engagement opportunities for participants including affinity group s and an SIP newsletter. The SIP program is run in partnership with Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, The Geological Society of America, The Ecological Society of America, and Environment for the Americas.

Scientists in Parks intern Adam Pingatore completed a yearlong term with the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network, which includes seven park units across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. These park units are some of the most biodiverse desert landscapes in the Western Hemisphere and Adam’s project work reflects that diversity. His work included ecological monitoring through vegetation sampling for both upland and riparian systems, native grasslands, exotic plant communities, eDNA sampling, ArcGIS mapping, as well as his most proud accomplishment: piloting the acoustic bird monitoring project.

In his own words, “The National Parks are, to me, the gold standard of preservationist ideals. They are the embodiment of a selflessness by all to maintain the irreplaceable, natural beauty of such an ecologically diverse nation. They are an unwavering manifestation of the importance we place not only on the existence of these resources, but the maintenance of them. That one can travel to the Sierra Nevada and see the same peaks as early naturalists, or canoe down the same rivers that sustained indigenous Americans for millennia, or look upon the same bird species in the same habitat today as someone did one hundred years ago is a treasure not to be taken for granted.”

Since the completion of his service term, Adam has continued to work with the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network as a Biological Science Technician through a local partner organizations.

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

Over the course of 17 weeks, AmeriCorps participant Lilley Brookshire carried out several projects to protect and rehabilitate native species habitats in Pinnacles National Park. Primarily, project work supported native plant species that are under threat from shrinking habitats, development, and the introduction of non-native and invasive species. Due to the overwhelming nature of habitat threats created by non-native species, the work of participants like Lilley are core to the NPS mission to preserve and protect America’s natural resources.

Lilley’s project work covered a broad range of habitat restoration tasks, from treatment to data collection. She removed invasive species that include Carduus pycnocephalus, Centaurea solstitialis, Cnicus benedictus, Silybum marianum, Conium maculatum, and Marrubium vulgare throughout the park. She also learned species native to the area in order to survey plant community monitoring plots located in the Bottomlands of Pinnacles National Park, which included searches for the Pinnacles Jewel Flower. Finally, Lilley collected photos and wrote descriptions of the wildflowers of Pinnacles National Park to assist in the creation of a visitor education flyer, “What’s Blooming.”

Non-native species are one of the greatest threats to habitat within the National Park System and the native plant species found within them. Removing invasive plant species opens up areas for the proliferation and survival of native species that would otherwise struggle to grow. In addition, Lilley’s survey work provided Pinnacles National Park with data to inform project management and design as they utilize limited personnel resources to counter such a large, pressing issue. This provides for positive visitor experience as Pinnacles NP provides such a unique ecosystem to visit.

The proliferation of invasive plant species has increased in large part due to climate change, to which invasive species tend to be more adaptive to both long- and short-term climate change. Without the assistance of AmeriCorps participants like Lilley, these mitigation efforts would be incredibly limited.

“National parks act as safe havens for native species. Hopefully our efforts will give native species time to adapt to introduced species and restore natural balance.” – Lilley Brookshire (intern)

“Without the help of service members like Lilley it would be very difficult to complete many of the projects that ensure the long term maintenance of our park’s natural resources. Lilley benefitted the restoration program in all of her work, and did a particularly good job on the prairie restoration data collection.” – Andy Harmon (site supervisor)

STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

WACO MAMMOTH NATIONAL MONUMENT

Interpretation, Education and Outreach intern Leonardo Maduro-Salvarrey worked in a yearlong position to develop and promote language access and community education at Waco Mammoth National Monument. Leo’s projects included leading guided tours in Spanish as part of the site’s fledgling In-Spanish programming for Spanish speaking audiences, with an emphasis on making their programming more accessible to a wider range of audience ages and linguistic demographics. Other project areas included community outreach for students of all ages at local STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) events hosted by nearby schools, and developing onsite educational activity materials for use at the Monument.

Leo’s work has highlighted the importance of creating accessible, community-focused programming within the national parks system. His efforts to increase awareness of linguistic diversity in park programming is reflective of the diversity of languages and cultures in the local community surrounding Waco Mammoth National Monument. Over the course of his service, Leo emphasized the importance of education and helping learners of all ages, whether it was tabling at STEAM events at a local elementary school or guiding Master Naturalists in tours of the site, come together and share ownership of this wonderful community resource and the value that can be derived from time spent learning within Waco Mammoth National Monument.

Language accessibility, community outreach and education, BIPOC community representation in park programming. Leo suggested the National Park Service continue to leverage social media as a tool of community outreach, as he has already seen its impact on visitor engagement at his own work site.

ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS AT GRAND PORTAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT

RTCA placement Angela’s project work centered around accessibility—researching best practices and developing creative yet practical solutions for inclusion barriers at the park. The specific projects worked on were improvement recommendations and conceptual plans for two ramps to historic structures, redesigning two accessible paths down to Lake Superior, redesigning the access point and rest node at the dock, addressing safety and accessibility concerns at the welcome sign, and proposing ideas for new interpretation and circulation opportunities in the Ojibwe Village section of the park. She also put together a materials report for the staff to reference when re-laying the path surfaces throughout the park.

The design proposals Angela developed directly affect how diverse user groups interact with the park and experience the natural world around them. Ultimately, the projects she worked on aimed to increase enjoyment, education, and inspiration for not only able-bodied individuals, but opened these opportunities to people with disabilities. Angela focused on developing enduring solutions that will positively impact the lives and experiences of diverse user-groups for years to come.

This project work will directly enhance accessibility to Grand Portage National Monument for people with disabilities. This will create a more inclusive park experience for members of the public who could not previously access areas at Grand Portage.

Angela writes, “My experience working on accessible design at Grand Portage National Monument heightened my sense of responsibility for designing spaces that improve the lives of as many people as possible and foster community between diverse groups of people. This work increased my passion for public service and working with our nation’s natural resources. Ultimately, this experience made me excited at the possibility of working for the National Park Service in my future career.”

PARTNER AND PARTICIPANT QUOTES

BEN BALDWIN, PARTNER

‘ My son, Ted, was excited about the junior ranger book and completed it. As we went to the visitor center, it was a SCC IP that swore him in as a junior ranger. I didn’t see his nametag so I can’t call him out by name but he was awesome. Considerate and kind, patient, and made the little ceremony really important to a 8 year old proud to accomplish the junior ranger. I know that he has done that thousands of times and he made it special and personal.

I know all of your IPs are doing great work. I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all of the work that you and your crew are doing. It is clear from that one interaction that you are recruiting, training, and running your program well. It was also clear that we couldn’t make the NPS as special to every visitor without our youth corps partners.’

HAYLIE ROBERTS, CREW MEMBER

‘ This experience has helped me to take personal accountability, and to become more structured. This program has allowed me to develop leadership and organizational skills, and to practice facilitation.’

LEXI HERR, CREW MEMBER

‘ This experience helped me grow to work in uncomfortable conditions. It has also taught me about how I want to be treated in certain work places.’

TAMARA ALIMURKA, CREW MEMBER

‘ It has pushed me to be more assertive and more confident in my ability to learn things and get things done. It has helped me be more proactive and prepared for work environments that require it.’

ROCHELLE TUAZON, CREW MEMBER

‘

Improved on communication skills with peers, learned a lot about myself from being around different people, gained confidence in my abilities to do outdoor work. Learned from leadership styles of other people, gave me skill sets that are going to be useful for my future endeavors, helped define what I want to pursue in terms of career opportunities.’

CARL STETTER, PARTNER

‘

The crew has performed all tasks assigned to them at a satisfactory level, completing projects in an acceptable time frame. the crew has a good outlook and comes prepared each day. The quality of work the crew has been producing has been above acceptable with great attention to detail. The crew has come to work every day well ready to work and has conducted themselves in a professional way. The Crew Leader has been very open and communicative, they have shown support for their crew members and the ability to adapt to situations as the arise. I have communicated with leadership regularly throughout the project and they have been quick to help in all situations and accommodate any changes to work load.’

INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT, WACO MAMMOTH

‘ Working here at Waco Mammoth has been an immensely positive and life-changing experience. I feel that my senior officials and peers were unwaveringly supportive no matter the difficulties that arose and I am very grateful for their help. I will always remember my time working at this site fondly’

AISLINN GARA GRADY, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ I think that my internship mainly solidified my career goals, but also inspired me to look at working in other industries. I think I never considered that I could take my writing and media skills somewhere like a National Park, but through this internship, I was shown that it was possible, and I got to work at a national park WHILE practicing and developing skills that I was best at. Beyond this internship, I will absolutely consider working in/ for an agency like Conservation Legacy or the NPS.’

MARGARET DEVASHER, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ This internship provided valuable experience in both the field and personal experience, I hope this program continues for a long time. It was a fantastic internship; everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming.’

MCKENNA VIERSTRA, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ I am a lot less stressed and happier. I love to share pics and videos of the work I have been doing with my friends and family. It’s awesome! I enjoy keeping an eye on keystone species and recording their changes and impact…. I am fulfilled and so happy to get my foot in the door!’

EMILY MICHAEL, CREW MEMBER

‘ This term has been scientifically engaging thus far. I feel that I’m doing science and being a part of the process. I have my degree in Geology and Mathematics but in this work, I not only get to be a biologist but I’m able to take off the prefix and just be an -ologist. This internship has spearheaded me into continuing work within cave systems.’

ERIN FOY, INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

‘ It’s been an honor to work on the level that I do with National Parks. Before this position I had never even visited a National Park. Learning the ends and outs of Mammoth Cave National Park has been an amazing experience!’

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

Participation in corps programming has a storied history of success, equipping young individuals with invaluable professional and life skills while also deepening their understanding of environmental and resource stewardship. These activities align seamlessly with the mission and vision shared by both the National Park Service and Conservation Legacy. The unwavering support, both in terms of resources and dedication, from the National Park Service, interns, crews, communities, partner agencies, staff, and collaborating conservation corps has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In partnership with fellow corps, Conservation Legacy humbly acknowledges the ongoing journey of growth and learning. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide essential systems, administrative support, and coordination services. These efforts serve to bolster the local capacity to engage youth and young adults with our public lands, thereby contributing to the collective betterment of our future.

With great enthusiasm, Conservation Legacy eagerly anticipates the continuation of its partnership with the National Park Service. This collaboration promises to expand opportunities for young individuals to serve on our public lands, delivering much-needed services in vital areas such as land restoration, trail maintenance and construction, vegetation management, historic preservation, wildfire prevention, community development, and other pressing needs.

APPENDIX A:

FULL PROJECT LIST:

CREW PROJECTS

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park P21AC11211

Aztec Ruins National Monument P20AC00782

Bandelier National Monument P20AC00446

Blue Ridge Parkway P20AC00761

Canyon de Chelly National Monument P21AC10192

Canyon de Chelly National Monument P18AC00798

Canyon de Chelly National Monument P20AC00665

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument P20AC00910

Chaco Culture National Historical Park P20AC00769

Chaco Culture National Historical Park P21AC10452

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park P21AC10651

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park P20AC00772

Chiricahua National Monument P20AC00963

El Malpais National Monument P20AC00836

El Morro National Monument P19AC00924

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P20AC00503

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P20AC00622

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P21AC10047

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P20AC00622

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P21AC10047

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P20AC00503

Flagstaff Area National Monuments P20AC00503

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument P19AC00876

Grand Canyon National Park P21AC10358

Grand Canyon National Park P19AC00301

Grand Teton National Park P21AC10255

Great Sand Dunes National Park P21AC10666

Great Sand Dunes National Park P19AC01073

Hovenweep National Monument P20AC00733

Joshua Tree National Park P19AC00007

Mesa Verde National Park P21AC10867

Mesa Verde National Park P21AC10213

Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument P21AC10019

Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument P19AC00385

Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument P20AC00607

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail P20AC00834

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail P19AC00762

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail P20AC00834

National Park Service (NPS) - WASO P20AC00714

National Park Service (NPS) - WASO P20AC00397

National Park Service (NPS) - WASO P21AC10242

National Park Service (NPS) - WASO P19AC00178

Pecos National Historic Park P20AC00342

Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) P19AC00870

Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) P21AC10230

Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) P20AC00727

Petroglyph National Monument P21AC10662

Saguaro National Park P21AC10471

Shenandoah National Park P20AC01031

Shenandoah National Park P20AC00994

Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks (SOCA) P17AC01599

Southwest Invasive Plant Management Team P21AC10075

Tumacacori National Historical Park P21AC11568

Urban Archeology Corps P19AC00708

Valley Forge National Historic Park P21AC11410

White Sands National Monument P21AC10195

INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National

Historical Park

Acadia National Park

Alaska Public Lands Information Center

American Memorial Park

Antietam National Battlefield

Appomattox Court House National

Historical Park

Arches National Park

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Badlands National Park

Bandelier National Monument

Big Bend National Park

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big Thicket National Preserve

Biscayne National Park

Blue Ridge Parkway

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

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Catoctin Mountain Park

Central Alaska Inventory & Monitoring

Network

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

Chiricahua National Monument

Colonial National Historical Park

Colorado National Monument

Coltsville National Historical Park

Congaree National Park

Coronado National Memorial

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park

Delaware Water Gap National

Recreation Area

Denali National Park and Preserve

Dinosaur National Monument

Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park

Fire Island National Seashore

First State National Historic Park

Flagstaff Area National Monuments

Flight 93 National Memorial

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Fort Monroe National Historic Site

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Vancouver National Historical Park

Fossil Butte National Monument

Freedom Riders National Monument

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Gateway National Recreation AreaSandy Hook Unit

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Glacier National Park

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Teton National Park

Great Basin National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Haleakala National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Hot Springs National Park

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

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lava Beds National Monument

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

Mesa Verde National Park

Minute Man National Historic Park

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Mojave Desert Network

Monocacy National Battlefield

Montezuma Castle National Monument & Tuzigoot National Monument

Morman Pioneer National Heritage Area

Mount Rainier National Park

National Capital Parks - East

National Mall and Memorial Parks

National Park Service (NPS) - WASO

National Parks of Boston

National Parks of New York Harbor

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

New Bedford Whaling National

Historical Park

New River Gorge National River North Cascades National Park

Northeast Archeological Resource

Program

Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network

Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area

NPS Biological Resources Division

NPS Geologic Resources Division

NPS HPTC

NPS Natural Resources Stewardship & Science Directorate

NPS Region - Alaska Regional Office

NPS Region - Pacific West Regional Office

NPS Region 1 - National Capital Regional Office

NPS Region 2 - Southeast Regional Office

NPS Region 6,7,8 - Intermountain Regional Office

NPS RTCA

NPS RTCA Anchorage

NPS RTCA Omaha

NPS Seattle

NPS Water Resources Division

Obed Wild & Scenic River

Olympic National Park

Padre Island National Seashore

Parashant National Monument

Park Cultural Landscapes ProgramSeattle Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petroglyph National Monument

Pinnacles National Park Presidents Park

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Redwood National Park

Richmond National Battlefield Park

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

Rock Creek Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Saguaro National Park

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

San Antonio Missions National

Historical Park

San Francisco Bay Area Network

San Juan Islands National Historical

Park

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Santa Monica Mountains National

Recreation Area

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Shenandoah National Park

Shiloh National Military Park

Southeast Archeological Center

Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network

Southwest Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network

Stones River National Battlefield

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Valles Caldera National Preserve

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

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

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Zion National Park

A NEW GENERATION PRESERVES TRIBAL LAND AND CULTURE IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/08/a-new-generation-preserves-tribal-land-and-culturein-americas-national-parks/?1692885641

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK AND ANCESTRAL LANDS CONSERVATION CORPS RECEIVE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION GRANT FOR NATIVE CONSERVATION CORPS

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/npf-grant-native-conservation-corps.htm

APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS RECOGNIZED AS TOP EMPLOYER FOR INTERNS IN VIRGINIA

https://appalachiancc.org/news/appalachian-conservation-corps-recognized-as-top-employer-for-interns-in-virginia

APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS INTERN SELECTED BY THE CORPS NETWORK AS 2022 CORPSMEMBER OF THE YEAR

https://appalachiancc.org/news/appalachian-conservation-corps-intern-selected-by-the-corpsnetwork-as-2022-corpsmember-of-the-year

WOOD FOR LIFE: ANCESTRAL LANDS CONSERVATION CORPS TO PROVIDE BUILDING MATERIALS TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

https://azdailysun.com/news/local/wood-for-life-ancestral-lands-conservation-corps-to-provide-building-materials-to-tribal-communities/article_2a113b9c-fa6c-11ed-9533-d3a82aa9c05f.html

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES FIRST INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS GRANT AWARDS

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-first-indian-youth-service-corps-grant-awards

SECRETARY HAALAND ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS

https://indianz.com/News/2023/09/14/secretary-haaland-announces-3-5-million-in-grants-forindian-youth-service-corps/

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA

https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1857242/interior-department-announces-funding-indigenous-youth-programs-arizona

INDIGENOUS YOUTH FIND A WAY TO PRESERVE ANCESTRAL LANDS THROUGH CONSERVATION GROUP

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2023-08-21/indigenous-youth-find-a-way-topreserve-ancestral-lands-through-conservation-group