Corps Story: LA Conservation Corps’ Addresses Housing Insecurity with Pallet

Housing insecurity is a growing concern for many individuals throughout the country. Service and Conservation Corps like Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) are working to make sure individuals have access to safe and secure temporary housing. Lawrence Melendez, a Senior Program Manager for the Corps, shares his insight on LACC’s partnership with Pallet.

Program Background:

In the Fall of 2020, LACC was introduced to Pallet by a district counsel in the city of LA.

“LA has many people experiencing homelessness. While the LACC is an environmental group, we also address any form of crisis going on, and I think that the homelessness issue can be said to be a crisis situation. So, we’re glad to help,” said Melendez.

Pallet creates temporary shelters that can be built on short notice to address crises. To date, LACC has built 611 temporary homes with Pallet for people experiencing homelessness. At the time of interview, Melendez estimated LACC would hit 700 by the end of November 2021.

“We build 5-10 a day, but they are in progress…The ones we assemble generally have two beds, so potentially we’ve housed 1,400 people,” said Melendez. “The goal is to get a little community of people together where other services can help. I believe it’s supposed to be considered a transition space, it’s not a permanent home.”

Corpsmembers:

LACC rotates Corpsmembers that work on the Pallet homes. Training takes place on the job; a main skill Corpsmembers learn is working together as a team to fit all the pieces of the homes together.

“I think there is some sense of teamwork just in the sense that you’re building a home. They know that they are building a home and I think that’s a cool thing,” says Melendez.

Corpsmembers generally come from the surrounding area and are ages 18-25. Some, but not all Corpsmembers, are AmeriCorps participants.

In addition to building their teamwork skills, Corpsmembers working on the Pallet homes see all that goes into creating a home. They work alongside electricians and plumbers and gain a sense of the coordination required to put together a large project.

The also problem-solve issues of prefabricated parts not necessarily fitting together and work out solutions to it.

Day-to-Day:

Building 5-10 homes a day is no small feat. Corpsmembers arrive at LACC’s site at 6:30 a.m. for a warmup and announcements related to the Corps. They then load up enough tools for a 5-10-person team, and head out. Melendez notes that the Pallet sites are up to an hour away depending on LA traffic.

At the beginning of a project, Pallet offloads materials to be constructed. Once at the site, Corpsmembers generally “stand up” all four walls and roofs. Next, they dive into “finishing work.” This involves weatherproofing, placing air conditioning and heating units, placing stickers, fire extinguishers and other finishing touches.

Melendez says at the end of their eight-hour day, Corpsmembers generally report 30 homes “stood up” and five finished.

A few weeks later, Corpsmembers will return with a punch-list to make sure all the stickers and items are in place. Melendez says that by this point, there are often people already living in the houses.

Completed Homes:

Completed Pallet homes have a “homey feeling.” They have locking doors and windows, providing security that many people experiencing homelessness don’t have access to.

“I describe [the houses] as if you’re a kid and trying to draw a home. It’s four walls and a roof, two pitches on the roof. It does have windows in the front and the back. They are 64 square feet, and they are square, so eight feet by eight feet,” says Melendez.

The homes also include outlets that are active if hooked up to power. They contain two fold-out beds with room for storage beneath, and shelves for more storage. Though the exteriors are white with silver trim, some communities have come together to paint them multicolored. Groups of these homes have been as large as 123 houses in a single area and as small as 20. Communities have separate bathroom and security units.

The homes not only provide shelter, but also enable people to have easier access to services they may need, while giving a sense of independence and dignity to the inhabitants.

Melendez notes that Pallet employs people who are of similar background to the Corpsmembers at LACC, making the partnership a great and productive fit. “It’s been a good partnership” he says.

 

 

Corpsmember Story: Adelina Roybal

Adelina Roybal is on her pathway to success. She joined a Conservation Crew last year at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) in New Mexico and served on several projects as an AmeriCorps member. She removed invasive species along the Rio Grande Bosque at Santa Ana Pueblo, maintained trails in Rendija Canyon near Los Alamos, and helped maintain the campgrounds in the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area near Pilar. She also helped plant trees in the south valley of Albuquerque. Adelina already had some experience with wildland fire fighting before joining RMYC, so it was natural for her to join a crew and expand her experience. She was between jobs and immediately felt comfortable at RMYC because she loves working outdoors and has a passion for the environment.

 

 

One of Adelina’s most memorable experiences at RMYC was when she took Substance Abuse Prevention training. Substance abuse has impacted her family at a very personal level, and the training she received helped her talk freely about it and identify with what she learned.

Adelina hates trash, and when she saw trash on the trails, she decided to clean it up and encourage her family to pick up trash. The conservation work deepened her feelings about the environment.

“It helped me give back to the community and to be more mindful of my surroundings. We need to leave nature as it is,” she said.

Adelina got married not long after she graduated from RMYC and now she and her husband are expecting a baby! She wants to return to wildfire fighting after the baby comes. RMYC empowered her as a woman working in wildland firefighting. When we asked her what advice she would give to a woman who is considering RMYC, she said, “Always push yourself. You are capable of anything. There is always time to further yourself. Everyone at RMYC was open and made me feel comfortable and safe, especially at the time of COVID. We all worked as a team.”

The Corps Network – Statement on Corps Vaccination Policies

On September 9, 2021, the Biden Administration signed an executive order detailing the applicability of safety protocols for COVID-19 for federal contractors. See: Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. The Corps Network acknowledges that this potentially expanded scope of vaccination requirements, testing, and/or disclosure may impact the work of its 130+ member Service and Conservation Corps, particularly those projects occurring on federal properties.

The Executive Order does not apply to:

  1. grants;
  2. contracts, contract-like instruments, or agreements with Indian Tribes under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638), as amended;
  3. contracts or subcontracts whose value is equal to or less than the simplified acquisition threshold, as that term is defined in section 2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (typically $250,000);
  4. employees who perform work outside the United States or its outlying areas, as those terms are defined in section 2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation; or
  5. subcontracts solely for the provision of products.

Although the Executive Order does not apply in the situations detailed above, agencies or other partners may enact requirements that could apply to participants in Service and Conservation Corps.

Corps may implement vaccination requirements and COVID-19 safety protocols as desired. Corps that already mandate vaccination or regular testing for employees and Corpsmembers should consult with legal counsel regarding the disclosure of vaccination and testing status to external parties (contracting officers, program directors, etc.). Corps whose safety protocols do not yet include mandated vaccination or regular testing should be aware that federal contracts or projects occurring on federal properties may be modified to reflect the objectives of this Executive Order and should consult legal counsel on the development and/or applicability of contract modifications.

In either case, Corps should be advised that federal partners may require that every individual working on or visiting federal properties complete a Certification of Vaccination Form to disclose vaccination status. Workers and visitors who decline to disclose may not be authorized to participate in designated activities and/or on designated areas. The Corps Network encourages Corps leaders to consult with legal counsel in the development of policies and procedures related to the implementation of this Executive Order.

AmeriCorps has not mandated vaccination of members. However, participation in AmeriCorps does not exempt members from adhering to additional requirements or regulations from project partners or sponsors.

We will continue to monitor the guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force and provide updates or recommendations as this develops.

Additional Resources:

Guidance from Corps Partners:

Corps Story: Preparing the Bay Area for Fire; Preparing Young Workers for Careers

“Don’t shy away from physical labor. And expect to get dirty.”

To anyone interested in joining the Environmental Management social enterprise program at Civicorps, these are the words of wisdom from Anthony Silva, a current Civicorps Crew Leader and AmeriCorps member who has participated in fire fuel mitigation projects. As Silva reports, fuel mitigation work can be, “labor intensive, repetitive, but satisfying.”

Based in Oakland, CA, Civicorps partners with 11 public agencies to complete conservation projects throughout the East Bay. With California currently experiencing the third driest year in the past century, as well as rising temperatures, wildfires are a growing concern. Civicorps is being called to do an increasing number of fuel mitigation projects.

 

 

“For our sponsors, this is the number one thing they are concerned about,” said Steven Addison, Conservation Program Manager. “For our contract with East Bay Regional Park District, we spend six weeks just working with their park fire crew all over the East Bay…We’ve gotten some week-long or one-day contracts with some of our other partners…It’s all about fuel reduction. If they get a call from the fire marshal saying an area has to be cleaned up in a certain amount of time, we get a call to come help.”

Fuel mitigation projects involve cutting down vegetation to create defensible space around homes, utility lines, roads, and other assets. As Addison says, their fuel projects can take them to “pretty much anywhere that municipal spaces bumps up against private space.” In addition to East Bay Regional Park District, the Corps’ project partners include Alameda County Flood Control, Zone 7 Water Agency, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Caltrans, and others.

 

 

Corpsmembers receive specific training to participate in fuel mitigation work. Over the past fiscal year, 33 Corpsmembers received certifications in chainsaw operation and 46 received brushcutter training. Corpsmembers are also trained in First-Aid and CPR: important skills to have when working in hot conditions and handling dangerous equipment. The learning experience extends beyond certifications, however.

“I think the engagement piece for our young adults is numerous. One thing is that they get to go places they would’ve never gone…Some of the parks they go to, some of the land they get to see, they lose cellphone service and they’re still in the Bay Area,” said Addison. “It’s re-engaging them with their hands. A lot of our Corpsmembers come with a high school diploma, but they don’t come with job experience…They’re learning skills like coming on time, working as a team, following instructions. Sometimes they have transformational experiences, due to the work and camaraderie, which is what we’re trying to achieve with them.”

 

 

Civicorps Crew Leader Silva notes that fuel projects can be challenging: you are often trying to keep your footing and protect your ankles while working on steep hillsides. However, the challenges are outweighed by the reward of chopping down dangerous trees and helping the community.

Civicorps has occasionally had the opportunity to engage Corpsmembers in conservation and fuel-related projects outside their usual service area. For example, as part of the Save Our Sierras initiative, a crew in 2019 partnered with the California Conservation Corps on a multi-day project to address dead and dying trees at Yosemite National Park.

 

 

Civicorps currently has about 40 to 50 Corpsmembers participating in fuel mitigation projects. When fully staffed, they can engage up to 70 Corpsmembers in this work. Even with a smaller crew, the program has a big impact: from July 2020 through June of this year, Civicorps members performed wildland fire mitigation across 859 acres.

Bob Doyle, the recently retired Director of the East Bay Regional Park District, was a founding board member of the organization that would become Civicorps. As he mentioned in a 2020 interview with Civicorps, fuel mitigation work is increasingly important.

“Investments in land stewardship, fuels management and jobs are critical. We need an army of young people! Both the State of the California and the Federal government need to provide much more funding if we’re going to make a dent in wildfire mitigation,” said Doyle. “We should be investing in people working in forestry, folks who can work a huge variety of jobs on public lands. The volume of land is overwhelming and the urban interface — cities encroaching on the forests — is only growing. We need the education, the training and a variety of skills to get people working in forestry in addition to firefighting skills.”

 

 

As Addison mentioned, the Corps is not short on work. They are always recruiting. While Corpsmembers don’t often come to the program with a specific interest in fuel mitigation, the experience can be inspiring. Corpsmembers have the chance to participate in meaningful fire fuel mitigation work while also learning skills that can translate into careers. The Corps has alums who took positions with other Corps, various partner agencies, arborists like Davey Tree, and the National Park Service.

Anthony Silva says his experience as a Crew Leader has allowed him to build his leadership skills. He is currently serving towards earning a second AmeriCorps Education Award.

“I want to buy a laptop with my AmeriCorps award so I can be more consistent Zooming during my college courses,” said Silva. “After the Corps I want to finish college and find a job in the sociological field, hopefully working with the youth.”

 

 

As noted by Rachel Eisner, Director of Development and Communication at Civicorps, fire fuel mitigation is an important part of their project load, but the conservation outcomes in the field are just one element of Civicorps’ mission.

“In terms of our over-arching mission as a Conservation Corps and building resiliency, the work that we’ve been doing for almost 40 years is all the more important now,” said Rachel Eisner, Director of Development and Communication at Civicorps. “The other notable aspect is that during the last fiscal year, our Corpsmembers took home $1.6 million in paid job training wages. So, in addition to the fuel load reduction and all the conservation work that we do, we’re training and employing Corpsmembers like Anthony Silva, we’re helping them build their networks…our Corpsmembers are earning and gaining concrete skills to push forward into the next stage of their career.”

Corps Story: American YouthWorks Disaster Response Program

September is National Preparedness Month and we are highlighting Corps that are involved in disaster response work. Based in Austin, TX, American YouthWorks (AYW), operates several programs including YouthBuild Austin, Louisiana Conservation Corps, and Texas Conservation Corps (TxCC).

 

Responding to Need

TxCC is part of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT) program. Their AmeriCorps crews, along with AmeriCorps members from other Conservation Corps, deploy to help with emergency response and recovery efforts across the country. This can include managing volunteers and donated supplies, staffing shelters, conducting damage assessments, gutting flooded homes, and more.  

TxCC became involved with disaster response after working alongside a relief group in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Since then, TxCC has responded to disasters like the 2011 Joplin Tornado, the West Fertilizer Plant explosion, Hurricane Harvey, the Bastrop County Complex fire, the Typhoon in Saipan, Mariana Islands (a US Province), Hurricanes Maria and Irma in US Virgin Islands, flooding in Alaska, and Oklahoma Tornadoes. Upon receiving a disaster response grant through the Texas State Service Commission, the OneStar Foundation, TxCC established a dedicated disaster response program.  

As explained by American YouthWorks, AmeriCorps programs and uniquely Conservation Corps are especially well-equipped to participate in disaster work.  

“It’s this nice marriage of a crew that has leadership established, an identified crew leader, individuals that are used to hard and intense labor, being outside and in the heat, harsh conditions, even sleeping in a tent,” says David Bock, TxCC Disaster Response Programs Coordinator. “It’s a good fit. It’s not like we’re first responders, but we’re usually there right after that emergency and the conditions are still rough.” 

Conservation Corps give states a reliable resource for volunteer management, organizing unaffiliated individuals that show up ready to help after a natural disaster. Typically, once a disaster occurs, AmeriCorps crews are on standby and ready to deploy for 30 to 60 days at a time. A federal declaration must be made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state to use AmeriCorps as a resource. Crews are currently on standby to deploy for Hurricane Ida response.  

In response to Hurricane Michael, which hit the Florida Pan Handle in 2018, AmeriCorps crews sorted 34,740 lbs. of donations, collected and distributed 19,800 lbs. of food, and removed 275 hazard trees. These stats show the magnitude of the disaster response crews’ impact. 

Serving During COVID-19

The pandemic has altered the work of the TxCC disaster response program and other A-DRT crews.  It has not been as safe to deploy with intimate living and working quarters. This past spring, AmeriCorps crews assisted with COVID-19 response efforts in Roanoke, VA, primarily doing outreach and also supporting vaccination sites. TxCC collaborated with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). This included going door to door providing vaccine information and staffing a vaccine clinic for local residents. Crews visited 978 homes, distributed 391 COVID-19 Care Packages, and helped get 9,570 people vaccinated. 

“I was very excited because the whole last year and a half, I think a lot of us felt powerless to this whole thing. I didn’t have any say in it, all I can do is wear my mask and social distance, and do what the CDC is telling me. So to know that I get to go out and directly impact this pandemic with my efforts made me feel really empowered,” says Daniel Gerardi, a TxCC AmeriCorps member who deployed to Roanoke. “I’m so glad I made the choice to join the Conservation Disaster Crew because it is actually concrete help.”  

The AmeriCorps Member Experience

Besides immediate disaster response and relief efforts, AmeriCorps members at TxCC complete requests for wildfire fuel mitigation and creating defensible spaces around communities. Corpsmembers regularly train for this type of physical work. Corpsmembers at TxCC can receive various certifications, including the S-212 wildland fire chainsaw certification and a “Red Card,” or wildfire Incident Qualification Card. Corpsmembers also do trainings in watershed restoration, rigging, and other technical skills.  

Being a Corpsmember on this type of team also poses many challenges.  

“Corpsmember’s have mental, physical, emotional fatigue from performing in the chaos and interacting with people and survivors who have gone through a very traumatic experience. Our members are a breath of fresh air and hope,” says Parc Smith, American YouthWorks CEO. “Some things that help are emotional support animals or therapy dogs and other fun activities at the end of the service days.” 

With the rise of disasters, from flooding to wildfires, the need for disaster response crews continues to increase. After a deployment to Louisiana, the local community saw the need for their own Conservation Corps. TxCC assisted in creating the Louisiana Conservation Corps. A modern Civilian Conservation Corps initiative could create the opportunity to expand and enhance this type of work in every state. Smith explains that community engagement should also be a part of implementation of a CCC: “If the CCC is going to do community education around preparedness, then there is a need for community engagement training – exactly how to talk to residents and build trust.” 

Whether or not a CCC is ever fully implemented, current disaster response Corpsmembers find the work important and rewarding. Lyn Cummings, a TxCC AmeriCorps member reflects, ”Disaster deployment helped me to know that leadership in the Corps was right for me. Everyone has the opportunity to step up and fill leadership roles within the deployment community. There are so many moving parts and things to do.”  

When asked what he has gained from his time in disaster response work, Cummings said, “ The hard skills we learned – the outdoor technical skills, chainsaw skills – are tremendous, but I think the most useful skills I continue to build and will have with me for the rest of my life are the soft skills. They were tested and solidified during deployment: interacting with people, conflict management, crew dynamic, leadership, all of the social aspects of being an AmeriCorps member. I think other than service, the one thing that ties all Corpsmembers together are those social skills that we build while in these programs.” 

Corspmember Geraldi also finds a similar takeaway: “The service mindset. I’ve always sort of been community minded, but realizing that applying my efforts to help reduce people’s suffering, and help people live better lives feels like the only meaningful thing we can do.”  

 

 

 

 

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance – 2021

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. While many Corpsmembers are too young to remember the events of 9/11, they keep the memories of victims alive through acts of service. Read below to learn how several Corps recognized the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

Civic Works – Baltimore, MD

Civic Works hosted two 9/11 Day of Service volunteer events.

The Real Food Farm worked with student volunteers and the Corps’ AmeriCorps farm crew on building Hügelkultur mounds – a sustainable method of soil conservation and crop row efficiency.

Meanwhile, AmeriCorps members with Civic Works’ Community Lot Team worked to transform vacant lots across Baltimore City into green space. Service project volunteers worked with the Community Lot Team to create an outdoor classroom and garden at a school in West Baltimore.

 

GEM Environmental – Prescott, AZ

GEM Environmental hosted their first 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance activity: a clean up and trail maintenance project at Thumb Butte. About 30 community members helped with 14 of them from the Yavapai Apache Nation Youth Crew.

 

Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps – Racine, WI

The Great Lakes CCC partnered with the Racine County Volunteer Center, the South Shore Fire Department, the Racine Fire Department, and the Milwaukee Fire Department to conduct a disaster response training exercise. AmeriCorps members served as victims for the exercise. Afterwards, the AmeriCorps members attended 9/11 observance ceremonies.

 

LA Conservation Corps – Los Angeles, CA

The LA Conservation Corps (LACC) is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive later in September. They are inviting Corpsmembers and staff to donate blood to help meet shortages across the country.

 

New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg – Phillipsburg, PA

In remembrance of 9/11, the New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg (NJYCP) worked with the New Jersey Tree Foundation to mulch and care for a site planted by the Corps 17 years earlier. The site has a tree planted in honor of each NJ resident who was a victim of the 9/11 attacks. Corps alumni were welcomed to help alongside current Corpsmembers.

 

Utah Conservation Corps – Moab, UT

Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) crews partnered with Seek Haven Moab Family Crisis and Resource Center to work on several service projects, including removing non-native grasses, shrubs, and trees and assembling a new playset for the center.

Corps Story: Building Trails and Life Experience at Rocky Mountain National Park

Ever thought it would be fun to spend the summer working in a national park? Talk to the AmeriCorps members of the “Rocky Crew” at Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC). They will assure you that yes – serving on a trail crew at Rocky Mountain National Park is a challenging, but incredible experience.

 

 

Over the past few summers, the Cub Lake Trail has been the Rocky Crew’s primary focus. With 3.3 million visitors, Rocky Mountain National Park was the fourth most visited national park last year. During the warm months, when the trails aren’t under snow, the LCCC AmeriCorps members play a critical role in maintaining Cub Lake and other popular routes.

This summer, the eleven-person Rocky Crew cleared over 450 drains. On the Cub Lake Trail alone, they maintained nearly two miles of tread and installed 16 rock steps, 14 wood steps, and six drains. They also moved countless “ankle-breakers” – large rocks that create a tripping hazard.

 

 

Kiera Denehan joined LCCC as an AmeriCorps member in 2019. She was pursuing a Conservation Biology degree at the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University (CSU). The Corps has collaborated with the Warner College in recent years to provide employment to students like Kiera who are required to take a summer course at CSU’s Mountain Campus.

“It’s cheesy to say, but the overall Corps experience was absolutely life-changing for me,” said Kiera. “As I was reading more about the position, I was blown away…First of all, the ability to work in the park is amazing – Rocky Mountain National Park is so beautiful – but also being able to give back. I think a lot of people who use trails and love the natural resources we all use are looking for a way to show their appreciation. This opportunity was the perfect way to do that.”

 

 

During their service, the Rocky Crew works side-by-side with park staff, giving crewmembers an opportunity to ask questions and practice networking. The AmeriCorps members learn about trail aesthetics and how to use tools, but they learn important soft skills, too.

“Having to camp with ten other people for four days out of the week and learn group dynamics – that’s huge for young people,” said Kiera. “[They also learn] professionalism on the job. Our crew is on the trail that’s open to the public. They get a lot of questions…They learn how to communicate about the type of work they’re doing and why they’re doing it.”

 

 

After her AmeriCorps service in 2019, Kiera returned to LCCC in 2020 as a Crew Leader. She now works as a Program Assistant. The mission of the program keeps her motivated.

“I think the Conservation Corps as a model is just incredible. The education aspect is really special and unique,” she said. “Being able to get hands-on work in a specific field and then also the program wants you to learn, wants you to have personal and professional development…that’s something I think every job should do.”

 

 

Kiera has a background in natural resources, but she emphasizes that anyone can find their place in a Corps. When they recruit for the Rocky Crew, they aren’t necessarily looking for people with experience: they want people who are excited to work and give the Corps a try.

“With an opportunity like this – particularly if it’s trail work – sometimes it’s easy to get focused on a mentality of ‘I’m tired. It’s a hard day. I just want to sleep in a bed. I don’t want to camp.’ But I’d say to reflect and keep an open mind,” said Kiera. “In the moment, you’re going to be thinking, ‘oh man, this is hard,’ but when you look back on an experience like this, that’s not what you’re going to remember. You’re going to remember all the incredible work that you’ve done. You’re going to remember the incredible experiences that you had, and you’re going to remember the people that you worked with.”

 

Reflections from Summer 2021 LCCC AmeriCorps Members

Mckenzie Palmer, Springfield, OR

What have you learned from this experience?

I learned many strategies for trail work, as well as ways to get involved in the Park Service. We learned about many opportunities for jobs at NPS for people with various interests.

What did you enjoy about this work? What was challenging?

I loved working with my team and making a tangible difference in the park. The work was very fun and rewarding. The challenging part was battling self-doubt, especially knowing that other Corpsmembers were physically stronger than me.

Why is this work important?

This work helps to create sustainable trails that allow people to continue to enjoy the park with minimal impact on the environment.

What do you plan to do in the future?

I hope to work on the NPS trail crew at a great national park (there are many).

What would you say to other young adults considering a program like this?

This program is very worth it. The people on my crew all had different interests and goals, but everyone benefited from being here and left the program with valuable experiences.

 

 

 

Georgia Port, Chicago, IL

What have you learned from this experience?

Skills in leadership, initiative and perseverance. I also learned a lot about NPS and future employment opportunities.

What did you enjoy about this work? What was challenging?

I loved seeing results and getting to work with the trail crew. The work was challenging, but very rewarding.

Why is this work important?

It helps others enjoy trails that are built sustainability to protect the park and preserve nature.

What do you plan to do in the future?

I hope to do the [National Park Service] Pathways program to be an interpretive ranger or come back as a lead!

What would you say to other young adults considering a program like this?

DO IT!! Just be ready to work hard, learn a LOT and meet amazing people.

Corps Story: AmeriCorps Members Teach Outdoor Recreation Skills in Minnesota

By Hannah Traverse

For Great Outdoors Month, we’re highlighting stories of how Service and Conservation Corps help expand access to public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities.

 

In 2020 alone, Service and Conservation Corps built or restored over 12,000 miles of trail and improved more than 1,200 community spaces. It is common for Corps to partner with land management agencies to maintain outdoor recreation infrastructure. In the Midwest, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa not only partners with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to maintain parks, but to teach outdoor recreation skills.

Launched by MNDNR over a decade ago, I Can! is an outdoor skills training program for beginners. Through free or low-cost summer workshops hosted at state parks across Minnesota, families have the opportunity to borrow gear and learn the basics of activities like mountain biking, fishing, hiking and archery. Since the launch of the I Can! program, AmeriCorps members from Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa have led I Can Camp! and I Can Paddle! classes.

A central part of the Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa vision is “A world where everyone has equitable access to nature.” This aligns closely with the purpose of the I Can! workshops. When surveys found that state park visitors in Minnesota were primarily white and older, MNDNR launched the I Can! program to address barriers to the outdoors and introduce a broader audience to park activities.

“These surveys asked people what their barriers were. There was a lot of fear of the unknown, not having access to equipment, not knowing where to start, not knowing where to go,” said Nick Cox, Youth Outdoors Program Manager at Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa. “I think there’s a recognition that these spaces are pretty exclusionary in a lot of ways. The I Can Camp! program in particular seems to open up state parks to groups that have not been out there as much. We think that working towards making the outdoors more welcoming is important.”

There are eight AmeriCorps members leading I Can Camp! and I Can Paddle! programs this summer. The members will rotate and work in pairs to lead four concurrent workshops across the state on any given weekend.

In previous summers, the AmeriCorps members have engaged with around 1,000 participants through I Can Camp! and 500 participants through the I Can Paddle! workshops. The camping workshops last for one or two nights, while the paddling workshops are two hours long. The AmeriCorps members will also teach 90-minute “mini workshops” in camping skills.

“Working as a recreation instructor is an incredibly rewarding experience and has allowed me to do what I love most: showing people all that nature has to offer, while working outdoors,” said Sammy Borzick, a current AmeriCorps member with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa’s Outdoor Recreation Crew. “Teaching camping to first-timers can be challenging at first, but by the end of workshops, I find that most participants feel more safe and comfortable camping and are inspired to go out and explore more Minnesota state parks. A big part of outdoor education is being flexible and open to learning new things from both my co-workers and participants.”

To teach the I Can! workshops, the AmeriCorps members undergo training with both Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa and MNDNR. They learn basic front-country camping skills – like how to set up a tent, start a fire, and cook outdoors – as well as water rescue skills and canoe and kayak strokes. Additionally, members learn how to provide environmental education and naturalist interpretative programming. This summer, the AmeriCorps members will also teach basic backpacking skills, like how to hang a bear bag and practice proper backcountry hygiene.

Perhaps more important than the outdoor skills the AmeriCorps members learn are the risk management and group dynamics lessons they receive. It’s also important that the members bring a passion for educating.

“We’ve had well over 100 AmeriCorps members teach the I Can! workshops at this point. There are some who have outdoor or formal leadership experience, but certainly a lot that don’t,” said Nick. “When we’re recruiting, we’re not filtering out for folks that have that experience. We are more interested in folks that are really interested in teaching and fostering these connections. We’re a firm believer that we can teach them the skills they need in order to teach [the workshops], but that passion to teach or the ability to work with groups is a little bit harder for us to train, so that’s what we’re looking for in candidates.”

Sammy Borzick, a Sustainability Science and Society major at Michigan Technological University, joined the Outdoor Recreation Crew to help spread her passion for the outdoors.

“I was inspired to join this program because it not only teaches camping skills to the public, but also helps grow an appreciation for the outdoors,” said Sammy. “As a recreation instructor I’ve learned to become a better environmental educator, and I hope that through this program, the public will be inspired to become stewards of nature.”

With COVID-19, the I Can! program has undergone changes. No workshops were held in 2020. For 2021, the camping groups are smaller and will be spaced out. The paddling workshops will only happen on lakes to avoid shuttling people to launch points for river paddling. With interest in outdoor activities on the rise during the pandemic, the Corps expects a busy summer for the I Can! program. They are excited to continue providing Minnesota families with welcoming and accessible outdoor experiences.

“There’s a deep-seated desire to protect the environment and not only have camping and paddling opportunities for all of us, but for generations to come,” said Nick. “[By providing] a way to get folks out to have positive experiences outside and build those connections in whatever way they want to make their own connections, there will be more people out enjoying and protecting these spaces.”

 

 

Corpsmember Profile: Starting a Career in Public Lands Management at Community Training Works

When we initially arranged to chat with Johnathan Phillips, he ended up needing to reschedule; he had been called away on a day-long assignment out in the field. There is no such thing as a dull workday for Johnathan, a laborer at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County, FL.

Johnathan started his position at the Refuge in April 2021, but he is not new to the outdoors. A native of Wakulla County, he grew up spending time at the refuge and other nearby public lands. After graduating high school and taking a job installing water meters at local homes, Johnathan followed in his brother’s footsteps in 2018 when he became an AmeriCorps member at Community Training Works – Young American Conservation Corps (CTW-YACC).

“[CTW-YACC] was looking for people to bring on to help with new projects they were working on. My brother did one AmeriCorps term and he told me about it,” said Johnathan. “I was like, ‘that sounds like fun.’ I honestly didn’t plan on doing this kind of work in life, but once I started, I really enjoyed it and now I’m doing it at the refuge and I really, really enjoy it.”

During his time with CTW-YACC, Johnathan primarily served at Apalachicola National Forest. He and his crew assisted the Recreation Division with a range of projects to improve and maintain the visitor experience. Among other activities, this included clearing trails, removing downed or hazardous trees, building picnic tables, maintaining recreation sites, and managing the ATV and OHV trails. After Hurricane Michael in October 2018, Johnathan and fellow CTW-YACC AmeriCorps members played an important role in removing debris, clearing roads, and reopening damaged recreation sites.

Johnathan pictured at left.

Johnathan was promoted to a Crew Leader position after a year with CTW-YACC. In this role he learned to navigate team dynamics and motivate his crew. The daily tasks in the Corps are often physically demanding, but he didn’t mind.

“I’m an outdoorsy guy, so the work wasn’t a challenge for a me,” said Johnathan. “The most rewarding part was being able to be outside in the woods all day. I love that. I’ll never have a sad day – being out there makes me happy.”

Johnathan gained invaluable hands-on experience through his service. He also participated in numerous trainings: he earned his government driver’s license, OHV and ATV certifications, chainsaw certification, and wildfire-related certifications. It was these experiences and credentials that helped him land his current position.

Johnathan pictured at left with fellow CTW-YACC participants.

Johnathan’s role at St. Marks encompasses numerous responsibilities. He maintains visual aspects, including caring for the grass and signs. He participates in wildlife monitoring. He helps keep drinking water safe by traveling to sites throughout the refuge to test water sources and ensure their potability. He recently removed the steps from an old fire tower to prevent visitors from attempting to climb it.

“There’s always something to do,” said Johnathan.

In the future, Johnathan hopes to use his AmeriCorps Education Awards to potentially take a welding class and earn further certifications. He wants to continue working on public lands and perhaps gain experience working for a park in another part of the country. From his experience in the Corps, Johnathan has launched a career outdoors.

To other young adults considering a term in a Corps, Johnathan advises:

“Definitely stick it out and get the AmeriCorps Education Award. Some people get out there and start doing the hard work and decide it’s not for them ­– which is understandable ­– but for others who want to do it, I’d stick it out. Get the Education Award and get as many certifications as you can.”

The Corps Network Contributes to Conversation on “Reimagining National Service”

[Banner Photo: Texas Conservation Corps at American YouthWorks]

How do national service programs help our country? How can these programs evolve to meet the changing needs of our people, communities, and environment? On Tuesday, May 4, The Corps Network’s President & CEO, Mary Ellen Sprenkel, joined policymakers and national service experts to answer these questions and more during a virtual discussion hosted by the Brookings Institution and Service Year Alliance. A purpose of the event was to mark the release of a new report by Service Year Alliance, “Reimagining National Service: A Roadmap to a Service Presidency,” which offers a guide to the Biden administration on proposed steps to help make national service an opportunity for all young people in America.

“I am very grateful to all of the Corps and the thousands of young people that risked their own health to help their communities deal with the pandemic,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, speaking on how Corps adapted during COVID-19. “And they also continued to complete the service projects they do to improve access to outdoor recreation and protect the environment, which were equally important as more people sought to get outside and recreate safely.”

Click here to watch the full event, which, in addition to Ms. Sprenkel, featured the following speakers (in order of appearance).

  • John Allen, President, The Brookings Institution
  • Tyra Mariani, President – Schultz Family Foundation
  • Sonali Nijhawan, Director – AmeriCorps State and National
  • Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer – California Volunteers
  • Jaime Ernesto Uzeta, Chief Executive Officer – Public Allies
  • Wes Moore, CEO, Robin Hood
  • Jesse Colvin, CEO, Service Year Alliance
  • Isabel Sawhill, Senior Fellow – Economic Studies, Center on Children and Families, Future of the Middle Class Initiative, Brookings Institution
  • Fiona Hill, Robert Bosch Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe, Brookings Institution
  • Martha Ross, Senior Fellow – Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
  • E.J. Dionne, Jr., W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow – Governance Studies, Brookings Institution
  • Peter Wehner, Senior Fellow – Ethics & Public Policy Center, Brookings Institution
  • The Honorable Jack Reed (D-RI), United States Senate