What’s in a Corps Name? Understanding Different Terms.

If you’re new to the Corps world – or even if you’ve been in the Corps community for years – you might have questions about different terms used to describe Corps programs. What’s a Public Lands Corps? Is there a difference between a Service Corps and a Conservation Corps? What is the Civilian Climate Corps? We’ll provide clarity below.

[Banner Photo: New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg]

Wyoming Conservation Corps

Corps

First, the basics. Here’s how The Corps Network defines a Corps: Corps are…

  • Locally-based organizations that engage young adults (generally ages 16 – 30) and veterans (up to age 35) in service projects that address conservation, disaster response, and community needs.
  • Most Corps are nonprofits, but some are operated through state or local governments or by universities.
  • Through a term of service that could last from a few months to a year, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – gain work experience and develop in-demand skills.
  • Corpsmembers are compensated with a stipend or living allowance and often receive an education award or scholarship upon completing their service.
  • Additionally, Corps provide participants educational programming, mentoring, and access to career and personal counseling. Some Corps help participants earn their high school diploma or GED.

 

 

Urban Corps of San Diego County

Service and Conservation Corps

All Conservation Corps are Service Corps; but not all Service Corps are Conservation Corps. The Corps Network was formerly known as the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (NASCC). Is there a difference between a Service Corps and a Conservation Corps? Yes…and no. The majority of organizations in The Corps Network’s membership prioritize conservation-focused service projects and career training, but some Corps also operate programs focused on construction, health care, food access, or meeting other community needs. While all Corps engage participants in service, most, but not all “Service Corps,” do conservation work. We might not be called NASCC anymore, but The Corps Network continues to collectively refer to all our member organizations as “Service and Conservation Corps.”

 

 

Northwest Youth Corps

Youth Conservation Corps

“Youth Conservation Corps” can have a couple different meanings…

The United States Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a federal summer youth employment program that engages young people ages 15 – 18 in “meaningful work experiences at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries.” The YCC program allows federal lands to operate their own summer Corps programs in-house. Note that many parks and forests that have their own YCC program also contract with local Corps to do year-round projects or more technical work.

“Youth Conservation Corps” is also a term used by some Service and Conservation Corps to refer to their programs for people below age 18. It is common for the same Conservation Corps to operate both a “Youth” program for people under 18 and an “Adult” program for people 18+.

 

 

Montana Conservation Corps

Public Lands Corps (Public Lands Service Corps)

The short answer is that a Public Lands Corps is a Corps that completes resource management projects on federal and Tribal lands and waters.

The long answer….

The Public Lands Corps Act passed in Congress in 1993, giving federal bureaus under the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior (DOI) flexibility to enter into cooperative agreements with “qualified youth or conservation corps” to complete “appropriate conservation projects.”

What does that mean? The Public Lands Corps Act opened opportunities for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies within DOI to partner with Corps to address priority projects on our parks and forests.

The federal government has a specific definition for a “qualified youth or conservation corps,” but essentially it’s a Corps that:

  • engages young people ages 16-30 and veterans up to age 35 in conservation and restoration service projects on “public lands, Indian lands, and Hawaiian homelands,”
  • and “gives participants a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education, training, and support services.”

The Public Lands Corps Act was amended through the Dingell Act in 2019 to also open opportunities for partnerships between Corps and the Department of Commerce (i.e., NOAA). Additionally, the Dingell Act raised the age eligibility to receive the Public Lands Corps hiring authority from 25 to 30 (and veterans up to age 35).

When a young person serves in a Corps and completes at least 640 documented service hours on federal lands or waters, they can receive the Public Lands Corps hiring authority. This is a special “noncompetitive” hiring status that allows someone to apply for federal jobs not open to the general public. Essentially it makes it easier for a Corps alum to transition into a full-time job with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, or another federal agency.

Note: Each participating federal agency has its own process for identifying partner Corps and entering into Public Lands Corps contracts or agreements with “qualified youth or conservation corps.” In addition, each agency has a slightly different process for tracking Public Lands Corps hours and administering hiring certificates.

 

 

Fresno Local Conservation Corps

Civilian Climate Corps

The Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) is a concept to expand national service programs doing conservation work with the goal of engaging more Americans in making our communities greener and more climate resilient.

  • On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Section 215 calls to create a “Civilian Climate Corps Initiative, within existing appropriations, to mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers and maximize the creation of accessible training opportunities and good jobs.”
  • Funding to support a CCC has been included in the President’s FY22 and FY23 budget proposals.
  • As of July 2022, it does not appear funding for a CCC will pass as part of the FY22 reconciliation process. However, the Biden administration and many champions in Congress remain committed to supporting the development of a CCC.

 

 

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa

What’s the difference between a Climate Corps and a Conservation Corps?

The Corps Network does not define any difference between a “Climate Corps” and a “Conservation Corps.” They are the same thing. 

In recent years, several states, cities, and local organizations have launched new Corps programs that are labeled as “Climate Corps.” For instance, there are Climate Corps initiatives in Maine and California. These newer programs focus on climate resilience projects that are exactly the same or very similar to projects that “Conservation Corps” have been doing for years. This includes projects like home weatherization; installing solar panels or energy and water efficiency measures in homes and public buildings; conducting energy audits; collecting data; disaster preparedness; educating the public, etc.

At The Corps Network, we believe the majority of projects that Service and Conservation Corps complete are related to sustainability and climate response and resilience. A Climate Corps is a Conservation Corps and a Conservation Corps is a Climate Corps.

 

 

AmeriCorps St. Louis

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that “funds organizations to make positive impact in communities.” AmeriCorps annually provides more than $800 million in grants to nonprofit, community, Tribal, and state organizations and places 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers across the country. AmeriCorps awards grants to national organizations (like The Corps Network), as well as local non-profit organizations (including Corps), to support the recruitment of service members and provide them modest financial compensation and an Education Award. Many Service and Conservation Corps are AmeriCorps programs; many young people who serve in Corps are AmeriCorps members.

 

 

Job Corps CCC

Job Corps

Job Corps is an education and job training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Program participants must be between ages 16 – 24 and, among other qualifications, must meet certain low-income criteria. There are more than 100 Job Corps Centers across the country. Some of these locations, known as Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (Job Corps CCCs) are operated by the U.S. Forest Service. These Centers – which are residential – focus on training young people in conservation and resource management skills. The JCCCCs are members of The Corps Network.

 

 

American Conservation Experience

21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC)

The 21st Century Conservation Corps (21CSC) was an initiative launched under the Obama Administration to grow the Corps movement by expanding private-public partnerships. The vision was to have 100,000 young people and veterans serving in Corps every year. By giving more young adults and returning veterans the opportunity to work and serve on America’s public lands, the 21CSC initiative sought to improve our infrastructure, boost local economies, and train a new generation of conservation workers. The term 21CSC is still used by some to refer to member organizations of The Corps Network, but the term is now outdated and should not be used to avoid confusion.

 

Impact Story: Celebrating Three Cohorts of Build It Green Graduates

Contributed by Jaclyn Lewis
Outreach and Communications Coordinator, green|spaces

 

Based in Chattanooga, TN, green|spaces is one of the newer member organizations of The Corps Network. Their mission is to “work toward regional sustainability by progressing the way we live, work, and build.”

Last month, green|spaces hosted a graduation ceremony to honor 20 young adults for completing the organization’s Build It Green program. Made possible with support from The Corps Network’s AmeriCorps Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI), Build It Green is a full-time national service program that empowers young adults to make an impact in communities across the greater Chattanooga area while gaining skills in green building and weatherization.

The graduating Build It Green class completed over 12,370 service hours and supported the community through various local enrichment projects and providing home improvements at no cost to low-income households.

The June graduation ceremony at the green|spaces office on Main Street celebrated the achievements of three Build It Green cohorts, as COVID-19 had delayed the graduation ceremony for two previous cohorts.

Speakers included green|spaces Executive Director Michael Walton, Build Me a World Executive Director Chris Woodhull, and Build it Green Program Director Christian Shackleford. In addition, the Rev. Brandon Malone gave remarks about the dedication and impact each member displayed during their service commitment.

It was an especially celebratory night, as many of the Build It Green members had not seen each other in up to two years. This multi-year reunion allowed new graduates to speak with senior alumni, whereas previous team members traded stories and reconnected.

With friends and family in attendance, the celebration not surprisingly saw a full house.

 

Build It Green is a green|spaces program. Photos courtesy of green|spaces.

 

 

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Impact Story: Utah Conservation Corps Galena Soo’nkahni Preserve Project

The Corps Network is collecting short stories from Corps about their projects and Corpsmembers that put them into action. Read our “Impact Stories” collection for a picture of the people and hard work behind the Corps movement.

This story highlights Utah Conservation Corps (UCC), a program of AmeriCorps dedicated to community and the environment. UCC is committed to projects that address goals relating to environmental conservation, leadership, education, and sustainability.

Utah Conservation Corps worked with the Utah Department of Natural Resources – Forest, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL) at the Galena Soo’nkahni Preserve, along the Jordan River, to weed out invasive species, plant native trees, and improve the habitat of the wetland.

Corpsmembers waded through mud and wet grass while working with power tools. By the end of November 2021, the UCC crew was able to accomplish 1.77 acres cut and raked, 1.35 acres of native trees planted, 70 pounds of seed mix spread, and more.

Their efforts make the area more accessible. Pedestrians, dog walkers and bird watchers all frequent the area for weekend activities.

Before and After from Nov 9th, 2021

#DayInACorps Video Challenge

WHAT?

The Corps Network is hosting a Corps and Corpsmember-led video challenge campaign this August to raise awareness about what Corps are and what a Corpsmember experience looks like. See details about the contest in this fact sheet.

FAQs

  • How many videos can my organization post?There is no limit. Your Corps can enter as many videos as you’d like.
  • What if a Corpsmember published a video entry from their personal Instagram account?That’s okay — we’ll still count their entry — but we encourage Corps to collect and post videos from the Corps’ Instagram account.
  • Can you clarify how the prizes will be distributed? We intend to announce the winners next week (week of August 8). We’ll share the news on our social media channels and via The Crewleader newsletter. We’ll also reach out through Instagram and email to the Corps that posted the winning videos. We will send the prizes via electronic payment or check directly to the Corps that posted the winning video, not to an individual Corpsmember/Individual Placement. We will leave it to your organization to determine how best to use or distribute the prize.
  • Our organization has multiple different programs and it would be hard to capture a #DayInACorps in just one video. Can we publish/enter multiple videos that each show a different aspect of our program?Yes – definitely! Multiple videos from the same Corps are more than welcome.

WHY?

The focus is recruitment. We hope this campaign will generate fun, easily-shareable, Corpsmember-created content that will demonstrate the Corps experience. We also hope this effort will help current Corpsmembers learn about the broader Corps movement and gain exposure to other programs.

CRITERIA TO WIN

Meet Basic Requirements:

  • 1 minute or less
  • Invite @thecorpsnetwork to be a post collaborator on Instagram
  • Tag @thecorpsnetwork and mention

#DayInACorps in the caption

Interest: Would this video inspire someone to learn more about Corps and the opportunity to serve in Corps?
Creativity: Is your video unique? Does it use humor, interesting camera angles, original choreography, a fun “plot line” or concept?
Quality: We’ll take note of extra effort the creators put into getting quality footage, editing clips, and making a visually appealing, well-packaged video.

HOW?

Steps to participate:

1. Invite your Corpsmembers and individual placements to create videos! Each video should encapsulate “a day in a Corps” in less than 1 minute.
2. During the week of August 1 – 5, Corps should share the content directly on your organization’s Instagram:
  • Invite @thecorpsnetwork to be a post collaborator. On the screen where you add a caption, choose Tag People >> Invite Collaborator.
  • Write your caption. The caption should use hashtag #DayInACorps and tag @thecorpsnetwork. Also mention any important descriptive info (who’s in the video, where they are, who made the video, etc.). See below for a sample caption.
  • We will accept all the Collab requests as we receive them! The videos will simultaneously post to our Instagram page and your Instagram page.
3. Corps should also share videos directly to this Google folder. Label videos so we know which organization they’re from. If you’re having trouble with Google Drive, other file sharing methods work, too – like iCloud, WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc. Just let us know.

Example Caption: Thanks to @americorps members Jane, Joe, and John from our Blue Crew for showing what a #DayInACorps looks like with #XYZCorps! They’re serving with @parksdepartment at #greenpark, helping remove invasive species and improve #picnic areas. Glad to join other member organizations of @thecorpsnetwork to highlight the #CorpsExperience #CivilianClimateCorps #CorpsWork #NationalService

HOW WILL THESE VIDEOS BE USED?

Following the initial campaign, we will do a secondary campaign to repost the submitted videos across The Corps Network’s social media channels (we will share your caption and add tags/ mentions to give credit). We will also create short highlight reels of our favorite clips.

CONTACT US

Email our Communications team with any questions.

Impact Story: Cadastral Land Surveyors with Great Basin Institute

The Corps Network is collecting short stories from Corps about their projects and the Corpsmembers that put them into action. Read our “Impact Stories” collection for a picture of the people and hard work behind the Corps movement.      

This story features the Great Basin Institute (GBI), an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, GBI advances applied research to support science-based adaptive management of public lands. The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of science through field studies programs, conservation practices, and public outreach. 

From June 2021-October 2021, the crew conducted property boundary maintenance and posting for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in the Tahoe, Plumas, Stanislaus, and El Dorado National Forests, & the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This project has a long-term impact on these forests, as the boundary line is used for all sorts of projects within them.  

For instance, a forester stumbled upon the crew placing a boundary line in the Stanislaus NF and he thanked them for their work. He was doing tree stand surveys so that a logging company could treat the area, reducing the risk of wildfires and generating revenue for the USFS so they’d have funds available for other conservation projects. He mentioned that knowing exactly where the boundary of the USFS land was made his job easier and more efficient so he could move on to other projects.

An example of tree blazing.

In a way, all USFS projects begin with what was completed; one cannot begin work if the location of the work is unknown. The crew helped delineate the location of USFS land. 

This position helped Corpsmembers gain experience in land surveying that will help them to qualify for future positions. They also gained experience working independently, in small crews (2-3 people), and in remote locations. These conditions can cause confusion and disagreement, two things of which the crew learned to overcome as a team. 

 

Impact Story: Virginia Service and Conservation Corps

The Virginia Service and Conservation Corps (VSCC), an AmeriCorps member program, has been around for 10 years and began as a way to expand opportunities given to Virginia State Park visitors. VSCC runs several programs and has a unique focus on interpretation through their ongoing Interpretation/ Trails Project. VSCC also has a more traditional Resource Management program, and popular Individual Placement Programs.

Program Overview:

VSCC is based out of Richmond, VA but has placement opportunities for Corpsmembers to serve in all VA State parks. The Corps is recruiting around fifty-two members for the upcoming season to serve in three different hour options. These include a 1200-hour option from January to September, a 675-hour option, and a 450-hour option which runs through the summer season.  VSCC recruits Corpsmembers ages eighteen and older. They focus on all aspects of conservation work taking a well-rounded approach to fostering the future of environmental stewardship.

VSCC’s Resource Management Program gets into the weeds of conservation work. Corpsmembers serve in groups of two-three members assigned to a VA State Park resource management specialist. Corpsmembers travel throughout their district doing conservation work including prescribed fires, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, wildlife surveys, and more.

The Interpretation Trails Program also places Corpsmembers individually into VA State Parks to do visitor experience work. Corpsmembers engage with visitors to teach them about the park, resources, and management. The program is popular with college students and individuals looking for a career path with VA State Parks and conservation.

Corpsmembers come from all over VA. VSCC recruits from colleges and universities and does promotions at community events. They target VA’s rural areas to connect with local populations and communities.

 

COVID-19 Impact:

COVID-19 had a curious impact on outdoor recreation. While the rest of the world was shutting down, trails and parks were more utilized than ever before. People seeking a way to be active and social without fearing infection took advantage of their outdoor resources. This made Corps like VSCC an asset.

Kellie Mattingly, the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator for VSCC says, “I think COVID really showed the importance of outdoor recreation and being able to take advantage of that…VA State Parks saw record numbers of visitation during that time”

Due to the Park’s popularity VSCC Corpsmembers were able to keep running as normal to help increase people’s access to the natural world, and even expand the services that they offered through the help of Corpsmembers.

Corpsmember Take-away:

VSCC’s goal is to develop the next generation of environmental stewards. Corpsmembers gain a deeper understanding of what goes into running, operating, and managing a state park. Mattingly notes that while many Corpsmembers realize, after completing the program, that they want to do conservation work, others realize that while they are glad to have the experience, conservation work is not for them.

“I think a good takeaway is that this really gives a well-rounded experience of what it’s like to work in the conservation field,” says Mattingly.

A well-rounded program includes access to certifications including, wildland firefighting certifications, chainsaw certifications, CPR, First Aid, and AED. For members of the Interpretation Trails Program, there is a Certified Interpretive Guide Program or an intensive Spring Interpretive Guide Workshop, which teach members everything they need to know about interpretation in VA State Parks.

VSCC also equips Corpsmembers for their futures through interviewing workshops that teach members how to apply to VA State jobs, perform mock interviews, and give Corpsmembers tips and suggestions for success.

VSCC’s unique focus on interpretation allows Corpsmembers to be more marketable to future employers, including VA State Parks. Many members return to the parks to work after their programs. Members also go on to work for the VA department of Wildlife Resources, the VA department of Forestry, and more. Mattingly notes that every year one or two members will go on to use their fire experience and certifications in wildland firefighting positions.

“It’s a great opportunity for individuals to share and learn about conservation within Virginia” says Mattingly.

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Impact Story: Restoring Trails with AmeriCorps Members from NY-NJ Trail Conference

Participants featured in this story are supported by AmeriCorps.

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Morris County Fall Crew spent the months of November and December 2021 working on the Blue Trail at Schooley’s Mountain Park in Long Valley, NJ. The AmeriCorps members were tasked with installing stone stairs to improve a section of the Blue Trail. The existing stretch of trail, located next to a popular waterfall destination, was extremely steep and eroded, making it difficult for hikers to traverse.

Stone for the staircase was quarried from the surrounding hillside and split on site. A total of 22 stone stairs were installed, with two additional steps carved into the bedrock. The crew also closed off a stretch of unofficial trail above the existing trail that hikers were frequently mistakenly walking up.

Feedback from passing hikers was overwhelmingly positive. Many said they looked forward to returning with pets or family members who had previously been unable to hike there. Overall, this project was an excellent learning experience for the crew and allowed them to continue to hone their stone working skills.

Impact Story: Forty Years of Opening Outdoor Access and Careers in the Bay Area with Conservation Corps North Bay

In 1981, while on a run in the Marin Headlands, Richard Hammond noticed the disrepair of the trails. After a successful summer project engaging his teenage sons and their friends in trail maintenance, Richard went to local leaders with the idea to create a program to engage more young people in projects to benefit the community and environment. His idea became Marin Conservation Corps – now Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) – the first local, non-profit Conservation Corps.

More than 40 years later, CCNB annually engages more than 180 Corpsmembers in job training, education, and conservation projects across California’s Marin and Sonoma counties.

CCNB launched their successful Zero Waste recycling crew program in the late ‘80s, but their roots are in the Natural Resources Crews.

“All of the projects we do are in some way related to how humans interact with nature. We are really lucky to be in an area where there is so much access to natural spaces. A lot of work we do is in that in between of urban spaces and natural spaces,” said Elise Eifler, Natural Resources Lead Supervisor for CCNB’s Marin program. “I think access to the outdoors is so important…So thinking about it in terms of ‘I get to expand this trail or make this trail more accessible for people.’ Trails are just one way humans can connect to the land and, in turn, hopefully fight for it.”

The intersection of people and the natural world is a particular interest for Elise: her college education focused on environmental justice and political ecology.

“Environmental justice is looking at the different populations of people who are disproportionately impacted by environmental inequities, whether that be pollution, contamination, the climate crisis. Those kinds of inequities can predominantly be found in communities of color and low-income communities…In terms of what we do, [our work helps address] the lack of resources and access to natural spaces.”

During the 2020 – 2021 field season, CCNB Corpsmembers maintained more than 50 miles of creeks, restored over 200 acres of habitat, and improved or maintained over 100 miles of trails. Through their service, Corpsmembers gained hands-on work experience that can translate into a job. CCNB’s mission focuses not just on expanding outdoor access, but expanding access to career paths and providing young people the opportunity to advance their education.

“The community we work in is one of the largest communities of Guatemalans outside of Guatemala. A lot of our Marin Corpsmembers are first generation immigrants. A large reason Corpsmembers come here is to get their high school diploma and learn job skills while they’re going through the process,” said Elise. “Some of our members have a background working outside and are interested in learning about different tools and gaining access to the many different programs we have, but I think the main pull is the opportunity for education and learning English while having a job that is flexible and works alongside going to school.”

While 73% of Corpsmembers during the previous program year were unemployed prior to their service, more than three-quarters entered a job or further education upon completing their term. The average wage for exiting 2021 Corpsmembers was $18.46 per hour.

As Elise noted, Corps alums have gone on to work with the Corps’ project sponsors, like Marin County Parks and Open Space, or adjacent companies like Bartlett Tree Experts.

“When we work with Marin County Open Space, or different counties, or the fire departments, you end up talking to people who tell you ‘I used to work at CCNB.’ This program, started 40 years ago. In the scheme of things, there are people now in their 40s and 50s who used to be in this program and went on to good careers. There definitely are pathways.”

Among other credentials, Corpsmembers in the Natural Resources program can earn chipper and sawyer certifications. A lot of the Natural Resources projects involve using chainsaws and pole saws. CCNB’s Sonoma program has recently been hard at work helping build a new park, where their day-to-day projects included clearing and re-establishing an old logging road to allow public access. Other frequent projects are closely tied to climate change.

“We do flood control, clearing out debris from the creeks and flood zones. Or doing fire fuel reduction, which is often in a border space around peoples’ homes,” said Elise. “We are doing projects where there’s just so much fuel and undergrowth because areas haven’t been burned in a timely manner.”

While some Corps projects – like disaster mitigation or recreation access – center on people, other work centers on benefitting native plants and animals. For example, recent work has included pulling broom and reintroducing native plants in the Marin Headlands, which is one of the only mating grounds for the Mission blue butterfly. Another important project involves helping promote native plant growth at the Hamilton Wetlands: a former Air Force base, later turned into farmland, that is now being reclaimed as wetlands.

One of Elise’s favorite projects was working at Point Reyes National Seashore.

“We worked in an area that had been burned before in the ‘90s. Then it burned again…We were working on invasive species removal, removing pampas grass. I think we were working about a year after it had burned. It was really remarkable to see all this regrowth and see the life that still exists. To see how this specific natural area persevered, and what grew, and how fire can cleanse and bring about new growth and new life. That was pretty special.”

Growth and new opportunities are part of the day-to-day at CCNB. As the Corps enters its fourth decade, they look to continue to expand and advance their mission to “develop youth and conserve natural resources for a resilient, sustainable, and equitable community.”

 

Impact Story: Corps Alum James Ossman

James Ossman, Rockland Conservation & Service Corps Alumni, was a Corpsmember for a summer in 2003 in early college. Always led by the willingness to be of service to the community and make an impact, he continues to pursue these ideals in his current role as Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Marketplace Initiatives at Etsy. He shares his story and an example of how Corpsmembers become the nation’s leaders in sustainability, conservation, and more.

“When it really comes down to it the ability to make a difference is right at your doorstep.” 

How long did you serve with Rockland Conservation & Service Corps? How did you first hear about the Program?

One summer between my junior and senior year of college. I heard about the program in the local newspaper. 

Can you tell us a bit about your background? What were you doing prior to the program and what made you want to join?

I was at George Washington University as an International Affairs major. I wanted to spend a summer working outdoors with a purpose. I also worked a part time retail job at the time. I knew I wanted to work at a nonprofit after college and have an impact on the world, I wasn’t sure exactly how. I knew the program would be a good way to get hands on experience and be outside for the summer. 

What projects did you work on while there?

We worked for the highway department, there were a couple projects. One was around keeping litter out of waterways, so part of that was picking up trash around sewer systems and also putting stickers on sewers to educate the public that litter would go straight into the streams. There was also an educational component to it. We went to some camps, did a workshop at a library, so we’d get the word out particularly to young people about the importance of keeping trash out of our waterways. On rainy days, we organized all of the old town sewer system maps, creating a library organizational system. 

What were some of your favorite parts about this program? What were some of the challenges?

I loved being outdoors, working with my hands, feeling like every day I was accomplishing something with value and that served a purpose. The biggest challenge had to do with the age I was when I was a Corpsmember.  I thought I was capable of changing the world and accomplishing everything. It was a lesson in tempering my expectations around what I was capable of and learning that I could actually make a meaningful day to day difference doing smaller things. 

What training, resources, and support were you provided through this program?

They had a great onboarding week at a community center in Rockland County. It was a whole week of facilitated trainings on basic environmental skills, CPR and first aid, team building activities, training on how to blaze trails and do different types of trail maintenance. Also, once or twice a week all Corpsmembers from different sites came together to do something as a team. The trainings were really helpful. 

What was your favorite experience during the program?

One funny memory in particular sticks out. Because we worked for the highway department, they gave us what appeared to be an old, repainted police car to drive around in. It still had lights on the side, and I remember that cars would slow down when we would be behind them.  At least they did until they saw it was three teenagers driving the car. 

What were your original goals for after the program and what resources did the program provide to help you get there?

Because I wanted to get a job working at a nonprofit, my goal was to get some experience on my resume related to doing something that made a difference in the world. At the time I didn’t know what particular area I was going to go into. It turned out, that following my experience as a Corpsmember, I was able to get my first internship the following semester at a nonprofit called American Farmland Trust.  They focused on preservation of farmland in the U.S. and I think they appreciated me having had some experience in conservation work. 

What type of work do you do now and how did your Corpsmember experience help you get there? Did it affect your trajectory in any way?

After my Corpsmember experienced I worked at a non profit focused on microfinance, and eventually spent a year working at an NGO in India.  I think came back to New York, and Worked at the Earth Institute at Columbia University.  While there, I got my masters in Sustainability Management, and eventually moved on to work at Etsy. At Etsy, I lead our social and environmental impact work and our procurement function. Reducing the environmental footprint of Etsy is a core part of my role.  

It’s been a very roundabout journey, but one specific thing I took away from my AmeriCorps experience was the importance of getting in the weeds and doing hands on work.  Really understanding a challenge from the ground up, and experiencing the lowest level of detail provides the foundation to understanding what the much larger strategy is going to be. Looking back, at the time I was frustrated that we were just picking up trash or putting stickers on sewars, because I had all of these grander ideas. Being much further along in my career, I understand the importance now of having done that nitty gritty work. I look back and see that it was really valuable. 

Why is it important for young people to be involved in this type of work? What is the impact for those serving and the communities they serve?

I think it’s very essential that at as young of an age as possible people start to recognize the role that they can play in making a difference in their community. Having worked at large organizations to address global challenges, I realize that when it really comes down to it, the ability to make a difference happens most easily right at your doorstep. You can be on the town council or can organize a trash pickup at your local park or you can make a public space near you more beautiful. That work is so gratifying, essential, and needed. What we need is every single person thinking at that level versus counting on a few people at the top to do the work that’s needed everywhere. It sets the tone for the way people interact with their community for the rest of their lives. The sooner we can get people interested and involved, the better. 

What would you say to others who are considering their next steps or a program like this? Do you have any advice for young people looking to be a part of this work?

You may not be picking up trash or blazing trails or testing stream water for rest of your life, but there are lots of lessons to draw from this type of experience and take with you. When thinking about your future work and what type of career you hope to have, think about what you’re doing day to day and the underlying skills it requires. 

When you want your career to involve some sort of greater purpose, there are so many ways to achieve that. Let’s say your purpose is environmental conservation, you can do that by testing stream water, or communicating about conservation, or developing strategy and programs, or even by doing financial analysis. You have to go that extra step and think about not just the cause you care about but what makes you happy to do day in and day out and what you’re actually good at. That’s how you build a career and in my case the AmeriCorps experience helped me get my feet wet in one possible way to make a difference and test out one set of skills.  

In your role now you focus on sustainability on a large scale. How do you see programs like these alongside the possibility of a Civilian Climate Corps playing a role in this larger movement? What do you think about the national and global impact of these sustainable programs and operations?

The more exposure I have to complex problems and large-scale organizations, the more convinced I become that the way to make change is at the local, grassroots, community level. That’s what’s beautiful about Etsy, there are millions of sellers that are collectively able to earn income doing what they’re passionate about and pursuing their own creative interest. The same concept applies to the CCC, where putting the progress in the hands of those who live in these communities and are invested in their improvement. 

Impact Story: Preserving Historic Sites and Trade Skills in the Upper Midwest with Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps

During the month of May, The Corps Network is highlighting historic preservation programs at Corps. Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps (NBHPC) is a Minnesota-based program supported by The Corps Network’s AmeriCorps Education Award Program.

At Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps (NBHPC), an AmeriCorps program based in Duluth, MN, their work focuses on not only preserving historic structures, but maintaining the knowledge around historic preservation trade skills.

Every year, from May – October, Northern Bedrock engages young adults ages 18-25 in preservation projects across Minnesota and Wisconsin. While the only main requirement is that participants have a high school diploma or GED, many Corpsmembers join NBHPC in hopes of rounding out their college or graduate-level studies in history.

“We’re often that bridge between academia and the workforce,” said Beatrice Dornfeld, Program Manager and a Northern Bedrock alumna. “Our Corpsmembers almost always cite significant interest in history, but they don’t have a lot of hands-on experience; we usually have applicants that are more used to the academic side of things. They have a real fondness for visiting historic places and are eager to get their hands dirty and try out the preservation skills themselves.”

NBHPC’s projects are typically collaborations with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, or a county historical society. The work varies from season to season, but common projects include cemetery restoration, scraping and painting, window restoration, masonry restoration, and log structure maintenance. Occasionally the Corps assists with documentation of artifacts or historic buildings.

“We do a lot of scraping and painting. It might seem easy and simple, but it’s also very impactful for the building that gets painted. Really one of the easiest ways to preserve a building is to keep up on the painting,” said Sadie Young, Project Manager.

To list just a few accomplishments from 2021, NBHPC members applied over 20,000 square feet of finish, replaced more than 6,800 square feet of roofing, repointed over 1,700 square feet of masonry, installed 900 square feet of flooring, reset 85 monuments, and restored 42 windows.

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Beyond practicing technical skills, Corpsmembers also practice communal living. NBHPC follows a camping model in which members have nine days on and five days off. The experience of living and working together can be a particularly meaningful aspect of a term of service.

“Corpsmembers learn the value of team-building, communication, goal-setting, and effective conflict resolution,” said Sadie.

This current field season includes a project in rural Kittson County in Northwestern Minnesota that will involve fully replacing logs on a cabin built by Swedish settlers. The Corps has extensive experience with “chinking and daubing” – the process of filling the spaces between logs with a mortar-like substance – but entirely replacing logs will be a new experience. They are partnering with a specialist from Utah to provide technical assistance.

NBHPC has in-house knowledge to teach many technical skills, but a lot of the training Corpsmembers receive is provided by project hosts. An important element of the Corps experience is also learning the significance of the sites where they serve.

“We work with one instructor in particular who typically doesn’t use any power tools,” said Beatrice. “People are used to power drills, but with rural sites it’s not always a feasible option. He’s a great resource to explain ‘these are the tools that would’ve been used at the time,’ and ‘this is how this door might have been built back in the 1800s with this hand plane.’ The Corpsmembers get a good experience learning about the history of the skills themselves.”

NBHPC is committed to keeping trade skills alive and relevant. The Corps provides a unique opportunity for experienced craftspeople to transfer knowledge to students and young professionals.

“A big part of why Corpsmembers are interested in this program is the networking,” said Beatrice. “A lot of people with trades experience are getting to retirement age. For our project hosts, it’s really helpful for them to see young people engaged in these trades…There seems to be a false narrative around younger people not being interested in hands-on work. I think for a lot of people it just hasn’t been offered as an option. We’re kind of changing that framework to say anyone can go into the trades. These are great career paths.”

Some alums have translated their Corps experience into apprenticeships, while some have pursued jobs in outdoor guiding, window restoration, masonry, archaeology, cultural resource management, and other fields associated with preservation and conservation. As Beatrice noted, environmental sustainability is an important element of their work.

“We often say that the most green or eco-friendly building is the one that’s already built. In this era of seeing a lot of new buildings coming up, it is nice to reaffirm that we can work with the buildings we already have.”

Among other locations, this year’s AmeriCorps members will serve at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Superior National Forest, Chippewa National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, and Grand Portage National Monument. The projects include log structure restoration, roofing, painting, cemetery preservation, and more.

“We fill a hole where there’s a historic site that may not have the money or staff required to do the preservation. That’s where we can come in,” said Sadie. “We can make it to sites that are difficult for contractors to make it to, like in the middle of the Boundary Waters. And we can do it fairly affordably for the host. These projects benefit the Corpsmembers because they’re getting a chance to learn, but it benefits the host in that the site might not have gotten the attention that it needed without our crews available.”