PARTNER AND PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

YOUTH CREW MEMBER, CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

‘This has probably been one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. It helped me grow confidence in myself and my ability and helped me make choices about what I want to do in my future.’

USFS PARTNER, CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

‘The first crew has gotten several compliments on how the Canebrake Horse Camp resurfacing looks. Your crew has done great work there. I appreciate everyone’s hard work.’

CREW MEMBER, CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

‘I really enjoyed getting to see the prescribed burn process in the Croatan Forest. I loved learning how the Forest Service uses regular burning to restore the land closer to how it was before European colonization, with more spacious longleaf pine areas and habitat for endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. It’s cool to learn the ecology behind the work!’

VISTA MEMBER, STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

‘One of the wildlife volunteers that I onboarded this summer developed such great relationships in the district, that he was asked by the fire program managers to update his red card and help with prescribed fires this spring. I was really happy to see that connection develop as this young person looks for permanent opportunities in public lands management.’

USFS PARTNER, STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

‘An understated success has been Meg’s continued enthusiasm for participating in district and community events. She has participated in several workdays, agency outreach events, and even the Walhalla, SC Christmas parade. Through this, she has demonstrated her dedication to the agency’s mission and initiatives, and most importantly to each “team” of staff.’

CREW MEMBER, SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

‘I spent the majority of the summer in the Monongahela National Forest. It makes me feel good and accomplished when I’m able to see the difference I’m making. I definitely am more confident in both my skills and my personal growth and who I have become after the experiences I’ve had through this organization.’

USFS PARTNER, STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

‘Kylie has grown in her soft skills with an understanding of how to build rapport with volunteers who aren’t the easiest to get along with. She makes it a priority to seek out opportunities where an in-person meeting may occur but then taking the time to have lunch or meet for coffee to have more time to get to know volunteers or community members on a personal level, which is key in building trust and positive relationships over time.’

VISTA MEMBER, STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS

‘Meeting with all of the partners one on one increases my connection with them. I volunteered at an event hosted by a partner we hope to create an agreement with in the future which works with the LGBTQIA+ community.’

CREW LEADERS, CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO

‘The work we do is significant. We did not just clear and maintain the Catwalk Trail, we made a difference that results in a sense of pride in not only me, but the entire team.’

CREW MEMBER, SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS

‘This has been a wonderful opportunity to engage with new people and broaden one’s horizons and experience. Depth of experience really contributes to understanding and compassion. This experience has been very invigorating. Also, it has been a great opportunity to meet different project partners and community members with a variety of knowledge and experience.’

CREW MEMBER, SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

‘All of our project partners have been very welcoming of our personal interests, whether it is my passion for wildlife or Annisa’s pursuits in landscape architecture, and every project partner we’ve had has pointed us in the direction of the Forest Service employees related to our interests.’

’CREW LEADER, SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

‘I have had the privilege to work on the first Southeast Conservation Corps four-person strike team focused on re-blazing Forest Service boundaries. The work has taken us to the edges of publicly owned land, managed by the Forest Service, in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. My favorite part of the experience has been when the crew members found an interest in a particular field of study as well as the beautiful views along the way. However, nothing is better than seeing someone’s eyes light up to the exposure to a world of jobs they never knew existed. Several of the Forest Service partners made it very clear the importance of our work. They described us not as kids painting circles on trees but as the front line of defense protecting the land that has been promised to be taken care of in the interest of the American people. Our goal was to be as fair as possible to all parties impacted by the boundary. If the boundary moves by only a few feet, that can take dozens of acres of land from hard-working locals or land owned by the public.’

USFS PARTNER, SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS

‘I could not have been more impressed with the people, or the work performed. Vastly exceeded my expectations and this is all because of the quality of the individuals in the crew. I pulled them from painting one day and took them to a “career day” we set up for them on another district and everyone on the district and from the partners present were impressed with the crew. We are severely understaffed and cannot maintain our boundaries at the level we are required to; this crew exceeded the yearly maintenance requirements for the district they were working on in just 4 weeks.’

USFS PARTNER, CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

‘The crew did an excellent job considering the level of training and preparation the USFS did beforehand. This was a learning experience for everyone and expect even better results with the next crew.’

USFS PARTNER, CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA

‘This past trail crew, the Womens+ crew, has been one of the best crews that I’ve been able to work with! They definitely exceeded my expectations by finishing the original project with five days to spare, and then continued to work hard by completely brushing (as well as cleaning out some drains) one of our most popular mt. biking trails. Working through the ups and downs of weather and morale, they’re all a bunch of hard workers and it was an absolute pleasure getting to know/work with them!’