A conservation corps program is a paid service year that enables you to gain hands on skills in conservation work. These team-based programs provide room & board, and other means of support, so that you can have this experience without spending money. If you are trying to find a service year that allows you to work in outdoor spaces across the USA, then this is a great opportunity. To help you find a corps program that is a good fit for you, here is a list of 62 different conservation corps programs in the USA.
Table of Contents
FAQs About Conservation Corps Programs
What is a conservation corps?
A conservation corps is a team-based program in which groups live and work together while completing hands-on projects in the conservation field. Projects and tasks teams may work on are; invasive species removal, planting native species, building & maintaining trails, fire prevention, habitat restoration, and more.
Do crew members get paid?
Almost all of the programs on this list offer ‘paid’ crew positions. This means they provide some sort of modest living stipend. They also provide one or more of the following; housing, meals, certifications/specialized training, an education award, and more.
Who is elegible to join a conservation corps?
Most programs are for young adults ages 18-24, with no upper age limit to be a crew leader. Some programs do not have an upper age limit. There are also many programs for High School students under the age of 18, and for Veterans. Each program below lists the age limits.
How long is a conservations corps program?
Program lengths vary. You can find programs that last up to 3-months, 6-months, or 1-year. The length of each individual program is listed below.
How can you join a conservation corps?
Each program on this list will link you to the respective corps’ website. Their website will explain how you can apply for their specific program.
Where in the USA are programs offered?
Conservations corps programs are offered in almost every state across America. These programs are divided into regions of the USA based on their geographic position and the current division of the US census. This map, from Mappr, shows this division. If you are looking to join a corps in a specific state, you will find the program opportunities listed under that region. (See the Table of Contents above to skip to that region.)
Northeast Region Conservation Corps
1. Northwoods Stewardship Center
Location: New England States
Length: Usually 4-6 weeks during the summer.
Eligibility: Adult trail crews are ages 18+ and Youth Crews are ages 14-18.
Notes: Internships are also available.
2. Historic Preservation in Public Lands Corps
Location: Massachusetts
Length: 10-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30 (or up to 35 for Veterans).
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association & AmeriCorps.
3. Massachusetts Conservation Corps
Location: Massachusetts
Length: 7-months
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
4. Maine Appalachian Trail Club
Location: Maine
Length: About 4-months
Eligibility: Crew members ages 18+.
Notes: 1-week volunteer opportunities are available.
5. Friends of Acadia
Location: Maine
Length: 8-weeks in the summer.
Eligibility: Ages 15-18
6. The New Hampshire Conservation Corps
Location: New Hampshire
Length: 6-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-28
Notes:This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association & AmeriCorps.
7. The Connecticut Woodlands Conservation Corps
Location: Connecticut
Length: 10-week summer/fall placement
Eligibility: Crew members ages 18-25 and Crew Leaders ages 18+
8. Lakes Region Conservation Corps
Location: New Hampshire
Length: Half year or full year options available
Eligibility: Ages 18+
9. New York State Parks Corps
Location: New York
Length: 10-months
Eligibility: Ages 21+
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
10. Excelsior Conservation Corps
Location: New York
Length: 6-7 months
Eligibility: Ages 18-26 (or up to 28 for Veterans).
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
11. Hudson Valley Americorps Program
Location: New York
Length: 10-months
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
12. Adirondack Corps
Location: New York
Length: 6-7 months
Eligibility: Members ages 18+ and Crew Leaders ages 21+.
Notes: This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
13. Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
Location: Pennsylvania
Length: 6-7 months
Eligibility: Crew members ages 18-25 and Crew leaders ages 21+.
Notes: They offer American Sign Language Incusive corps and summer youth programs. This organization is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
14. Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
Location: Vermont
Length: 2-6 months
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: They offer summer High School programs for ages 15+.
15. Maryland Conservation Job Corps
Location: Maryland
Length: 6-weeks
Eligibility: Ages 21+
Notes: This program is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
16. Maryland Conservation Corps
Location: Maryland
Length: 11-months
Eligibility: Ages 17-25
17. Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps
Location: Maryland
Length: 52-weeks
Eligibility: US Veterans
Notes: This program is in partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association.
Southeast Region Conservation Corps
18. Southeast Conservation Corps
Location: Tennessee
Length: 8-weeks to 6-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for Veterans)
Notes: They are a Conservation Legacy program and also offer;
- A 6-week summer program for ages 15-18.
- 8-24 week long individual placement internships for ages 18-35.
- Veterans fire corps for military vets 21-35.
19. Florida Conservation Corps
Location: Florida
Length: 6-month or 11-month
Eligibility: High school graduates 17+
20. Louisiana Conservation Corps
Location: Louisiana
Length: 11-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-28
Notes: This is an American Youth Works program.
21. North Carolina Conservation Corps
Location: North Carolina
Length: 26-weeks
Eligibility: Ages 15-30
Notes: They have Individual & Leadership placements available. This is a Conservation Legacy program.
22. The Environmental Conservation Corps
Location: South Carolina
Length: 3-months, 6-months, or 1-year.
23. Appalachian Conservation Corps
Location: Virginia, West Virginia, & the Appalachian Region
Eligibility: Ages 18-30.
Notes: This is a Conservation Legacy Program and also offer;
- A 6-week summer program for ages 15-18.
- 8-24 week long individual placement internships for ages 18-35.
- Veterans fire corps for military vets 21-35.
- Women’s chainsaw crews.
Midwest Region Conservation Corps
24. Conservation Corps: Minnesota & Iowa
Location: Minnesota & Iowa
Length: 3-months, 6-months, or 1-year.
Eligibility: 18-25
Notes: They also offer the following programs;
- Youth Outdoors: A 2-month program for ages 15-18.
- A 6-months or 1-year Veterans program ages 18-35.
25. Michigan Conservation Corps
Location: Michigan
Eligibility: Michigan Residents ages 18-27 who have graduated HS or have a GED.
26. WisCorps
Location: Wisconsin
Length: 3+ months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30.
27. Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps
Location: Wisconsin
Notes: They also offer a Veterans program. You need to reach out for information.
Southwest Region Conservations Corps
28. Texas Conservation Corps
Location: Texas
Length: Up to 11-months.
Eligibility: Ages range from 16-35 depending on program.
Notes: Summer youth program and individual placements are available. This is an American Youth Works program
29. Arizona Conservation Corps
Location: Arizona
Length: 3-5 months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30
Notes: They have Leadership & Indigenous crew positions available. This is a Conservation Legacy program.
30. Southwest Conservation Corps
Location: Colorado & New Mexico
Length: Up to 12-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-25
Notes: This is a Conservation Legacy program. They also offer High School Crews, Veterans Fire Crews, Women’s Crews, and Individual placements.
31. Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Location: New Mexico
Eligibility: Indigenous youth & adults ages 18-30.
Notes: They offer internship opportunities all across the Western USA. This is a Conservation Legacy program.
32. New Mexico Conservation Corps
Location: New Mexico & Texas
Length: 3-9 months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30
Notes: This is a Conservation Legacy program that offers;
- Local Crews for ages 18-23 that range 3-9 months.
- Veterans Fire Corps for ages 21-35 that range 3-6 months.
- Ecological Monitoring Crews that last 6-9-months.
- Individual Placements.
West Region Conservation Corps
33. Alaska Corps
Location: Alaska
Length: 14-weeks
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: This program is in partnership with the Student Conservation Association.
34. Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps
Location: California
Notes: They have 3 programs;
- Range Crew: For first time trail builders. Lasts 12-16 weeks.
- Trail Crew: For alumni ages 21-30.
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon Crew: 8-week placement
35. California Conservation Corps
Location: California
Length: 1-year
Eligibility: California residents ages 18-25 (up to 29 for Veterans).
36. The Southern California Mountains Foundation
Location: California
Length: 12-months
Eligibility: California residents ages 18-25.
37. LA Conservation Corps
Location: California
Length: 1-year
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
38.Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps
Location: California
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
39. Civic Corps
Location: California
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
40. Conservation Corps of Long Beach
Location: California
Length: 12-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
41. The Greater Valley Conservation Corps
Location: California
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
42. Conservation Corps North Bay
Location: California
Eligibility: Ages 18-30
43. Larimer County Conservation Corps
Location: Colorado
Length: Summer only
Eligibility: Land Crew ages 16-18. Trail Crew, Forrest Crew, or Fire Recovery Crew ages 18-25.
44. Western Colorado Conservation Corps
Location: Colorado
Length: 9-months
Eligibility: Crew Member ages 17-28. Crew Leader or Assistant Leader ages 21-28
Notes: Other crew programs are available.
45. Boulder County Youth Corps
Location: Colorado
Eligibility: Ages 14-17
46. Weld County Youth Conservation Corps
Location: Colorado
Length: 8-week summer or year-round.
Eligibility: Ages 16-25
47. Mile High Youth Corps
Location: Colorado
Length: 3-months to 2-years.
Eligibility: Ages 18-24
Notes: Programs offered; Land Conservation, Youth Build Construction, Youth Build & Welness, and Energy & Water Conservation.
48. Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Location: Colorado
Length: 3-5-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
49. Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
Location: Colorado & Wyoming
Length: Summer, Fall, or year-round.
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: They also offer the following programs;
- Service Learning Crew: ages 11-13.
- Youth Crew: ages 14-15.
- Regional Youth & Women’s Youth Crews: ages 14-18
50. Kupu
Location: Hawaii
Length: 1-year
Eligibility: Ages 17+ (Summer programs ages 16+).
51. Idaho Conservation Corps
Location: Idaho
Length: Spring, summer, & fall placements.
Eligibility: Ages 19+
Notes: They also have summer programs for youth 16-19 and 10-month internships for ages 19+.
52. Idaho Corps
Location: Idaho
Length: 5-months
Eligibility: High School Graduates (or GED).
Notes: This program is in partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
53. Montana Conservation Corps
Location: Montana
Length: Summer, 4-months, or 6-months.
Eligibility: Ages 17-30, (up to 35 for Veterans).
Notes: They also offer youth programs and individual placements.
54. The Great Basin Institute: Nevada Conservation Corps
Location: Nevada
Length: 3 or 12 months
Eligibility: Ages 17+
55. Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps
Location: Oregon
Length: 8-weeks
Eligibility: Must be a local Oregon Teen.
56. Northwest Youth Corps
Location: Oregon, Washington, & Idaho
Eligibility: Ages 19-26
Notes: They also offer youth programs for ages 15-19 and internships for ages 21+.
57. Utah Conservation Corps
Location: Utah
Length: 3-6 months for Crew Members or 10-months for Crew Leaders.
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Notes: They also offer a Women’s Crews, Accessibility Crews, and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Crews.
58. Washington Conservation Corps
Location: Washington
Length: 3, 6, or 11-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-25
Notes: They also offer individual 11-month placements.
59. Earth Corps
Location: Washington
Length: January-December.
Notes: The offer other programs as well.
60. Wyoming Conservation Corps
Location: Wyoming
Length: Spring or Summer start dates.
Eligibility: High School graduate (or GED).
Notes: Thy also offer Women’s and Veteran’s Crews.
Multi-Region Conservation Programs
61. American Conservation Experience
Location: North Carolina, Arizona, Utah, & California
Length: 3, 6, or 9-months
Eligibility: Ages 18-30, (up to 35 for Veterans).
Notes: Epic Program in a Nation Wide Program w/ various location options
62. National Park Service: Youth Conservation Corps
Location: National Parks across the USA
Length: 8-10 weeks
Eligibility: Ages 15-18
Conclusion
A conservation corps is a great way to volunteer long term while receiving financial support and housing. If you are looking for a conservation based service year, hopefully this list of 62 conservation corps helped you find the perfect program for you. Do you have you experience with any of these programs? Is there a conservation corps I did not mention that you think should be on this list? Please let me know in the comments below.