Looking to join a conservation corps program? To help you in your search, here is a list of 64 different conservation corps programs and opportunities in the USA.
Photo Credits: Sean Benesh
About these programs
Each of these programs are physically demanding and most are labor intensive. You will be doing tasks such as; clearing invasive species, planting native species, building trails, fire prevention, habitat restoration, disaster response and recovery, and more. Almost all of them are considered to be 'paid' positions, meaning they provide some or all of the following; housing, meals, a living stipend, certifications/specialized training, an education award, and more. While I mention age range and location of each program, you will need to do your research on the specific details.
How this list is divided
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.
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Northeast Region
Program Details
New England States
Usually 4-6 weeks during the summer
Crew leaders/assistants ages 18-20
Corps Member positions ages 14-20
Internships available
Program Details
Massachusetts
10-month program ages 18-30, or 18-35 for Veterans
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Massachusettes
7-month program for ages 18+
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Maine
Crew member positions ages 18+ for about 4-months
1-week volunteer opportunities are available
Program Details
Maine
8-week summer opportunity for ages 15-18
Program Details
New Hampshire
6-month placement for ages 18-28
*In partnership w/ the Student Conservation Association
Programs Details
Connecticut
10-week summer/fall placement
Crew members ages 18-25
Crew Leaders ages 18 +
Program Details
New Hampshire
Half year or full year options available
Positions are ages 18+
Program Details
New York
10-month program for ages 21+
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
New York
Ages 18-26, or 18-28 for Veterans
6-7-month placement
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
New York
10-month program ages 18+
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
12. Adirondack Corps
Program Details
New York
6-7-month placement
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Pennsylvania
Crew members 18-25, Crew leaders 21+
Summer youth programs available
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Vermont
Summer High School Program ages 15+
Adult 18+, 2-6 months
Southern Region
Program Details
Tennessee
Youth ages 15-18, 6-week paid summer program in TN
Adults ages18-26, 8-week to 6-months in various states
Veterans fire corps for military vets 21-35 in various states
Individual Placement internships 18-35, 8 to 24-weeks
*A Conservation Legacy program
Program Details
Florida
For high school graduates 17+
6-month or 11-month programs available
Program Details
Maryland
Ages 17-25
11-month placements
Program Details
Maryland
6-week program, ages 21+
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Maryland
52-week position for US Veterans
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Louisiana
11-month program, ages 18-28
*An American Youth Works program
Program Details
North Carolina
26-week Crew program
Individual & Leadership Placements available
*A Conservation Legacy program
Program Details
South Carolina
Education Award Program for undergrads/grads up to age 28
Youth Service Initiative ages 17-24
3-months, 6-month, or 1-year programs
Program Details
Texas
*An American Youth Works program
Crew Members 18-35, Crew Leaders 21-25, an 11-month program
Austin Civilian Conservation Corps for ages 18-35
Summer youth program and individual placements available
Program Details
Virginia
8-month programs for ages 17+
Program Details
Virginia, West Virginia, & the Appalachian Region
*A Conservation Legacy program
Midwest Region
Program Details
Minnesota & Iowa
Field Crew age 18-35, 3-months, 6-months, or 1-year
Youth Outdoors age 15-18, 2-month program
Corps programs age 18-25, 3-months, 6-months, or 1-year
Veterans ages 18-35, 6-months, or 1-year
Program Details
Michigan
Michigan Residents ages 18-27
28. WisCorps
Program Details
Wisconsin
Crew Members serve 8-11-weeks
Crew leaders serve 14-weeks
Program Details
Wisconsin
**To open this link you may need to open it two separate times
Western Region
30. Alaska Corps
Program Details
Alaska
14-week program ages 18+
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Arizona
Field Crew ages 18-30, 3-5-month placements
Leadership & Indigenous crew positions available
*A Conservation Legacy program
Program Details
California
Range Crew for first time trail builders, 12-16-weeks
Trail Crew for alumni ages 21-30
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Crew, 8-week placement
Program Details
California
CA residents 18-25, up to 29 for Veterans
1-year program
Program Details
California
CA residents ages 18-25
12-month placement
Program Details
California
Corps Members ages 18-26
1-year placement
Program Details
California
Young Adults ages 18-26
Program Details
California
Youth Ages 18-28
38. Civic Corps
Program Details
California
Young Adults ages 18-26
Program Details
California
Youth ages 18-26
12-month placement
Program Details
California
Youth ages 18-26
Program Details
California
Young Adults ages 18-30
Program Details
Colorado
Summer Programs only
Land Crew ages 16-18
Trail Crew, Forrest Crew, or Fire Recovery Crew ages 18-25
Program Details
Colorado
Traditional Crew Member ages 17-28, 9-month program
Crew Leader ages 21-28, 9-month program
Assistant Crew leader ages 21-28, 9-month program
Other crew programs available
Program Details
Colorado
Ages 14-17
Program Details
Colorado
Youth ages 16-25
Year round crew or 8-week summer crew programs
Program Details
Colorado
All programs ages 17-24
Land Conservation, 3-months to 2-years
Youth Build Construction, 6-10 months
Youth Build Health & Wellness 6-10 months
Energy & Water Conservation, 3-months to 2-years
Program Details
Colorado
Young Adults ages 18-26
3-5-month program
Program Details
Colorado & New Mexico
*A Conservation Legacy program
Program Details
Colorado & Wyoming
Service Learning Crew ages 11-13
Youth Crew ages 14-15
Regional Youth & Women's Youth Crews ages 14-18
Conservation Corps ages 18+
50. Kupu
Program Details
Hawaii
Corps Members ages 17+, 1-year placement
Corps Leaders ages 17+, 1-year placement
Summer programs ages 16+
Program Details
Idaho
Youth Program ages 16-19, summer placement
Young Adult Program ages 19+, spring, summer, & fall placements
Internship Program ages 19+, 10-month placement
52. Idaho Corps
Program Details
Idaho
High School Graduates (or GED), 5- month placement
*In partnership w/ Student Conservation Association
Program Details
Montana
All Crews ages 17-30, up to 35 for Veterans
Crew Leaders ages 18-30, up to 35 for Veterans
Program Details
New Mexico
Programs for Indigenous Youth & Adults
Internship opportunities all across the Western USA
A Conservation Legacy program
Program Details
New Mexico & Texas
*A Conservation Legacy program
Field Crews ages 18-30, 3-9-months
Local Crews ages 18-23, 3-9-months
Veterans Fire Corps ages 21-35, 3-6-months
Ecological Monitoring Crews, 6-9-months
Individual Placements available
Program Details
Nevada
Crew ages 17+
3-month or 12-month placements
Program Details
Oregon
For Local Oregon Teens
8-week program
Program Details
Oregon, Washington, & Idaho
Youth Programs ages 15-19
Young Adult programs ages 19+
Internships & Field Staff ages 21+
Program Details
Utah
All programs ages 18+
Crew Members 3-6-months
Crew Leaders 10-months
Field Logistics Technician 10-months
Women's Crews, Accessibility Crews, & LGBTQ+ Inclusive Crews
Program Details
Washington
Crew Positions ages 18-25, 3, 6, or 11-months
Individual Placements, 11-months
61. Earth Corps
Program Details
Washington
Earth Corps Crew
Earth Corps Volunteer
Earth Corps Specialist
Program Details
Wyoming
Crew & Crew Leader programs, Spring & Summer
Women's Crew
Veteran Crew
Multi-Region Programs
Program Details
North Carolina, Arizona, Utah, & California
Participants ages 18-30, up to 35 for Veterans
3, 6, or 9-months
Epic Program in a Nation Wide Program w/ various location options
Program Details
Across USA
Youth ages 15-18, 8-10 week placements
National Parks across the USA
Conclusion
There you have it, a list of 64 conservation programs in the USA. Hopefully this list helped you find the perfect program for you and you have a wonderful experience volunteering with a conservation corps.