Appalachian Conservation Corps

It is National Intern Day, and we are celebrating the Individual Placements who join our program to gain experience and serve their communities! Our region is rich with natural, cultural and historic resources. There are many stories to be told from the indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for thousands of years; the early settlers who helped establish the beginnings of a new country; to those who fought from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement to work towards equality for all. Our forests, waterways and other natural spaces are being impacted from hundreds of years of modernization, climate change, and introduction of invasive animals and plants. Together, we are working towards a better future and helping ensure that young conservationists are being trained and supported as they work towards careers in these fields, carrying on the culture of stewardship for our environment and shared history. And a #celebration --- We have been selected as a Virginia Top Employer for Interns for the second year in a row by the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership, something we could not have accomplished without our passionate participants, super staff, and program partners. Learn more about our IP program here ---https://lnkd.in/gpRFjVKd

Are you interested in communicating scientific findings for the park service? We've got the position for you! 🐞🌱📃 Our Science Communications Individual Placement is based in Washington, D.C. with the National Park Service's Inventory and Monitoring program. This 50-week AmeriCorps position will help create reports, fact sheets, web content, and other communications materials focused on Natural Resource Management to parks and partners of the National Capital Region. To learn more about the position and apply, click here --> https://shorturl.at/Yg6Tq.

Let's continue celebrating Great Outdoors Month together with some project highlights! ✨💚 For the love of nature! Since spring of 2023, Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) has been enhancing the trail experience at Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Maryland. Last spring, the ACC team constructed the Charcoal Connector Trail, linking historic sites Blue Blazes Whiskey Still and Camp Misty Mount. This spring, two ACC crews returned to continue building new trails, connecting even more key park locations. Visitors can now easily explore the rich history of Catoctin Mountain Park, with the new trail ready and open for adventure! 🏞️ Meanwhile in the west, Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) team has been hard at work along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in southern New Mexico! Partnering with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and the Bureau of Land Management, our dedicated crews have been installing gates and signage, making the trail more accessible and enjoyable. CCNM is excited to complete the remaining gates this spring! 🚶♂️🌄 Conservation Legacy is solving climate challenges by focusing on local impact—engaging youth and young adults in conservation and service programs nationwide. Our programs are embedded in local communities to meet on-the-ground conservation needs, improving lands and trails for all to enjoy. We need your support to continue this work! Join us in celebrating these incredible projects and help us continue our mission by donating today. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gZCKdZ3j 🌟

Improved trail access to Devil’s Bathtub is now ready for visitors. The Scott County Economic Development Authority received $317,000 from the #VirginiaEnergy’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grant to help cover the costs of improvements to the trail access. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYsc_aaF L to R: Roger Fraysier, Scott county EDA chairman, Tim Ferguson, Virginia Energy, Tiffany Cummins, U.S. Forest Service, Zach Foster, Appalachian Conservation Corps, Lesa Baker, Virginia Energy, Daniel Kestner, Virginia Energy, Va Delegate Terry Kilgore, Michael Brickey, Scott county Board of Supervisors Chairman, Randy Moore, Virginia Energy, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith, Rodney Baker with OSMRE, Tyler Lester with VA Senator Todd Pillion’s office and Freda Starnes with Scott county. Scott County Tourism, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Appalachian Conservation Corps

An ACC Individual Placement shared with us the importance of highlighting under-represented stories in park history. Kristian has been serving at C&O Canal's Williamsport Park for a year as an Interpretation intern. As a First-Generation Latino American, he's spearheaded bilingual projects and educated folks about the contributions of women and African American communities to the Canal's operation. Kristian recently started a second term with ACC and C&O Canal, where he will continue to educate visitors at Williamsport into the fall. Click here to read the Full Member Highlight 🐛 - https://lnkd.in/eE2rQExr.

A recent ACC IP Alum is firing up for a new career path in conservation 🔥🔥 Julia served as an Interpretation Individual Placement at C&O Canal's Great Falls site for a year, sharing the Canal's rich social and environmental history with park visitors. Julia shared with us how she utilized professional development opportunities in her internship to begin a career in fire ecology and management, which she will be attending graduate school for in the fall. Click here to read the full Member Highlight --> https://lnkd.in/eyXF2fTg

One of our staff saw crew leaders wrote an amazing article! https://lnkd.in/efXcvbyT

⚠️🛑This is your sign to apply 🛑⚠️ We are #NowHiring an Individual Placement to serve at the Blue Ridge Parkway with one of the only remaining in-house sign shops in the National Park Service. This is an incredible opportunity to learn a unique trade while living in a beautiful area. Park housing is available, however they are seeking someone who is from the Roanoke as this could turn into a permanent role. Apply now ----> https://lnkd.in/em9TF7mx

Will you be in the DC region on June 14? Recognize National Service and Conservation Corps Day and come #ServeOutdoors with us! Register today for The Corps Network's 9th #GreatOutdoors Day of Service. 🔹DATE: Friday, June 14, 2024 🔹TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 🔹WHERE: Fort Washington Park, just outside Washington, DC 🔹WHAT: Celebrate Corps and the importance of service on our #publiclands. We will assist the park with maintenance and beautification projects to help prepare for this historic site's 200th anniversary celebration later this year. ✅ REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/d24T8ZRA #AmericanClimateCorps #GreatOutdoorsMonth

Thank you so much Conservation Legacy and Appalachian Conservation Corps for giving me the opportunity to attend Biden’s Earth Day press release last week! It was so exciting to meet everyone working toward the same environmental and climate goals, including (but not limited to) Senator Sanders, Representative AOC, Senator Markey, and the President himself. (He held my hand!)