Rocky Mountain Conservancy: Conservation Corps
The Conservation Corps provides a unique service-learning experience for college students interested in natural resource conservation. For ten weeks, crews work side by side with park and forest service teams in Rocky Mountain National Park and USDA National Forests building and maintaining trails, restoring historic buildings, and learning from expert RMNP researchers and staff.
History and Purpose
Originally established through a grant from the Daniels Fund, the goal of the Conservation Corps is to expose students to rigorous service work while providing a positive educational experience in natural resource conservation to cultivate the conservationists of tomorrow.
The Conservation Corps places four to six trail crews of six students in significant field sites under the supervision of Rocky Mountain National Park and Forest Services staff. Student crew leaders and assistants gain the knowledge and responsibility needed to develop critical leadership skills. Crew members are exposed to career opportunities and accomplish the satisfying work of protecting and preserving our natural and cultural heritage. This program has proved to be a successful way of introducing college students to hands-on conservation and a life-long commitment to stewardship.
Annual Need
On average, this program needs $200,000 of annual support. The Conservation Corps is dependent on grants and donations. Funds raised go to equipment and supplies for crew members, stipends, program management and hiring and recruitment costs. Be a part of the crew’s conservation efforts by making a financial contribution today.
The Benefit for Participants
The Conservation Corps program offers students a unique and in-depth understanding of conservation work through diverse hands-on projects in Rocky Mountain National Park. Students in the program work to maintain and restore precious natural and historic resources while learning of their importance. Through hard work, they gain an appreciation for and a connection to our valuable national park treasures. They are challenged by their leaders, experts in the field and by each other to learn new skills, find creative solutions, broaden their perspectives and achieve goals they never thought possible.