The National Park Foundation (NPF) awarded $247,337 in grants to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy in 2023 to support last summer’s Conservation Corps and High School Leadership Corps programs.
The National Park Foundation is a major supporter of service corps programs across America working to conserve national parks and other public lands. Service corps are locally based organizations that engage young adults and veterans in projects that address recreation, conservation, disaster response, and community needs.
Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Conservation Corps works with Rocky Mountain National Park, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, and other northern Colorado public lands and nonprofit conservation organizations on projects ranging from trail maintenance and construction to historic preservation and wildfire restoration and revegetation.
“For twenty years, the Conservation Corps continues to be one of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s flagship programs, educating and inspiring our next generation of land stewards,” said Executive Director Estee Rivera.
This funding provided opportunities to about 70 individuals across the High School Leadership Corps and the Conservation Corps in hands-on conservation work and outdoor experience. Other funding comes from grants, donations and proceeds from Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park license plates. This year, NPF’s $5 million in grants supported 31 service corps programs across the country.
“The National Park Foundation is dedicated to protecting and preserving the landscapes, history, and habitats that make up the National Park system for today and generations to come,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the NPF. “Through service corps crews, we can double down on this support – helping us respond to the challenges of a changing climate, and to reduce the threats to these landscapes and ecosystems.”
“As a former Service Corps member, I deeply understand that this program offers direct experience and skills training for the next generation of park stewards while addressing important projects in parks across the country,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is already looking ahead to the 2024 summer season, hiring staff and recruiting participants, with the goal of increasing the size of the corps and scope of planned projects. Information on employment opportunities and next year’s program and application procedures are available at www.RMConservancy.org.