AmeriCorps Members in DEC

Teaching, Toiling, Learning and Earning

DEC's long association with youth conservation programs began in the 1930s with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and continues today with several AmeriCorps programs. Through these partnerships, young men and women complete a wide range of conservation service projects, such as watershed protection, trail enhancement, wildlife habitat protection, and public education and outreach. Within DEC, the Division of Public Affairs and Education coordinates our partnerships with AmeriCorps programs.

Today's AmeriCorps programs receive federal grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. At DEC, our partners' AmeriCorps members serve full time for a 5-month or 10-month period. The 10-month service generally starts in early January, and the 5-month positions usually start in April. AmeriCorps members receive a modest stipend and health benefits. Upon successful completion of the program, all participants receive an AmeriCorps educational award, used for higher education tuition or to repay student loans.

Student Conservation Association Programs

Two programs are administered by the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The SCA Hudson Valley Conservation Corps places AmeriCorps members at DEC facilities, state parks and historic sites in the Hudson River watershed area. SCA AmeriCorps members expand the public's knowledge about the river and its resources. They lead canoe trips, coordinate trail work, develop programs for children and the general public, and participate in special events, such as Earth Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps members get together as a team each month to implement service projects or to receive in-service training. This program is jointly sponsored by DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with additional participation from environmental organizations in the Hudson Valley.

The SCA New York Adirondacks AmeriCorps is a residential program based at the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area on Little Tupper Lake. For five months, 10 young adults improve and restore public trails and land, remove invasive species and restore fire towers in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. They also maintain trails, campsites and historic buildings throughout the area. Members receive a living allowance stipend, health insurance, food and housing.

Sample of Education Effort

SCA AmeriCorps members have been instrumental in launching the After-School Conservation Club (ASCC) in New York City. This is a collaborative effort of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), United Neighborhood Houses (UNH), and The After-School Corporation (TASC). With support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and New York City Environmental Fund of the Hudson River Foundation, ASCC is located at 10 sites throughout the five boroughs of New York City. For 10 weeks in the fall and again in spring, elementary school children in after-school programs participate in environmental education activities conducted by AmeriCorps members and stewardship projects coordinated by their host sites. DEC staff and AmeriCorps members provide training and advice to the youth counselors who supervise the children on how to conduct environmental education activities and stewardship projects.

DEC Hosts Service Project

AmeriCorps members in the Hudson Valley program meet monthly for service projects and training. For three days in September 2006, 26 AmeriCorps members of the Student Conservation Association's (SCA) Hudson Valley Conservation Corps descended on Staten Island to help Region 2 Marine Resources, Operations, and Education staff on a tidal wetlands enhancement. About 30 people participated in the service project by removing woody debris such as large tree branches, telephone poles and pieces of docks and piers over three days. What they pulled out was enough to fill four 30-yard dumpsters.

Besides tackling the labor-intensive work, SCA AmeriCorps members participated in skills development workshops and toured the Solaire Building in Manhattan, the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified luxury residential high-rise in North America. AmeriCorps members stayed in cabins at Pouch Boy Scout Camp for the week. In return for the lodging, the members offered a presentation and activities for Boy Scouts to earn their Nature merit badge, fulfilling four of 10 requirements for the badge.

Partners in Central and Western New York

DEC also partners with the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) in central New York and the West Seneca Service Action Corps (WSSAC) near Buffalo. HYCC conducts projects at the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne and WSSAC completes projects at the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Depew. These corps focus on stewardship efforts, especially making trails accessible to people with disabilities, improving trail safety, and enhancing wildlife habitat.

Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy Legacy

Many of the state forests and parks that we enjoy today were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps more than 60 years ago. DEC's partnerships with AmeriCorps programs reflect the lasting legacy of the CCC. Young men and women in today's corps develop skills and talents, while providing lasting benefits to our state's natural resources and communities.

Find out more about participating in AmeriCorps programs that partner with DEC, contact the following:

SCA Hudson Valley Program
P.O. Box 699
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 255-4758

SCA Adirondacks Program
NY Adirondack AmeriCorps Program
HCO1, Box 2C
Long Lake, NY 12847
(518) 624-6126

Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps
c/o The Place
20 East Main Street
P.O. Box 509
Norwich, NY 13815
(607) 336-9696

West Seneca Service Action Corps
2001 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
(716) 674-5600 ext. 325

For information about other service and conservation corps programs in New York State, contact:

New York State Corps Collaboration
Suite 200
24 Century Hill Drive
Albany, NY 12110
(518) 470-4995