American Conservation Experience Katie Lawrence - Summer 2016
Mission American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America’s public lands. ACE is grounded in the philosophy that cooperative labor on meaningful conservation projects fosters cross-cultural understanding and operates on the belief that challenging volunteer service unites people of all backgrounds in common cause.
Our Cause National Parks, National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, wilderness areas and other public lands throughout the United States are imperiled by a combination of dynamics that threaten habitat, endanger vital ecosystems, and compromise the non-negotiable right of the next generation to explore the natural world. While population growth leads to habitat loss, sacrifice of open space, and acute pressure on native wildlife and plant species, America’s land managers face a chronic shortfall of funding to restore our nation’s most treasured lands. Job Description AmeriCorps Members will spend 12 weeks in the great outdoors gaining valuable skills and growing both personally and professionally while serving on a variety of ACE projects. Corps Members will have the chance to experience a wide variety of projects during their service including: trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, fence construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, fuels reduction, erosion control, wildlife or botanical surveys, and more. Job Requirements
Must be 18-25
Must be able to work 10 hours for 8 days straight, in extreme weather conditions. Work may include but is not limited to rigorous hiking, lifting and carrying heavy tools, and operating heavy machinery.
No previous conservation experience is required
Must be flexible
Job Benefits Housing is provided however food is only provided while working. This means you will be responsible for meals on your off days which are typically 6 days. Although this job is technically volunteering, you will receive a living stipend, $110 every week. On your off days you will be able to travel anywhere you wish, however you must be able to provide your own transportation. We will also give you the opportunity to learn and grow in the field of parks and land management.
Personal Achievements Gained knowledge in trail building, trail maintenance, armored drains, junk drains, dry stone masonry, wet stone masonry, herbicide, historical restoration, log crossings, and swamping.