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Appalachian Conservation Corps

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Adult Conservation Crews

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ACC adult crews offer an immersive experience, completing hands-on conservation service work in natural resource conservation and environmental stewardship. On these crews, young adults, generally ages 18-30, are selected to serve in an AmeriCorps National Service Term on a seasonal basis (spring, summer, and/or fall) to complete meaningful projects on public lands. Projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, historic restoration, and much more. Technical training, hands on experience, and professional development opportunities are provided. Crew sizes vary from 5-8 people including 2 Crew Leaders (a Staff Crew Leader and an AmeriCorps Crew Leader). Participants serve on a hitch schedule, camping out in the field for up to 10 days at a time followed by a set period of days off. Common schedules include 9 days on/5 days off and 5 days on/2 days off. Food is provided while crews are in the field and participants are encouraged to bring their own outdoor gear and equipment. Participants may borrow ACC gear as needed (discuss gear needs with your recruiter).

Participants are expected to:

  • Work effectively as a member of a crew
  • Perform heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects
  • Work outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapt to various climates
  • Camp overnight outdoors in wilderness areas or near work sites for short or extended periods of time
  • Effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills and outdoor living skills
  • Actively participate in environmental education activities
  • Practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned
  • Use, maintain, and repair hand and power tools as necessary
  • Provide for their own transportation, food, and housing during days off

Participants are encouraged to serve for multiple seasons within AmeriCorps limits and encouraged to apply for Leadership Development, Crew Leader, and Assistant Crew Leader positions.

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Women's+ Chainsaw Crews

The Women's+ Saw Crew is a space that centers the experiences of women and is open to all trans women, cis women, and non-binary people. No prior saw experience is required. These crews learn how to safely use a variety of tools including chainsaws and trail tools to complete conservation projects in partnership with public land managers. The Women's+ Saw Crew provides a supportive learning environment for crew members to work, learn from, and grow with one another while building chainsaw skills and acquiring certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship.

For more information about these crews, contact Sarah Akers: sakers@conservationlegacy.org, (304) 940-5586

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Our Women's+ Crews in their own words:

“I like being able to work with like-minded people who may share similar experiences. I feel comfortable to be who I authentically am.”

"There isn’t a culture of one upsmanship on this type of crew that I’ve experienced in other areas. We’re a team and aren’t competing against each other."

"There is a strong, beautiful community here, where people say things like 'you want to learn - and you’re open to suggestions? Okay great, let's start.'"