Conservation Legacy

After years of dedication, the Ramsey Cascades Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is officially open! So proud of our team from Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) to have been part of this multi-year restoration effort alongside the National Park Service, Friends of the Smokies, and countless volunteers. From constructing new footlog bridges to building over 600 stone steps and regrading 2.5 miles of trail, SECC crews worked tirelessly to restore this iconic trail with natural materials and sustainable methods. We’re honored to contribute to the lasting legacy of Ramsey Cascades Trail, ensuring visitors can safely enjoy this stunning journey to the park’s tallest waterfall for generations to come! Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Southeast Conservation Corps

Shoutout to the Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) crews for their incredible service at Catoctin Mountain Park! Since 2022, ACC trail and invasive species crews have been restoring trails, managing invasive plants, and protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources. Trail crews have enhanced over 25 miles of hiking paths by constructing stone steps, filling erosion-caused holes with crushed rock, and building sustainable trail surfaces. Invasive plant crews have managed more than a dozen species across 100 acres of forest, focusing on imperiled plant communities near the Greentop Campground and promoting forest regeneration to combat climate change. Read the full article about their efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gMG-Ym8r Appalachian Conservation Corps CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK

We want to give a big shout out and congratulations to Nate Peters, Watershed Programs Manager with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), for receiving Friends of Verde River's Nonprofit Partner Award! Nate has dedicated his career to conservation, leading watershed restoration efforts across the Southwest. Since 2021, under his leadership, SCC has supported the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition (VWRC) partnership by monitoring 5,943 acres and mapping 4,865 invasive species populations—data critical to informing restoration efforts along the Verde River! We’re proud to have Nate on the Conservation Legacy team and grateful for his commitment to preserving watersheds and leading meaningful partnerships. Thank you for your exceptional work, Nate, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Southwest Conservation Corps Friends of the Verde River

Since 1998, Conservation Legacy has been on a mission to protect and restore our land, empowering young people and veterans along the way! Through eight regional and national programs, we’re creating future leaders who are ready to make a difference. Want to help us keep the momentum going? Your support funds vital projects, strengthens communities, and builds a sustainable future. Join us in making an impact—donate today and be part of something bigger! Donate today to make it happen: https://ow.ly/eQsK50Ua0rJ Check out this video to see our crews and individual placements in action: https://ow.ly/1upU50Ua0rI Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Arizona Conservation Corps Appalachian Conservation Corps Conservation Corps North Carolina Conservation Corps New Mexico Southeast Conservation Corps Southwest Conservation Corps Stewards Individual Placements

Alumni, it’s time to come full circle! Join the Alumni Circle today with a $10 donation, and continue the legacy of care, stewardship, and service you helped build. Your support fuels hands-on conservation projects, empowers youth and veterans, and strengthens local ecosystems nationwide. Whether you spent a season, a year, or more with Conservation Legacy, your impact lives on—let’s keep it going! Join the Alumni Circle today and help protect our lands and communities. Join Today ?? https://ow.ly/lLTs50U7qnq

Today, we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Your commitment to our country’s freedom and safety is deeply appreciated. At Conservation Legacy, we are especially proud of the veterans in our Veterans Fire Corps and other programs who have chosen to continue their service in new ways. From protecting our nation’s public lands to mitigating wildfire threats, your contributions make a lasting impact on both our environment and our communities. To all veterans, we thank you for your service and for continuing to lead and inspire. To learn more about our veteran-focused programs and opportunities, visit https://lnkd.in/guCc8ExE #VeteransDay #ConservationLegacy #VeteransFireCorps #ContinuedService #PublicLands

?? Meet Mason Bunker, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA as Strategic Planning Coordinator for the National Parks of Boston Climate Conservation Corps! Mason is diving deep into projects that support climate resilience—from crafting a five-year strategic plan to mapping fieldwork sites and engaging with community partners. Growing up exploring national parks like Acadia, his love for conservation started young and led him to where he is today, helping shape climate response efforts with @nationalparkservice. Fun fact: Mason has a collection of Junior Ranger badges from parks across New England! Check out his story here ?? https://ow.ly/40Io50TVLBU AmeriCorps

Last week, Conservation Corps North Carolina and Southwest Conservation Corps were able to join the efforts of Hurricane Helene relief by sending out Disaster Response Teams to North Carolina and Florida, joining over 140 AmeriCorps members deployed to assist with recovery efforts. Our crews will be on the ground, providing vital support in debris removal, shelter operations, emergency supply distribution, and volunteer coordination to help local communities begin the long road to rebuilding. We are so proud and grateful for our crews across the country willing to step in during these critical times of need. As stated by CEO of AmeriCorps Michael Smith, “Our members are uniquely trained to respond to these situations, and their commitment to helping communities recover and rebuild after disasters – and in the months and years to come – is at the heart of our mission.” Conservation Corps North Carolina Southwest Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Voices for National Service

Grateful and proud of our incredible crews from Conservation Corps North Carolina and Southwest Conservation Corps on the ground providing essential hurricane disaster relief. Their resilience and dedication are a powerful reminder of the impact of service in times of need.???

?? Big news! Conservation Legacy is thrilled to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors: Chris Bicknell, Dale Threatt-Taylor, and Koby Langley! Each brings a unique set of skills and expertise to help us expand opportunities for young people to engage in conservation across the nation. Our new board members dove right in, joining us at our October 24th board meeting in Shenandoah National Park, where they actively contributed to strategic planning, governance, and community engagement efforts. Click here to learn more about our new board members ?? https://ow.ly/Ejlw50TVBBu