Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2022, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa engaged 387 youth and young adults in meaningful service, leadership development, and environmental stewardship. In partnership with nearly 100 federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofit partners, and project hosts, these young people planted over 50,000 trees and shrubs, improved and restored over 17,000 acres of land through prescribed burns, and constructed or maintained over 400 miles of trails last year. Project work took place throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and 6 other states. Examples of the inspiring and rewarding projects include: reconstructing a stone stairway portage in the Boundary Waters Wilderness with the Great Lakes Trailbuilders; responding to floods in Missouri following a series of severe thunderstorms, totaling more than 4,000 hours serving this community; and planting 850 trees with Linn County Conservation to help repair damage from the 2020 derecho in Iowa.
Current Goals
In 2023, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa will continue focusing on the top five priority areas outlined in our 2020-2023 strategic framework. These priorities include building leadership capacity and skills, strengthening management and operational systems, renewing and strengthening our programming, attracting and retaining a diverse pool of applicants (youth and young adults), and developing and fostering strategic relationships. Overall, our program goal is to engage 350-400 youth and young adults in meaningful service, leadership development, and environmental stewardship. Additional goals include advancing our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion goals, and initiating a new strategic planning committee to outline the process for a new 3-year strategic framework for 2024-2026.
Community or Constituency Served
Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa serves youth and young adults, ages 15 to 35, from diverse urban and rural, economic, and social backgrounds, primarily from across Minnesota and Iowa, to become more connected to the environment, engaged in conservation, involved in the community, and prepared for future employment.
Geographic Area Served
Conservation Corps manages 8 regional offices based in communities throughout Minnesota and Iowa. These offices support projects on over 46,000 acres of public lands, parks, wetlands, and waterways throughout the Midwest region. When Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa support natural disaster response efforts, AmeriCorps members are often deployed to areas throughout the United States.
