AmeriCorps Project Conserve seeks dedicated individuals to fill 32 full-time positions serving critical conservation needs in western North Carolina. Each full-time member will serve 1700 hours from September 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The program places members in service with one of 14 host site organizations working to protect the unique natural resources of the southern Blue Ridge Mountain region.

Members connect people with nature and enhance quality of life through conservation education, volunteer recruitment/coordination, and trail creation/improvement. Members also improve environmental conditions in WNC through activities including habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and public land and river improvement projects.

Project Conserve strives to foster a culture that celebrates and supports equity, diversity, and inclusion, learning and continuous improvement, and high quality community service. AmeriCorps positions provide unique opportunities for members to develop leadership and professional skills to support their future career goals. Members participate in training and service days up to three days per month with the full Project Conserve team and on an ongoing basis as part of their host site service. Training may cover a broad range of topics including conflict resolution, wilderness first aid and CPR/AED, project planning, non-native invasive species identification, trail construction, volunteer management, and education program development.

Our Host Sites
Asheville GreenWorks, Conserving Carolina, Environmental Quality Institute (EQI), Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mills River Partnership, MountainTrue, Polk County Parks & Recreation, RiverLink, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, The North Carolina Arboretum Society, Town of Lake Lure/Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, Transylvania County Cooperative Extension, and WNC Communities’ Hemlock Restoration Initiative.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service
• Fulfill minimum education requirements (See individual service descriptions)
• Be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States
• Be available between September 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 and commit to the full service term
• Consent to a criminal history check and be cleared for service
• Meet additional qualifications and essential functions as listed in the individual service descriptions.