A Closer Look at our Local GulfCorps Partners
July 19, 2018
The GulfCorps model involves local, community-level engagement by contracting with existing conservation corps organizations to recruit, train, and mobilize members to conduct restoration work. This model optimizes both regional consistency in program development, and local participation and expertise at the project level. Regional corps organization partners come from each state on the Gulf Coast.
Student Conservation Association in Alabama
The Student Conservation Association out of Mobile, Alabama partners with hundreds of area parks, forests and wildlife refuges to protect the Gulf area’s unique natural and cultural sites from climate change, habitat encroachment, invasive species and more. They collaborate with the region’s academic institutions – including its many historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving schools – to ensure that all local students have access to the Great Outdoors, green job opportunities and a prosperous future.
Photo: Student Conservation Association
Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast in Florida
The Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast in Florida is a comprehensive youth development program for young adults 18-25 years of age, with exceptions for: veterans, who can participate up to 29 years old, and 16 year-olds, who can participate in summer internships. The program provides participants with job training, academic programming, leadership skills, and additional support through a strategy of service that conserves, protects and improves the environment, as well as community resilience. Participants accomplish a wide-range of habitat restoration projects throughout the region, like invasive species removal, living shoreline installation, oyster reef restoration, water quality monitoring, and pine savanna restoration.
Photo:Mike Dumas © TNC
Limitless Vistas, Inc. in Louisiana
Limitless Vista, Inc. out of New Orleans, Louisiana has a mission is to help young adults obtain the skills and knowledge to become gainfully employed in the environmental or conservation industries, build a hopeful future, develop civic pride, and establish lifelong conservation skills and attitudes. The program provides free environmental conservation workforce development and job training, and is strongly based on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and is led by local scientists and professionals. Graduates have the skills, certifications and knowledge needed to begin a career as well-rounded environmental or conservation field technicians or other opportunities.
Photo: Jeff Dequattro, TNC
CLIMB CDC Conservation Corps in Mississippi
The CLIMB CDC Conservation Corps in Mississippi is a conservation workforce that engages motivated young adults, ages 18-25, to complete impactful conservation projects throughout Mississippi. Projects include trail construction and maintenance, habitat improvement, wildfire prevention activities, re-vegetation, and local environmental service projects. Programs focus on place based learning, life skills development, conservation service work, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. CLIMB also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment, environmental issues, and get introductions to recreation and resource management careers.
Photo: Bill Marr © TNC
American Youthworks in Texas
American YouthWorks out of Galveston, Texas provides young people with opportunities to build careers, strengthen communities, and improve the environment through education, on-the-job training, and service to others. It is a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps accredited program that empowers young people through AmeriCorps service, conservation, education, and jobs training. The program recruits people who have a passion for the environment and working outdoors, and an interest in gaining new skill sets and experiences. Participants engage in hands-on projects on public lands, coastal regions, and disaster areas throughout the natural landscapes of Texas and its surrounding states.
Photo: Mary Warwick © Artist Boat