February 2, 2021 | Conservation Legacy Celebrates Biden Administration Executive Order Establishing a Civilian Climate Corps, Poised to Engage the Next Generation of Stewards

DURANGO, CO. Conservation Legacy applauds President Joseph R. Biden’s establishment of a Civilian Climate Corps initiative through an executive order, signed January 27, 2021, and is standing ready to assist the Administration in providing work opportunities, engaging Americans in addressing climate change and building community resiliency.

Conservation Legacy has operated conservation and service programs for over 23 years, working in close collaboration with public and private partners and funders. “With a great need comes the potential for great impact—our public lands and waters desperately need our care and protection. Conservation Legacy connects a diverse array of people to public lands through meaningful conservation service opportunities in their local communities. We are ready and excited to lead the next generation of conservation workers in a concerted effort to combat the environmental challenges we face today,” stated Rob Spath, Chief Executive Officer.

From ecological monitoring to fire fuels mitigation to watershed and wetland restoration, Conservation Legacy’s many programs align with the call to address climate change. The organization has programming regularly in operation in all 50 U.S. state and territories, supporting a range of deeply impactful project work with local, state and national land management agencies and environmental organizations.

As an example of this work, the Scientists-in-the-Parks (SIP) Program successfully placed 159 interns in 64 parks in every region of the National Park Service (NPS). These talented college students and recent graduates completed important natural resource science projects, gaining on-the-ground experience—obtaining an understanding of the importance of conservation and resource stewardship on public lands. “The need for conservation and preservation is more pertinent now than ever,” reflected one intern. “With changes in climate, technology and population, it is imperative to do what we can to protect what is left of our natural areas and ensure that they will be around for future generations to enjoy.” The SIP program is run in partnership with NPS, The Geological Society of America and Conservation Legacy.

Collectively, corps programs across the country annually enroll roughly 25,000 young people. In December 2020, a proposal was released to scale the existing Corps community to engage 500,000 diverse young people and recent veterans over the next five years to complete conservation, clean energy, resilience, and sustainable infrastructure projects. The proposal emphasizes that investments in scaling and expanding corps should be equitable, with a focus on intentionally enrolling and supporting women, young people of color, urban and rural youth and communities who have been underserved. Conservation Legacy is part of the network of 130 corps across the country that are prepared to do this work.

Continuing the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Conservation Legacy engages individuals to complete important conservation service projects throughout the nation, envisioning a legacy of healthy lands, air and water; thriving people and resilient communities.

Conservation Legacy provides support for local conservation service programs under the leadership of a national organization, delivering high quality programming across the country. Local corps programs are embedded in communities to make the greatest impact by meeting on the ground needs. Working in close collaboration with partners, Conservation Legacy advances goals of increasing opportunities in conservation, stewardship, national service and workforce development.