Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa cultivates a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet.

Prepare the next generation of environmental leaders!

Over the past five years, more than 1,900 youth and young adults from Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) have planted over a quarter of a million trees and improved nearly 3,500 miles of trails/ waterways. If you live in Minnesota or Iowa, you’ve likely enjoyed a park, trail, or natural area that’s been touched by one of our Corpsmembers.

These young people who dedicate a summer, a year, or multiple years to improving our public lands rely on several benefits and resources we provide to help jump-start their future education and careers. One of those benefits is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

What is the Education Award? Why is it important?

The Education Award is one of the many benefits AmeriCorps members receive after completing a term of service. For many young people who serve with us, the award can jump-start their future by enabling them to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, learn a new trade, take classes to enhance a skill, or pay down existing student loans.

“The Ed award allowed me to experience things outside my comfort zone and continue my learning and growing past my time with CCMI.” – Anna, 2021 Individual Placement Corpsmember

“I used my education award to obtain a graduate certificate in GIS and spatial analysis. Without the Education Award, I would not have been able to take those classes, and would not be where I am now.” – Evan, 2018 Field Crew Corpsmember

Earlier this year, three of our five AmeriCorps grants were impacted by the unexpected AmeriCorps funding reductions. Despite our best efforts to retain and support our members through the funding changes, some of our 2025 Corpsmembers are facing a decrease in the Education Award they had been counting on receiving at the end of their service term.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is committed to filling this gap for our impacted Corpsmembers, but to do that, we need your help to raise the $65,000 to make up the difference. Today, we're 47% of the way to our $65,000 goal. Help us reach the finish line by November 20!

Will you step up to support Corpsmembers who were impacted by the changes to AmeriCorps funding? Donate now to jump-start a young person’s future.

With your support and partnership, we will continue to be resilient and adapt. We know that our young people and communities in Iowa and Minnesota depend on us, and we are determined to continue to fulfill our mission.

ABOUT US
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee, engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters.

conservationcorps.org

As a Charities Review Council Meet Standards® nonprofit, you can rest assured that your dollars are going to good use. Our organization is committed to accountability, transparency, and with your support, an even greater impact on the community.