Case for Support

Purpose: Established in 2003 with a grant from the Daniels Fund, the American Conservation Corps offers financially disadvantaged college-age students a summer's work in our magnificent national park and forest. The long-term goal of this program is to cultivate the conservationists of tomorrow.

History: Created to introduce college-age scholarship students to the wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park, the American Conservation Corps began with a $50,000 gift from the Daniels Fund. Subsequent donations have enabled the Corps to employ a total of 29 students during its first four years. In 2006 the Corps expanded by adding a crew to assist the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service give guidance and training to the Corps, along with providing vehicles for transportation. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association supervises the program.

Accomplishments: Summer work for the Corps includes maintaining trails, repairing historic buildings, and restoring natural landscapes. Students are provided with on the job training as well as educational opportunities and exposure to careers in conservation and work within federal agencies. Examples of tasks accomplished by the Corps include:  a) Staining and repair of the Shadow Mountain Lookout; b) Reconstructing trails near Mills Lake and The Loch within Rocky Mountain National Park; c) Clearing and maintaining thirty miles of trail in the Rawah and Comanche Peak Wilderness of the Roosevelt National Forest.

Sample student comments about the program:

"I've had one of the most eventful summers of my life." Bryan

"That was my first day of hard work and although it almost killed me, I loved it." Lacey

"I think the most appealing thing about this is you get to disappear for a while and focus solely on your work." Amy

Annual Need: $56,881 to field a crew of six; $100,000 for two crews. The annual budget includes paying each participant a generous wage ($9.00 per hour in 2006), enabling these students to save for their college expenses. The budget includes lodging expenses for both the students and crew leaders, basic field equipment like gloves, work clothing, backpacks, safety glasses, and hiking boots.

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