Updates & Stories

On December 26, the Boxing Day Fire burned 750 acres of woods near the northwestern Minnesota city of Gully and the Hangaard State Wildlife Management… Read More

Six of our alumni from the CCC to today — representing the ‘eras’ of our history –– have shared their stories in a series… Read More

Last Thursday, corps member Mary Hammes deftly took down a towering balsam that has become the 26th Governor’s Christmas Tree. She assisted… Read More

In October, Conservation Corps young adult crews from Iowa and Minnesota completed a boardwalk bridge in McIntire, Iowa that connects two sections of the Wapsi… Read More

Youth Outdoors (YO) members and leaders spent Saturday, October 15 learning about sustainable energy use, focused on conservation and alternative energy use at… Read More

Crew improves Perch Lake Park In July and August, the Conservation Corps’ Mankato crew made major improvements to Perch Lake Park, located in northern Martin… Read More

Maplewood, Minn. – As a nonprofit business, and not a state government agency, Conservation Corps Minnesota will continue to operate through the state shutdown. Our crews of youth and young adults will work until we have exhausted our contracts with project partners that are not state entities or located at state facilities. Read More

Ames, Iowa – Conservation Corps Iowa has deployed 10 corps members and a team leader to Joplin, Mo. for 30 days, to assist with search and rescue, debris clean-up, donations and volunteer management, following the devastating tornado that ripped through the town on May 22. Field Specialist Matt McKenney is leading the team, which is working alongside other AmeriCorps teams, including National Civilian Community Corps, AmeriCorps St. Louis, Washington Conservation Corps and Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corp. Read More

Volunteers and Conservation Corps Minnesota youth program members cleaned up a section of the scenic St. Croix River near Afton State Park’s beach and fishing pier on July 24. They pulled plants, shrubs and small trees that had encroached on the rocky banks. In three hours, their work was complete, opening a clear vista of the river for park visitors. The beautification project was made possible by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, which also supports youth participants from the St. Croix Valley. Read More

Conservation Corps Minnesota is seeking volunteers to help youth crews wrap trees to protect them from deer, remove buckthorn and help restore Afton State Park’s native prairie, oak savanna and bluffs that overlook the scenic St. Croix River. Participants will learn about the park’s history and how invasive species and other predators have affected natural habitats. Read More