Updates & Stories
Eco Rangers as told by David Rittenhouse
Interviewee: David Rittenhouse (Pictured in top right photo)AmeriCorps Youth Crew Leader Youth Outdoors/Eco Rangers Read More
Shovel Point Trail Work Nearing Completion
Since 2011, Conservation Corps field crews have been working to improve accessibility to one of the North Shore’s most popular sites,… Read More
Save The Date: 80th Birthday Celebration September 14
With memories of the Minnesota State Fair still fresh in your mind, head back to the fairgrounds on September 14 from… Read More
Little Fork Blood Drive
“So you guys are here for the Little Fork blood drive.” Andrew, our project host, said as he led us back to his office to go over river maps with us. “The bugs are really bad at this time of year, and the Little Fork is about as remote as anything.” Read More
Snakes and Buckthorn in Southeastern Minnesota
Lately my crew has been given the task of pulling garlic mustard. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is from the mustard family (Brassicaceae) which is related to cabbage, horseradish, broccoli, ect. You can tell it is the right plant because when you rub its leaves between your fingers it smells like garlic. Garlic Mustard is an invasive species that is detrimental to the species richness of the area because it out competes all of the native plants. Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have made great strides in removing garlic mustard by manually pulling in the spring and spraying them in the fall. They are easy to spot in the fall because they stay green after most things turn brown. Read More
Summer experience sure to be unforgettable
This year, 150 youth will participate in one of two Summer Youth Corps sessions, along with 26 AmeriCorps crew leaders, two swampers, two cooks and five head staff members. Read More
Crew deploys to Oklahoma for disaster relief
Crew members from Iowa deployed to Oklahoma for disaster relief.Wednesday morning, June 12, 13 crew members from Iowa, led by Mark… Read More
Project Get Outdoors
This year, Conservation Corps placed 12 young adults in year-long positions – called Individual Placements – with conservation nonprofits or government agencies. These members serve… Read More
Restoration by fire
Every spring and fall, field crew members perform prescribed burns to restore and maintain natural prairies and oak savannas. Burning cleans up the… Read More
Schmidt Foundation equips southeast Minnesota burn crews
The Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation has significantly increased the capacity of southeast Minnesota crews to restore prairie and oak savannas using prescribed burns. Grants… Read More