Where Are They Now? Alumni Highlight: Karolyn Preiss
Let’s catch up with Karolyn Preiss! Karolyn served with CCMI in 2023 as a Field Crew/AmeriCorps member, partnering with the Three Rivers Park District. Since then, Karolyn has served with another AmeriCorps program, traveled around MN’s State Parks, and, most recently, experimented with various camping lifestyles.
What kind of work did you do when you were in the Corps?
My team was stationed at the Crow-Hassan Tree Nursery, and our focus was forestry. We maintained the tree nursery and worked with trees out in the field, felling hazard trees and treating invasive species in the understory.
What did you do immediately after your term with the Corps?
I applied for another AmeriCorps program and served for about 5 months at a food shelf, delivering meals door to door and expanding our community outreach.
Where are you now?
I’ve been experimenting with various camping lifestyles and am currently living in/out of a tent for the summer after trying out car camping last year. [As of July 2025]
What kind of work do you do?
I studied Entrepreneurship in college and am currently pursuing building on numerous ideas for non-profits and businesses, alike.
Were there any particularly memorable or challenging experiences during your time in the Corps?
We were taking a very tall hazard tree down near the end of our ten hour workday, and it got hooked. We were unable to fell it, and we were also an hour plus away from our homebase which made calling for help difficult. The hazard potential of the tree was now exponentially greater given that it was huge and could freefall at any time. We were stuck and had no choice but to cordon off the area until we could get more help. The tree was eventually taken down safely, but the team was put in a rough situation. It got worse before it got better, but everything was resolved. Luckily, with no extraneous damage done.
What was the most personally meaningful part of your experience with Conservation Corps?
I think it was the practical knowledge and experience that I appreciated most. Having the opportunity to do the hands-on work to physically make a difference in our world is incredibly impactful.
How did the experience shape your career/life?
I served briefly with an AmeriCorps service program the following year, then spent a few months traveling to different state parks around Minnesota. I was also fortunate enough to extend my naturalist adventures to a few southern states, as well. It has been very rewarding to see the biodiversity in the environment on a deeper level, and I love documenting every minute of it!
How did you use your education award?
I paid off the rest of my student loans from my French/Cultural Entrepreneurship degree!
What advice would you give to current members?
The days can be long and tiring–and feel never-ending–but the memories made and the experiences shared are 100% worth the hours of hard labor in the heat of summer. They will, no doubt, stay with you for many years to come. Stick with it, and KEEP LEARNING!
Any final words you’d like to share?
In my spare time I have been broadening my knowledge of plants and have created backyard-naturalist programming that takes a look at plants that are often seen in the domestic landscape such as clovers and dandelions. It has been so much fun learning and sharing in the knowledge that was inspired by my time with the Conservation Corps. I am very thankful!
Are you an alum who would like to be featured in a post?