Host a Crew

Why host a Conservation Corps field crew?

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) members value hard work, community service and environmental stewardship. Crews are well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to complete a wide variety of natural resources projects throughout the greater Midwest. Members join the Corps to give back to the community while gaining technical skills and exploring future natural resources career opportunities. Conservation Corps serves government, education, and nonprofit organizations for the common good.

What can Conservation Corps crews do?

Crews complete projects on public lands and/or private lands for public benefit. Projects can range from one day to one week to several months. Crews complete projects such as:

Erosion control: Bio-engineering; slope stabilization; cedar tree revetments; coir blanket/roll installation
Vegetation management: Invasive species removal; planting; nursery activities; seed collection; shoreline and stream bank restoration; rain garden installation; timber stand improvement; prescribed burning; fire suppression
Survey & data collection: GIS/GPS mapping; water-quality sampling and monitoring; tree/plant surveys; fish/wildlife surveys; man-made feature/user surveys
Construction and carpentry: Step, retaining wall, boardwalk, or bridge construction; trail clearing and maintenance; basic carpentry; natural resource facility construction and maintenance

Host a Crew FAQs

Crews complete natural resource projects for the public good in Minnesota, Iowa, and surrounding states. Crews participate in extensive training when the join the program, with refreshers and on-the-job training throughout their service. Fully equipped crews then travel to projects each day or “spike camp” at project locations for up to two weeks at a time.
AmeriCorps and youth members are considered program participants (not employees) and receive a living allowance for their service. AmeriCorps members are enrolled in a national service program, and they receive an education award upon successfully completing their service term.
Conservation Corps staff are responsible for crew scheduling and oversight, and members are covered by CCMI workers compensation.
Project sponsor involvement will vary depending on the nature of the project.

Complete the project request form online. Upon submission of the form, you will receive an email copy of your request and Corps staff will be notified of your project.
A manager will contact you with crew availability and negotiate project terms and rates. A contract will be drafted and agreed upon by both parties.
The project will be scheduled and work can begin. Project hosts should communicate tool and equipment needs prior to project start, meet the crew in the field on the first day for a site overview and task assignment, and check in with the crew periodically to monitor progress.
Manager can provide project planning and logistical support if needed, including materials acquisition and project design.

Conservation Corps offers AmeriCorps field crews and youth field crews. Each AmeriCorps crew includes 1-2 leaders and 3-5 members, all ages 18–35 years old. Each youth crew includes 2 leaders, ages 19 – 35, and up to 8 youth members, ages 15 – 18.

AmeriCorps crews typically work 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday, late February to mid-December. For local projects, crews report to the shop at 7:00 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m. Equipment maintenance, load time, drive time, and a 30-minute lunch break are included in the 10-hour service day. For non-local projects, crews can camp near the work site for up to 12 consecutive days. Crews are equipped to camp in warm or mild temperatures; in cold weather, crews stay in the least expensive lodging closest to the project site. Food and lodging costs will be negotiated in the contract.

Youth crews typically work 7-hour days, including drive time, Monday through Friday, Early-July through mid-August. Crews depart their campsite at 8:00 a.m. and return by 3:30 p.m. They will break for lunch for 30 minutes. Crews typically camp on or near the work site.

Crews are based throughout Minnesota and in central Iowa. District and program managers (listed below) oversee crews in their region, scheduling projects throughout the greater Midwest.

All staff can be reached at 651.209.9900 via a dial by name directory, and additional details can be found on the online staff directory.

Northern Minnesota
- AmeriCorps crews work in Northern Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan
Central Minnesota
- AmeriCorps crews work in the Twin Cities metro area
Southern Minnesota
- AmeriCorps crews work in Southern Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming
Iowa
- AmeriCorps crews work in Iowa, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana
Summer Youth Corps
- Youth crews work around Minnesota and surrounding states
Youth Outdoors
- AmeriCorps crews and youth crews work in the Twin Cities metro area

15-20% of the AmeriCorps member term is dedicated to technical and personal skill training and certifications with an emphasis on safety. Training includes chainsaw and brushsaw operation, trail maintenance, herbicide application, first aid/CPR, and red card certification. Project hosts should incorporate education into the project through site introductions, ecological and social benefits of the work, and other project-specific skills.

Youth crew leaders have a range of knowledge and skills. Besides technical skills in natural resource management, they are trained in youth leadership and safety. Crew leaders receive Wilderness First Aid certification. Youth are trained at base camp and quickly gain skills needed to complete projects. Youth are selected for the program based on interest and commitment; about one in four applicants is enrolled.

AmeriCorps crews:

4WD pick-up trucks with trailers to haul equipment or project material
Large equipment such as slip-on firefighting units, ATVs, snowmobiles, Gators or Rangers, motorboats, canoes
Power tools such as chain saws, brush saws, power-pole saws, drills, routers, generators
Hand tools such as shovels, rakes, picks, pulaskis, post-pounders, hammers, wheelbarrows
Backpack sprayers and handheld herbicide application equipment
Prescribed burn gear including Nomex attire, bladder bags, fire shelters, drip torches
GPS handheld units
Rubber boots, hip waders, chest waders, PFDs
Personal protective gear including steel-toe boots, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, chaps
Camping supplies including tents, sleeping bags, stoves, water containers, cooler

Youth crews:

Hand tools such as shovels, rakes, picks, pulaskis, post-pounders, hammers, wheelbarrows
Rubber boots, hip waders, chest waders, PFDs
Personal protective gear including steel-toe boots, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, chaps
Camping supplies including tents, sleeping bags, stoves, water containers, cooler

AmeriCorps crews: The base rate for AmeriCorps crews is $31.00/person/hour. For out-of-town “spike” projects, food and lodging costs will be negotiated in the contract.

Youth crews: The rate for youth crews is $21/person/hour. Additionally, crew cost includes meals and camping expenses, if camping location is not provided. An 10-11 person crew typically incurs $9,430 – $11,805 per week, depending on if camping is provided or not.

Inquire about cost-share opportunities to help defray the cost of a crew.