Apply To Be A NYS Environmental Steward

Looking for a way to make a difference in this crazy world? The Excelsior Conservation Corps is currently accepting applications through Valentine’s Day for environmental stewardships in New York state.

The ECC is a 10-month residential AmeriCorps program, run by the Student Conservation Association, a multi-agency partnership, and is designed to address the environmental and conservation needs of our state while providing leadership opportunities, employment training, and college scholarships.

The program, starting toward the end of this month, is available for up to 40 full-time positions for young adults 18 to 25 and veterans up to age 28.

The stewardship includes housing and meals, no-cost health insurance, a $180 weekly stipend, and over $6000 toward college tuition from Americorps upon completion.

What does the job entail? The members work with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to complete projects on state lands. Serving on teams of 10, projects may include improving the infrastructure of buildings and improving sustainability (including solar array installation); invasive species removal, trail construction, and erosion control; surveying for invasive species or habitat types & assessing culverts; and outreach at fairs & festivals as well as running interpretive and educational programming.

Those interested should apply at www.ny.gov/ECC no later than Friday, February 14.