Autumn is a wonderful time of year, full of new beginnings. As we look forward to the start of the 2018-2019 AmeriCorps Program Year, recruitment is in full force. For those who aren’t familiar, AmeriCorps is a National Service Program that encourages its members to get things done. You can learn more about what AmeriCorps is here. Our members serve in Virginia State Parks and on public land throughout the state.

Currently, we are accepting applications for two projects; the Resource Management Project and the Individual Placement Project. Both opportunities offer a pre-tax living stipend of $1,300.00 per month, a $4,266.50 Education Award upon completion, and require a commitment to serve 1200 hours between January 3 and August 31, 2019. These two opportunities have a lot to offer, each tailored to different interests, so let’s learn more.

Crew Member assists with prescribed burn after receiving
Wildland Firefighter Certification

Our Resource Management Project has members on the front lines of, you guessed it, resource management. As part of this project, members will serve on teams of three in one of the six districts in State Parks and work closely with their teammates and District Resource Specialists to mitigate the effects of invasive species throughout the Commonwealth. Prescribed burns, pesticide application, and trail maintenance, creation, and reroutes, are just a few ways our crews spend their service hours. Alumni of this program have gone on to work with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR - the agency that manages Virginia State Parks), the National Park Service, and wildland fire crews in the Pacific Northwest. The training and certifications members receive in this program will make them a desirable candidate moving forward into the field of resource management. If you are interested in this opportunity, you can find the application here.

Career Development Member receiving chainsaw training

Our newly revamped Individual Placement Project has a tight focus on career development. With time spent on grounds and facilities maintenance, interpretation, park operations, and resource management, these members receive hands on training and room to develop and grow. The goal of this program is to have members fully qualified for any position available in a park upon the completion of the program. If you are interested in this opportunity, you can find the application here.

2018 Career Development and Crew Members in Washington, D.C.
for the National Day of Service

Our members create a tight bond with their fellow AmeriCorps members and park staff. Here are some thoughts from our 2018 members:

This tour has been memorable and I'm proud to have done it. It's been a pleasure to serve with the folks at Sky Meadows. Some of the most dedicated people that I've ever known. True stewards of the land and consummate professionals in their respective areas of expertise. Furthermore, the time spent among the volunteers across the State has been an inspiration.

Jason Hatch, 2017-2018 Career Development Member at Sky Meadows

My crew, in the end, was loads of fun to work with. Along with our amazing site supervisor and his assistant, we accomplished so many projects. I enjoyed every bit of it.

Lukas Miller, 2017-2018 Crew Member in District 1

This month we had the great pleasure of leading a group of students from Ohio State University. These students chose to spend their spring break volunteering with Virginia State Parks instead of partying with their friends. Although the weather did not cooperate much, they truly worked so hard. They helped us with many projects over the course of the week. We installed sign posts, cleaned cabins, routine trail maintenance, and even helped us construct a fire line! Their passion for the work and for volunteering was an inspiration and I hope they can go on to inspire more people after this program!  

Ashley Purper, 2017-2018 Crew Member in District 3