ESTABLISHED: 1987. Celebrating 30 years of service in California’s state and national parks.
NATURE CORPS MISSION:
Provide life enriching programs to veterans, students, and employee groups as they volunteer to preserve the splendor of California’s state and national Parks.
GOAL:
In partnership with businesses, veterans’ groups, youth agencies, and community members, the Nature Corps coordinates a volunteer corps to design, plan, and implement priority ... Read More
ESTABLISHED: 1987. Celebrating 30 years of service in California’s state and national parks.
NATURE CORPS MISSION:
Provide life enriching programs to veterans, students, and employee groups as they volunteer to preserve the splendor of California’s state and national Parks.
GOAL:
In partnership with businesses, veterans’ groups, youth agencies, and community members, the Nature Corps coordinates a volunteer corps to design, plan, and implement priority conservation projects that will preserve the parks for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
PROGRAMS:
• Veteran Voluntours and Marriage Enrichment Retreats (VVMERs)
• “Say Y.E.S. to Youth” (Youth Environmental Scholarships for low-income youth), 5-day student volunteer/STEM education outings
• Project S.A.V.E. (Special Assignment Volunteers for the Environment), intensive one-day conservation projects open to the public
• Professional Development for Science Teachers with an emphasis on stewardship. (Implemented in conjunction with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Liberal Studies Dept.)
SAMPLE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Mobilized over 7,000 volunteers to implement critical conservation projects including:
• Giant Forest Habitat Restoration, Sequoia National Park, restoring world-renowned giant sequoias groves impacted by intensive foot traffic
• Meadow Revegetation Projects, Yosemite National Park, while only 2% of the Sierra landmass, meadows support 75% of the region’s wildlife.
• Ash Mountain Nursery Construction, Sequoia National Park, enlarged nursery to propagate endangered plant species
• Coastal Grassland Planting, Big Sur State Park, planting native grasses to rehabilitate this rare coastal ecosystem
• Dunes Habitat Restoration Project, Morro Bay Strand State Park, removing nonnative vegetation to allow for the native flora and fauna to flourish
RECOGNITION:
• Congressional “Take Pride” Award
• Four “Take Pride in California” Awards
• American Express “Mark of Innovation”, and
• National Park Service “George B. Hartzog” Award, the highest recognition for nonprofit organizations
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