Created in 2009, the SCA Idaho AmeriCorps Program is designed to meet the environmental conservation, natural resource protection, community stewardship, and workforce development needs of Public Lands throughout Idaho.
Members at the Salmon-Challis AmeriCorps Forest Training Center will have the opportunity to further their passion for the environment and love of the outdoors through hands-on conservation service work. Members will gain outdoor leadership experience and multidisciplinary training in a variety of land management facets, which will include a mix of the following: front country and backcountry trail maintenance, historic preservation, fuels reduction, invasive species management, habitat assessments and much more.
For a significant portion of the 2023 season, we will have crews flown or packed into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness for up to 6 weeks at a time. Resupply flights and outfitter support will occur every 10-14 days for these extended backcountry hitches. This program is unique in that all members will complete a variety of projects in partnership with federal and state public land management agencies and will have opportunities to try out many of these resource protection areas. The goal of this experience is to develop a strong base of knowledge and skills, therefore preparing members to become professional-level field staff for conservation organizations (government, non-profit, and private sector).
Throughout this program, crew members are encouraged to make meaningful connections to the community, peers and agency partners and are given many opportunities for career and professional development. Additionally, crew members will often work independently or directly with agency partners and are given a number of leadership development opportunities throughout the season.
A large part of this program involves living and working in a cooperative environment in a relatively remote location. Members will maintain and improve the Forest Training Center itself, including community responsibilities such as cooking, maintaining communal spaces, managing the garden/compost, resource use conservation, and local community engagement. Members who successfully complete the program will be certified as Conservation Field Technicians by SCA.
2024 Idaho Corps Residential Program
Crew members of the Salmon-Challis AmeriCorps Forest Training Center will have the opportunity to further their passion for the environment and love of the outdoors through hands-on conservation service work. Crew members will gain outdoor leadership experience and multidisciplinary training in a variety of land management facets, which will include a mix of the following: front-country and backcountry trail maintenance, historic preservation, fuels reduction, invasive species management, habitat assessments and much more. Expected dates: May 5, 2024 – Sept. 28, 2024. Pay: $250/wk stipend, $650 travel stipend and AmeriCorps education award of up to $3,247.50 upon completion of program.
Tim Caroll, Program Director, SCA Idaho Corps Program
Phone: (208) 993-3003
Email: tcarroll@thesca.org