Montana Conservation Corps Inc

Programs: Mcc programs bring together leadership development, civic engagement, and training with hands-on service in the outdoors to develop young people as productive individuals and engaged citizens. Mcc helps young people develop vital competencies that build a foundation for achieving success and discover their capacity to lead in their lives and communities. Expenses support three delivery models: an americorps program for young adults, ages 17 and up, who work a term of service for three to nine months through either our crew model or single placements as conservation interns. In addition, the organization offers the month-long youth service expedition summer program for montana teens ages 14 to 18; and the one-week long program for montana middle schoolers ages 12 to 14. Mcc conducts over 300 community and conservation service projects each year. Projects meet community and public lands needs in montana and surrounding states in the northern rockies and plaines regions. Projects involve a variety of conservation work including trails building and maintenance, historical restoration, biological research, habitat enhancement, fencing, biological research, watershed restoration, home weatherization, and community service. Significant accomplishments in 2017 included improvements to 1,180 miles of recreational trails that enhanced safety and access to public lands, treatment of 14,186 acres for invasive and noxious weeds, planting 21,113 trees, repairing or installing 240 miles of fencing to reduce wildlife mortality and improve habitat management, and retrofitting 1,323 homes of low income families with energy conservation measures. Meaningful service projects that result in lasting benefits for our communities and environment ensure a setting in which members cultivate service values and a vigorous work ethic, learn practical job skills, develop as effective leaders and crew members, practice responsible land stewardship, and grow as knowledgeable and engaged citizens. A parent of a high school member reflects on the following changes after participating in mccs youth expedition: james hasn't stopped talking about his adventures or his crew and crew leaders. Prior to his experience with mcc, he lacked confidence and had no direction for his future. Now he has real life goals that we both are excited about.

the big sky watershed corps (bswc) is a partnership between montana conservation corps, soil and water conservation districts of montana, and montana watershed coordination council. Bswc activates community-based solutions for watershed health and protection. Bswc americorps members serve with local watershed-related groups throughout the state of montana where they increase the capacity of host site organizations to lead community based, citizen-led watershed stewardship. Home-grown solutions to local watershed issues, on the ground watershed education and outreach, volunteer training, stream restoration projects and water monitoring initiatives make a measurable difference in local conservation efforts. Bswc americorps members gain practical, professional experience in watershed stewardship while developing skills for project leadership, collaborative management, volunteer engagement, and the role of citizens in leading change in their communities.