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AmeriCorps and Arkansas State Parks have formed a remarkable partnership that brings together dedicated individuals to engage in diverse conservation and service projects across the state parks. This collaboration showcases how government agencies and nonprofit organizations can synergize to create a lasting impact on the environment and local communities.
Last week, three groups of AmeriCorps team members graduated from their 10-month program for service projects in the Natural State.
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national and federal organization that connects community organizations and volunteers. While there are multiple avenues to serve, like a short-term summer program or part-time community-based volunteer roles, most participants join the AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corp) and serve a ten-month term throughout a region, changing locations 3 to 5 times. Each graduate must complete 1700 service hours with their team and 80 independent service hours on a non-related project.
While the primary goal is service for organizations that need extended help, a critical component is the leadership, communication and group dynamic lessons the participants gain. Each cohort travels as a unit through their 10 months of service, with a primary group leader and positional leadership roles like a transportation captain, community relations, grocery coordinator, project lead, budget management, etc. They also spend time each week breaking down their experiences and what they are learning.
Groups are adults ranging in ages 17 through 54. Some of the Devil’s Den group were using this as a gap year from high school to college; others were in corporate jobs where they hit pause to learn more about civic engagement, volunteerism and personal interests and will go back to their held job positions.
Whatever their reason for serving, AmeriCorps offers participants perspective, leadership development, hands-on experience and access to develop life skills.
Where does AmeriCorps NCCC focus its work on Arkansas?
The AmeriCorps NCCC members, driven by a shared passion for service, embark on various projects that address critical needs in Arkansas, mainly within Arkansas State Parks. Their contributions encompass a wide range of activities, including:
- Trail Maintenance and Construction: AmeriCorps members diligently work to maintain and enhance existing trails while constructing new ones, ensuring visitors have safe and accessible pathways to explore the natural beauty of the parks.
- Habitat Restoration: Recognizing the importance of preserving and restoring natural ecosystems, AmeriCorps members actively engage in habitat restoration projects. They remove invasive species, plant native vegetation and create habitats that support diverse wildlife populations.
- Invasive Species Control: To protect the ecological integrity of the parks, AmeriCorps members combat the spread of invasive species.
- Visitor Education and Outreach: Engaging visitors and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship is a crucial aspect of the AmeriCorps partnership with Arkansas State Parks. Members develop educational programs, lead guided tours and create informative materials to connect visitors with the parks’ natural and cultural history.
- Historic Preservation: AmeriCorps members contribute to preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage by working on historical sites within the parks. They restore landmark structures, conduct archaeological surveys and ensure that these sites are accessible and well-maintained for future generations to appreciate.
While they are not the primary focus of the programs in Arkansas, AmeriCorps also focuses on projects related to economic development, education, healthy futures and veteran families. Year-round local volunteers outside the NCCC program sustain community education and food insecurity initiatives across Arkansas.
Where do they serve in Arkansas?
Through partners like Engage Arkansas, AmeriCorps team members recently completed projects in Devil’s Den State Park, Lake Fort Smith State Park, Hobbs State Park, Cobblestone Farm and Southern Arkansas University.
Seven local Foster Grandparent programs assist local communities year-round, and summer school programs partner with Upward Bound and first-generation college students. Other groups work with water conservation, trail improvement, financial literacy, reading and strengthening communities.
What are some of the projects completed this year?
Below are some highlights of the recent volunteer efforts, but you can read more about their Year in Review.
- A Fayetteville-based team worked with Cobblestone Farm to plant, care for and harvest crops for food distribution and selling at a local farmer’s market.
- The team helped with on-farm educational opportunities for visitors.
- They helped with food distribution and learning about the food insecurity ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.
- A Magnolia-based team worked with the SAU campus for summer school needs.
- Some team members helped with food distribution for summer school participants.
- Other group members worked with the maintenance and grounds team to take care of needed campus improvements.
- The third group working this summer served at three Northwest Arkansas State Parks primarily focused on trail improvement and maintenance jobs.
- They shifted work after the tornadoes in Rogers and Bentonville and helped clear a backcountry trail that often brings in income for the park.
- They partnered with the Community Clinic for food distribution aid during disaster relief.
- They assisted in an emergency extraction and care of an injured park visitor.
This is the hardest job you will ever love!”
Many participants learned skills they’d never used, like weed whacking, using a push mower for the first time, plant conservation, ground erosion management and gravel trail development. Others interacted with a new public segment in food-insecure areas and saw the ecosystem surrounding those challenges.
I have a degree in organizational management, which helped me, but I saw the group dynamics of older people giving younger people advice and seeing newer creative ideas coming from our younger team members. It really is the hardest job you will ever love!” — Rachel Moorman, Team Leader
How can you participate with AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps invites volunteers to find their best fit to serve and get things done!
- AmeriCorps NCCC – traditional program with 10 months of service commitment
- AmeriCorps State and National
- AmeriCorps VISTA – international experience
- Public health AmeriCorps – health in underserved communities
- AmeriCorps Senior – Foster Grandparent program for 55+
- AmeriCorps Seniors and Companion
- Episodic Volunteer roles
Team leader Rachel Moormon and Engage Arkansas provided all photos.
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