 Created in 1999, the Hudson Valley AmeriCorps
Program is dedicated to recognizing, preserving and interpreting the
nationally significant historical, cultural and natural resources of
New York's Hudson Valley.
Spanning 200 miles from the Adirondack
Mountains to New York City, the Hudson Valley was declared a National
Heritage Area in 1996 and is often referred to as “the landscape that
defined America.” The region is home to 2.5 million residents, 5
National Historic Sites, 58 National Historic Landmarks, 89 historic
districts, and over 1,000 sites listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Program Design: The program is a
unique blend of SCA's Conservation Internship model and its
Conservation Corps model. Interns are individually placed at state
agencies and local non-profits and work one-on-one alongside
conservation professionals. Interns also participate in trainings,
service projects and celebrations with 25+ fellow corps members once
each month. Between the personalized attention of site supervisors and
the general support of the SCA Hudson Valley intern community, we like
to say our program offers you the best of both worlds!
Program Goals:
1) Environmental Education: At least half
of our current members are environmental educators. Of these, most
serve at one of the region's many Nature Centers. Other educators
travel throughout the region, interacting with people at public events,
summer camps and club meetings.
 2) Environmental Stewardship: Nearly
a third of our members are working to conserve the habitats of local
flora and fauna, from the Karner Blue Butterflies in New York's
lupine-laden sand plains, to the Atlantic Sturgeons in the Hudson River
itself. Restoring habitat often involves mapping and removing invasive
plant species like water chestnut (right).
3) Volunteer Participation:
Several members are working to get their communities more involved in
conservation service. One member is organizing a series of
Mile-a-Minute weed pulls this summer to combat the invasive vine, while
another member is working to protect Native American rock shelters with
the help of an all-volunteer crew.
 4) Developing Conservation Leadership: In
addition to the on-the-job training members receive at their sites, our
program provides trainings at nearly all of our monthly gatherings.
Past trainings include Hudson River natural history and ecology,
Wilderness First Aid, Project WET and WILD, Public Relations,
Sustainability, Indigenous Skills and a GPS workshop. Interns also gain
hands-on skills while participating in service projects. Past service
projects include community outreach events for Martin Luther King Jr.
Day, Earth Day and National Trails Day, as well as trail work, invasive
plant removal and habitat restoration.
When Do Positions Start? We
offer 10-month positions, which start in January and end in November,
and 5-month positions, which start in May and end in October. Of
course, there are occasional exceptions to this model.
Benefits:
Living Allowance of $160 per week
Housing Allowance of $400 per month ($600 for NYC Metro Area positions)
Free health insurance and accident insurance
AmeriCorps Education Award of $4725 for 10-month positions ($2362.50 for 5-month positions)
Student loan forbearance
Professional, true-to-life work experiences, personal growth and a chance to give back to your community and the environment.
Requirements:
Citizenship or permanent residency in the United States
College degree (or its equivalent in relevant experience)
Personal transportation
Effective communication skills
Ability to work independently
There is no age limit, but flexibility and a spirit of adventure are a must!
Spring/Summer Positions
Partnering organizations:
AmeriCorps
NYS DEC
NYS OPRHP
Hudsonia Ltd.
Scenic Hudson, Inc.
The Fresh Air Fund's Sharpe Reservation
Riverkeeper, Inc.
New York – New Jersey Trail Conference
The Nature Conservancy - Eastern New York
NYC DEP
For more information, please e-mail us at
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