Answer the Call to Serve
Written by Emily Post, Central Conservation’s Director of Administration & AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps Members serve their communities by tackling our nation’s most pressing challenges.
Since 2018, WisCorps has been awarded an AmeriCorps Grant through Wisconsin’s State Commission, Serve Wisconsin. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that funds organizations to make positive impact in communities by enrolling more than 200,000 individuals every year.
AmeriCorps focuses on six key areas to make an impact:
- Education
- Economic Opportunity
- Disaster Services
- Environmental Stewardship
- Healthy Futures
- Veterans & Military Families
AmeriCorps Members at WisCorps are focused on the key area of Environmental Stewardship. AmeriCorps’ Mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
All Crew Leaders and Crew Members, and Individual Placement Members at WisCorps are AmeriCorps Members. They are responsible for completing high-priority conservation projects like trail building and maintenance, invasive species removal, plant establishment, debris removal, stream remediation, energy efficiency projects, and environmental education. Pictured above is a WisCorps crew who performed trail restoration on a section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin. Pictured below is Julia Tuttle, an Individual Placement Member who created public-facing dashboards that will be used to collect solar production data for Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change.
Julia Tuttle, an Individual Placement Member who created public-facing dashboards that will be used to collect solar production data for Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change
AmeriCorps Members have direct access to professional networking opportunities, mentorship, and experiences to help grow their skills and career. AmeriCorps Members also receive special benefits, such as a living stipend, a health insurance option for year-long term Members, and an Education Award upon successful completion of their service term to help pay for future schooling or student loans. For more information, visit AmeriCorps.gov!
Relevant News and Blog Posts
Deepening Our Commitment to Leave No Trace
WisCorps expands its Leave No Trace training with two Level 2 Trainers, offering Level 1 certifications to AmeriCorps members starting in 2026. Additionally, WisCorps plans to expand LNT opportunities to the community by working with existing partners and forging new ones. In Spring 2025, they will be leading a workshop at the Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference, introducing LNT concepts to beginner hikers exploring Wisconsin’s unique landscapes.
Senior Crew Leader
Crew Leaders guide and motivate Crew Members in high-priority conservation projects across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest as part of the WisCorps Crew Program. Each crew typically consists of two Crew Leaders and three to four Crew Members who live and serve together, fostering a close-knit community focused on service and teamwork. Crews may relocate weekly or stay at a site for several weeks, living in tents or shared housing.
A Small Village with a Big Personality
WisCorps partnered with the Village of Mazomanie to take on a new challenge: restoring the Bluff Trail system. After an on-site assessment revealed steep, eroded sections and outdated routes, the team designed a custom, multi-week plan focused on trail reroutes, structural improvements, brushing, and sustainable techniques like c-steps—reimagining the trail for long-term use and accessibility.