2024 Indigenous Conservation Corps Program

With the United States Forest Service & the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

With an emphasis on Cherokee heritage and tradition, Tribal members are invited to join the Indigenous Conservation Corps crew to learn and engage in cultural & natural resource management with the United States Forest Service & the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Program dates are Monday, June 3rd – Friday, July 26th, 2024. Crew members will receive the following benefits:

  • Engagement in a diverse set of environmental conservation and restoration projects including trail construction and maintenance, forest management, habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, heritage work related to ancestral lands, disaster relief, fire & fuels reduction, and much more
  • Training opportunities include Wilderness First Aid, CPR, S212 Chainsaw, and USFS Crosscut Saw; members may also receive an introduction to wildland fire training
  • Cultural enrichment through learning Tribal management practices and history related to natural and cultural resources
  • Accrued hours towards a Public Land Corps (PLC) Noncompetitive Hiring authority, which allows individuals to compete for internal merit vacancies with Forest Service, National Park Service, & other agencies
  • Professional development and career resources related to natural resource conservation and working for the USDA Forest Service

Priority application deadline is Monday, April 1st, 2024.

Apply to be an Indigenous Conservation Crew Member (Age 18-30 or 35 if Veteran)

Apply to be an Indigenous Conservation Crew Leader (21+)