Montana Conservation Corps

MCC programs bring together hands-on conservation service in the outdoors with leadership development, civic engagement and workforce training to develop young people as productive individuals and engaged citizens. MCC helps young people develop vital competencies and discover their capacity to lead in their lives and their communities. In 2025, expenses supported three delivery models: 1) young adult crew-based experiences; 2) individual placement models for young adults; and 3)youth corps opportunities for Montana teens. In the young adult programs, members ages 17 and up completed an AmeriCorps term of service of three to nine months. They served on a four to six-person crew or individually in intern or fellow positions. For youth ages 14-18, MCC offered service expeditions of various lengths during the summer, as well as full-summer positions as part of Corps-to-Career Youth Corps crews with federal agency partners. MCC also supported two Piikuni Lands Corps crews and school-based programs in coordination with partners on the Blackfeet Tribal Nation. Through meaningful service projects, corps members cultivated service values and a vigorous work ethic, learned practical job skills, developed as effective leaders and crew members, practiced responsible land stewardship, and made lasting contributions to our communities and environment. MCC conducted over 315 community and conservation service projects in 2025. Projects met community and public lands needs in Montana and surrounding states in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains regions. Projects involved a variety of conservation work including trails building and maintenance, invasive species mitigation, wildfire rehabilitation and fuels reduction, historic restoration, biological monitoring, habitat enhancement, fencing, watershed restoration, and community service. Significant accomplishments in 2025 included improvements to 1,525 miles of recreational trails that enhanced safety and access to public lands, restoration of 8,816 acres including 4,236 acres treated for invasive and noxious weeds, planting 17,568 trees, and repairing or installing 115 miles of fencing to reduce wildlife mortality and improve habitat management. A youth participant reflected: I did MCC and it was amazing. I loved the structure, the work we do, the people we meet, and the overall experience. I learned so much.

IRS Form 990 Part III, fiscal year 2025, signed under penalty of perjury.

The Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) is a partnership between Montana ConservationCorps, Montana Association of Conservation Districts, and Montana WatershedCoordination Council. BSWC activates community-based solutions for watershed health and protection. BSWC AmeriCorps members serve with local watershed-related groupsthroughout 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.

IRS Form 990 Part III, fiscal year 2025, signed under penalty of perjury.