Ongoing discussions of slashing funding to the AmeriCorps program and other youth conservation programs should concern us all. Cutting funding to those programs would risk harm not only to our public lands which are often maintained by Corpsmembers, but to the more than 28,000 teens and young adults who participate each year.

These programs provide young adults from all socio-economic and education backgrounds the opportunity to get outside – working to protect, preserve, and restore our nation’s lands as they learn. These vital programs are attracting and helping to groom the next generation of conservation stewards to ensure our precious natural spaces are still there for your children and grandchildren.

At Trout Headwaters we’ve witnessed this up close, working with the Corps Network, AmeriCorps, and other conservation corps to train amazing young people nationwide to restore water resources. Some of the feedback we’ve received over the past several years has been nothing short of inspirational.

Our nations needs to continue funding the education and conservation work of these motivated students.

To learn more about some of the values of Public-Private Partnerships for our nation, visit Waders in the Water.