2024-25 Central Ohio Collaborative for Conservation - Military Veterans

The Central Ohio Collaborative consists of 7 conservation-focused groups based in Central Ohio: Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW), Green Columbus, Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Licking Soil and Water Conservation District, Preservation Parks of Delaware County, and Stratford Ecological Center. These groups work together to improve natural resource quality in the region, with particular interests in natural resource conservation, environmental data collection and monitoring, environmental education, and community programming. They also serve as host sites for AmeriCorps members. This year’s program will host 12 Full Time members who will serve a one-year (Sep. 9, 2024 - Aug. 31, 2025) service term. Each member will report to one of the seven different host sites listed above, but they will have opportunities to engage with all of the other program host sites and AmeriCorps members throughout their service term. Members will receive a living stipend of up to $22,984 that will be distributed biweekly as $884. Upon successful completion of service, members will receive a Segal Education Award in the amount of up to $7,395. Members will receive training on First Aid/CPR/AED, chainsaw safety, pesticide safety, and professional development (e.g., resume building and interviews). They will have the ability to pursue other formal and informal training opportunities that interest them, and they will receive a $150 service term allowance to help cover potential costs for these trainings. Members are encouraged by the program to pursue activities that help them reach their individual goals. The intent of this AmeriCorps program is to assist conservation partners in Central Ohio with performing on-the-ground environmental improvements that help the natural environment and foster climate change resilience in local communities across the region.