The Corps
The Palmetto Conservation Corps is South Carolina’s only trail-based state AmeriCorps Program. The Corps completes service work on the Palmetto Trail, through public lands, in communities, and with various organizations throughout the state. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or religion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The vision of the Corps is to create sustainable communities while conserving South Carolina’s natural resources. The Corps develops the conservation leaders of tomorrow through service and education, strengthens partnerships that address environmental challenges, and cultivates civically-engaged citizens.
The Palmetto Conservation Corps is a natural addition to the work of Palmetto Conservation Foundation, whose mission is to foster an appreciation for South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems that can be enjoyed by all in South Carolina, regardless of gender, race, creed, age, or ability. In 2016, the Corps began as Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s key Trail maintenance tool, but Trail maintenance is not the only benefit of Corps work.
The Corps exists to…
- conserve natural resources and wildlife habitats across South Carolina through Trail building and maintenance;
- prepare a crew of young adults with training in disaster preparedness and provide relief in the event of a statewide disaster; and
- train the environmental leaders of tomorrow in natural resource management, environmental best practices, and disaster mitigation.
Typical Projects
The Corps is trained in trail construction, maintenance, and reconstruction, and this forms a large percentage of the projects conducted across South Carolina. The Palmetto Trail remains one of the Corps’ premiere projects in trail construction and maintenance, but work with Trail partners in state and national parks and forests remains a priority, as do partnerships with private sponsors.
