The Great Basin Institute’s (GBI) Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC) recently had the privilege of hosting Mark Lloyd, Chief of Staff for AmeriCorps, and Alicia Blood from Nevada Volunteers. NCC engages participants in hands-on conservation work that addresses critical environmental challenges while building leadership and workforce skills, with AmeriCorps support playing a significant role in these efforts. The two accompanied our NCC Program Director, Libby Wilson, and crew in the Lake Tahoe area, near the Nevada/California border. What was scheduled as a 10-15 minute site visit quickly turned into an hour and a half of meaningful conversation and genuine connection about the future of service programs and collaborative work.
Our crew was hard at work rerouting a social trail (unofficial, user-created path) that had heavy traffic by students and community members. The original social trail located on private land was used to allow children to avoid crossing busy roads and their safety hazards. The new route being built on public USFS land not only provides a safe passage for the students but also incorporates essential safety features for the community. Previously, students had also been crossing the watershed on unstable plywood. “This project is a great example of how conservation work directly benefits a community. The NCC crew is helping create a safer route for kids to get to school while protecting the watershed. They can see exactly why their work matters,” states Libby. NCC’s crew focused on ensuring the connecting trail is sustainable while protecting the local watershed and creating a safe and accessible public use trail.
During his visit, Mark Lloyd spoke passionately about his desire to see AmeriCorps continue to grow. He was particularly drawn to GBI’S NCC Program’s field crew model, comprehensive training and on the ground support staff offer to crews. There was special interest in the value of volunteers getting their hands dirty, camping at or near project sites during their hitch and working in remote locations with limited online access. Mark recognized how these conditions build grit and practical field skills. Mark also appreciated the importance of the NCC’s national recruitment strategy and off-hitch housing that allows volunteers from across the country to serve in new and different environments than they may be accustomed to.
NCC plays a vital role in connecting volunteers with meaningful conservation projects across the state. By providing opportunities for young adults to engage in hands-on leadership and personal growth. Past projects have included restoring riparian habitats along the Walker River, where crews removed invasive species and planted native willows to stabilize banks and improve water quality. In arid regions, NCC crews have conducted large scale invasive weed removal to protect native plant communities and reduce wildfire risk. Additionally, crews have built and maintained the critical infrastructure in remote wilderness areas, including footbridges, firebreaks and camping facilities so public lands remain accessible and resilient. These projects enhance the natural environment and provide volunteers with valuable experience in ecological restoration and land management.
Mark and Alicia were very impressed by NCC’s impact. Mark even mentioned that he would like his son to join one of the NCC crews next year. Libby shares, “a lot of growth happens when you’re working and living together in the field learning to solve problems, support your crew and get through challenging days. Participants leave with practical skills, confidence and a better sense of what they’re capable of. AmeriCorps support helps NCC make those opportunities possible.” This visit was critically important in providing insight on how Americorps funding translates into direct on the ground conservation impact. For GBI, seeing NCC crew’s work firsthand reinforces our dedication to our mission of protecting the natural environment. It demonstrates that our partnership with AmeriCorps is not just about providing service hours, but about cultivating a new generation of environmental stewards.
