| | | | 45 AmeriCorps Volunteers marked the completion of their service term. | | SACRAMENTO, CA, April 22, 2026 – The second class of AmeriCorps NCCC Volunteers serving with Forest Corps has completed their term of service with the program. On April 7, 45 AmeriCorps NCCC Volunteers celebrated their collective achievement with a graduation ceremony in Sacramento, CA. Forest Corps is a partnership between AmeriCorps NCCC and the USDA Forest Service investing in the next generation of forestry leaders and advancing our shared commitment to public service and stewardship across our nation’s public lands. Volunteers serving in the program mobilize nationwide to reduce wildfire risk in surrounding communities by creating firebreaks and executing controlled burns in forests, prepare forests for timber sales, support reforestation efforts, and assist in active fire response – serving on the ground where Americans need them most. Volunteers who serve with Forest Corps receive rigorous training with support from the nation’s most knowledgeable and experienced forestry professionals. | - Since its 2024 launch, AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps has operated across 12 states and 34 USFS forests or nurseries, completing 135,993 hours of national service and graduating 117 Volunteers. In the past year, this cohort:
- Deployed 7 teams to 29 projects across 22 national forests in 10 states.
- Served 57,018 hours on projects across the western United States.
- Earned credentials including certifications in chainsaw operations, training in wildland fire behavior, and Red Cards, making them official Type-2 firefighters.
- This second class strengthened forest health and community resilience through the following efforts, creating lasting benefits for ecosystems, public lands, and communities:
- Widespread reforestation
- Timber management
- Conservation
- Wildfire mitigation
- When asked about the impact of service in the AmeriCorps NCCC program, Volunteers reported that chainsaw certification, wildland fire qualifications, tool proficiency, and rigorous fieldwork prepared them for land management careers, giving them the confidence, resilience, and practical skills needed for long-term success.
| | “The second cohort of AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps Volunteers has impressed us all with their dedication and flexibility,” said Ken Goodson, Director of AmeriCorps NCCC. “These teams earned chainsaw certifications, learned to dig fire lines, supported timber harvesting and management, and managed prescribed burns, which will keep communities safe for decades. They prepared land for timber harvests and nurtured young nursery trees to support national reforestation efforts. Through harsh weather and logistical challenges, they remained agile and passionate. These young people will graduate as trained wildland firefighters, ready to contribute meaningfully to preserving our nation’s natural resources. We are proud of everything they’ve accomplished in the past ten months, together with our outstanding partners in national forests around the nation.” For this second cohort, 76% of Volunteers reported that they were ready to enter the workforce, of which 60% have secured roles in fire, forestry, trail construction, and trades related to environmental stewardship – demonstrating the program’s strength as a pathway into outdoor careers in both the public and private sectors. “Forest Corps has helped me develop professional skills, such as networking and resume-building,” said Haven Holcomb, an AmeriCorps Volunteer with this cohort. “It has helped me earn certifications, complete trainings, and has boosted my confidence in my own abilities in outdoor work, team-building, conflict resolution, and leadership.” Forest Corps offers young people the opportunity to gain valuable technical training and leadership skills in the field while making a meaningful difference in communities across the country. For additional information about AmeriCorps NCCC and current service opportunities, visit AmeriCorps.gov/NCCC.
| | AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 185,000 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov. AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve. | | |
