Environmental Conservation Corps members engage in a variety of essential conservation activities in communities and protected areas across the Lowcountry region, while learning new skills, building confidence and leadership, developing life-long relationships, and serving their community. Our graduates will tell you that it is a life-changing experience that you won’t forget!
Restoration Crew Members will restore wildlife habitat and ecosystems; construct rain gardens; build urban gardens to increase food access; plant native species plants; perform erosion control and water quality monitoring; construct and repair trails, bridges, and boardwalks; and perform oyster reef restoration and salt marsh restoration.
Community Restoration Members will be placed in Bucksport, SC. Members will engage in local habitat restoration activities such as restoring wetland buffers, planting native plants and trees, constructing and maintaining rain gardens, and supporting community trainings.
All members receive in-demand training and certifications, classroom and field experiences, a bi-weekly stipend, access to potential jobs, and an education award upon graduation.
Currently recruiting the following positions for the 2026 program year!
Community Restoration Members engage in habitat restoration activities which may include activities such as restoring coastal wetland buffers (including some oyster beds), planting native plants and trees, performing water quality testing and monitoring, constructing historical nature trails, and constructing and maintaining rain gardens. Crew Members will also engage in weatherization activities, which may include surveying households about their weatherization and repair needs, and supporting energy efficiency workshops throughout the community.
Restoration Crew Members engage in habitat restoration activities in public parks, forests, and waterways, including, but not limited to, activities such as restoring salt marshes and building oyster reefs; constructing rain gardens; planting native plants and trees; performing water quality testing and monitoring; and constructing and repairing trails, bridges, and boardwalks. Crew members also play a critical role in leading SI hosted community volunteer events and connecting local community members to meaningful, conservation service work in their own backyard.
| Restoration Crew Member | Bucksport CommunityRestoration Member | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Fall: October 6, 2025 - February 27, 2026 | Spring: March 16, 2026 -July 24, 2026 | Summer: May 18, 2026 - July 24, 2026 | Three-quarter Time: January 14, 2026 -October 16, 2026 |
|
| Priorities | Rain Garden Design and Installation & Recreational Trail Maintenance and Building | Oyster Recycling, Marsh Restoration, & Living Shoreline Installation | Oyster Recycling, Marsh Restoration, & Living Shoreline Installation | Local habitat restoration activities and community outreach in Bucksport, SC | |
| Audience | Young adults aged 18-25 who are neither in school nor working full-time | Young adults aged 18-25 who are neither in school nor working full-time | Young adults aged 18-25 who are enrolled in school | Adults aged 17-24 with high school diploma or equivalent | |
| Application Dates | August 1, 2025 - August 24, 2025 | November 1, 2025 -January 1, 2026 | January 1, 2026 -March 1, 2026 | October 15, 2025 - November 30, 2025 | |
AmeriCorps members serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges. Through a term of service that could last from a few months to a year, AmeriCorps members gain work experience and develop in-demand skills. AmeriCorps members are compensated with a stipend or living allowance and often receive an education award or scholarship upon completing their service. Additionally, Corps programs provide participants educational programming, mentoring, and access to career and personal counseling. AmeriCorps members represent the best of America: tirelessly serving people and communities across the country.
We offer several different types of program opportunities and experiences, including our “Opportunity Youth Service Initiative” (OYSI) program, which serves at-risk and economically disadvantaged persons aged 17-24 experiencing barriers, and our AmeriCorps SC program, which serves adults ages 17+.
Marni Friedman
Director of Conservation
Marni@SustainabilityInstituteSC.org
