Campfire Chat: Emergency Response
Watch the Discussion
On Friday, April 25, the Federal Government notified Washington State that all AmeriCorps-funded programs were terminated, effective immediately. EarthCorps’ Leadership Team and Board of Directors have been evaluating the situation and drafting a transition plan to respond to budget cuts.
During Campfire Chat: Emergency Response, EarthCorps Board President Shanon Tysland and EarthCorps Program Director Elizabeth White discuss the impacts of federal funding cuts, how EarthCorps is responding, and what you can do to help our corps and community.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Corps Program:
We are transitioning our Corps Members into short-term contract roles and establishing our Crew Leaders as permanent positions.
Education and Training:
We are embracing our identity as a Conservation Corps. We are committed to providing the technical training and hands-on experience to develop the next generation of environmental leaders.
Field Projects and Commitments:
We plan to maintain our restoration sites and will fulfill our existing grant commitments through the end of this year.
Financial Flexibility:
We are restructuring the organization for long-term financial flexibility and working to secure diverse and sustainable funding sources.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Give a Gift:
Thank you to those who have already given. With your support, we have made progress in offsetting the impact of funding cuts. To reach our goal, we need to raise an additional $435,000, which will help cover staff wages and fair pay.
Share your Feedback:
Throughout this transition, we want to embrace our community’s partnership and strategic guidance on maintaining restoration operations and workforce development.
Networking and Awareness:
We are eager to connect with philanthropic leaders, elected officials, and media allies to expand our impact.
REWATCH PAST CAMPFIRE CHATS
Celebrating the Island Marble Butterfly
Celebrate Pollinator Week with EarthCorps and Friends
Washington State’s San Juan Island National Historical Park is home to the only remaining population of the endangered Island Marble Butterfly. In partnership with the National Park Service, EarthCorps is supporting work to protect and restore the butterfly’s habitat.
This quarter, EarthCorps Alumni and Education Manager Brandon Riehl, members of the EarthCorps team, EarthCorps alum, and National Park Service Resources Stewardship Program Manager Sara Dolan joined “Campfire Chat: Celebrating the Island Marble Butterfly” to discuss the importance and impact of the work that’s happening on San Juan Island, as well as share the history of this very special pollinator.
2024 Program Overview
EarthCorps Program Director Elizabeth White joins Campfire Chat to discuss the Corps Program. Covering the structure of the programming to how the feedback loop has redefined the program’s structure, White answers all your questions about what to expect from this year’s Corps Program.
Mill Creek Canyon
In this series, EarthCorps’ Field Operations Manager Whitney and EarthCorps’ Project Manager Mahleah welcomed folks who have supported the ongoing Mill Creek Canyon Project.
Whitney shares: “The Canyon is a fantastic place with rich ecology. When you get far enough into the Canyon, you could close your eyes and not know that you are in the middle of a very dense urban landscape. There are many big plans for the Mill Creek Canyon that go beyond trail work, but our piece, for now, focuses on trail construction and design.”
EarthCorps' Community Partners and Environmental Justice
- Abdi Haro from Bridging Cultural Gaps
- Gabbi Gonzales from City of Burien
- Joe Camacho from Foster High School
These leaders highlight their collective and shared goals towards environmental and social justice and discuss breaking down barriers to providing unique experiential opportunities for youth and communities throughout the region.
Meet the International Corps
Creosote Clean-Up
In partnership with Washington Conservation Corps, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Samish Indian Nation, EarthCorps has removed over 900,000 pounds* of toxic, creosote-coated logs from local beaches and waterways. On September 15, 2022, EarthCorps Executive Director Evlyn Andrade welcomed our partners to discuss the impacts of the project and celebrate major milestones.
*Statistic at the time of recording.