Southwest Conservation Corps
Southwest Conservation Corps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program of Conservation Legacy that engages youth, young adults, and veterans in paid conservation service on public lands across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico through AmeriCorps-affiliated youth crews, adult crews, individual placements, and watershed strike teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersDurango, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Southwest Conservation Corps does
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation service organization and a program of Conservation Legacy, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with a second regional office in Salida, Colorado. The organization engages youth (ages 14-18), young adults (ages 18-30), college students and recent graduates, and military veterans in paid conservation service on public lands across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico through four program lines: Youth Conservation Crews, Adult Conservation Crews, Individual Placements with federal and nonprofit host agencies, and Watershed Programs and Strike Teams. As an AmeriCorps-affiliated program and member of The Corps Network, Colorado Youth Corps Association, and the Partnership for the 21st Century Conservation Corps (21CSC), SCC delivers participants eligible for AmeriCorps education awards of $1,300 to $6,300 depending on term length, while youth crew members are paid $14.42 to $14.81 per hour.
SCC's service delivery is built around residential and day-crew models deploying 2-10 person teams for trail construction and maintenance, fuels reduction, prescribed fire support, invasive species removal, watershed restoration, archaeological monitoring, and habitat restoration on partner lands. Field operations rely on standard conservation tools and field-data technologies including GIS mapping and iPad-based data collection, with crews camping in front-country and backcountry settings for 4-10 day hitches. The organization maintains a portfolio of long-standing project partnerships with San Juan National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Trail Foundation, Mountain Studies Institute, and tribal nations including the Hopi and Navajo.
Revenue is not publicly disclosed but is generated through a mix of federal AmeriCorps funding, state and federal grant awards (including the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program's $6.9 million statewide round), host-agency project contributions from land management agencies, and philanthropic gifts from foundations and individuals directed through Conservation Legacy (EIN 84-1450808). Conservation Legacy as the parent operates eight regional and national programs engaging roughly 2,200 participants annually, with cumulative outputs of 940 miles of trail maintained and 28,000 acres of land restored across all 50 states. Participants are recruited through direct website applications, partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development programs, alumni referrals, and national AmeriCorps service networks, with no participant fees charged.
Southwest Conservation Corps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southwest Conservation Corps
- Legal name
- Conservation Legacy
- Website
- https://sccorps.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Southwest Conservation Corps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program of Conservation Legacy that engages youth, young adults, and veterans in paid conservation service on public lands across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico through AmeriCorps-affiliated youth crews, adult crews, individual placements, and watershed strike teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southwest Conservation Corps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)
Keywords
Where Southwest Conservation Corps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Durango
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Southwest Conservation Corps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and AmeriCorps Funding: As an AmeriCorps-affiliated program, SCC receives federal funding through AmeriCorps and works with the Colorado Youth Corps Association. This represents the primary revenue stream supporting program operations.
- Foundation and Corporate Donations: SCC receives charitable donations from foundations such as the Double T Family Foundation and individual donors. Conservation Legacy operates as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 84-1450808) and accepts tax-deductible contributions.
- Program Fees and Host Contributions: SCC partners with host organizations and land management agencies who contribute to project costs. Some programs provide stipends and AmeriCorps education awards to participants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Weekly | Youth Conservation Crew Members (Ages 14-18): $14.42/hour |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | AmeriCorps Education Awards for Individual Placements: $1,300-$6,300 |
| Other | Weekly | Youth Crew Member (Four Corners Region): $14.81/hour |
| Other | Weekly | Los Valles Youth Crew Member: $14.81/hour |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Southwest Conservation Corps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Southwest Conservation Corps operates AmeriCorps-affiliated conservation service programs that engage youth, young adults, and veterans in hands-on land stewardship projects across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Programs include youth and adult conservation crews, individual placements with federal agencies, and watershed strike teams performing trail construction, fuels reduction, habitat restoration, invasive species management, and archaeological monitoring on public lands. Participants receive hourly wages or stipends and are eligible for AmeriCorps education awards upon completion.
Product overview
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of Conservation Legacy that operates a continuum of conservation service programs including Youth Conservation Crews, Adult Conservation Crews, Individual Placements, and Watershed Programs & Strike Teams. The programs serve youth, young adults, and veterans across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, providing experiential learning opportunities focused on trail stewardship, habitat restoration, invasive species management, and land management. Most programs are AmeriCorps-affiliated and offer education awards upon completion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Youth Conservation Crews Paid summer service programs for high school students ages 14-18 in the Four Corners and Los Valles regions of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Crews perform conservation and job skills work including trail maintenance, fuels reduction, and habitat restoration, with day crew and camping crew options over 4-5 week sessions. Participants receive hourly wages of $14.42-$14.81/hour, food in the field, uniform shirts, and personal protective equipment.
- Adult Conservation Crews AmeriCorps-affiliated conservation crew programs engaging young adults ages 18-30 in challenging conservation and service projects throughout Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Residential crews camp in front-country or back-country settings for 4-10 day hitches, performing backcountry trail construction and maintenance, fuels reduction, habitat restoration, and wildfire mitigation on public lands.
- Individual Placements Program pairing college students, recent graduates, and young adults with resource managers and placing them within federal agencies and nonprofit organizations for 8-52 week immersive training and career development opportunities. Placements include professional development internships, federal agency placements, GIS mapping, archaeological monitoring, and resource management roles. Members receive AmeriCorps education awards of $1,300-$6,300 depending on term length.
- Watershed Programs & Strike Teams AmeriCorps program deploying small 2-3 person technical teams working with watershed partnerships, river restoration groups, and land management agencies. Focus areas include invasive species control, vegetation monitoring, and watershed restoration activities across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,200 participants engaged annually in conservation service across all Conservation Legacy programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Southwest Conservation Corps
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Southwest Conservation Corps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Southwest Conservation Corps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Conservation LegacycoreSCC is a program of Conservation Legacy, founded in 1998 to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Conservation Legacy provides strategic leadership and support across eight regional and national programs, engaging young people and veterans in conservation service projects.
- AmeriCorps / AmeriCorps VISTAcoreAmeriCorps engages young adults in intensive community service work. SCC partners with AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA to provide service opportunities, with participants eligible for education awards totaling $1,300-$6,300.
- Partnership for the 21st Century Conservation Corps (21CSC)majorConservation Legacy provides strategic leadership to the 21CSC, a bold national effort to put thousands of young Americans and veterans to work protecting, restoring, and enhancing America's great outdoors through public-private partnerships.
- The Corps NetworkmajorConservation Legacy is a proud member of The Corps Network, providing leadership to the corps movement and supporting the nation's service and conservation corps as they tackle America's greatest challenges.
- San Juan National ForestcoreSCC partners with San Juan National Forest for trail work, prescribed fire operations, fuels reduction, and habitat restoration projects. Fred Ellis noted SCC crews filled essential roles on the Brockover Prescribed Fire.
- National Forest FoundationmajorNational Forest Foundation supports trail reconstruction projects after record snow years. NFF has provided funding and support for SCC projects following avalanches in Colorado.
- Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA)coreSCC works with CYCA as part of the Colorado Youth Corps network. CYCA connects youth to corps opportunities and supports workforce development in conservation.
- Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesmajorGovernor Polis and Colorado DNR announced $6.9 million investment through Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP), funding 24 wildfire mitigation projects including partnerships with conservation corps organizations.
- Mountain Studies Institute (MSI)majorMSI and SCC collaborate on Russian olive removal projects funded by Colorado Water Conservation Board ($195,000 grant) and Colorado Parks Wildlife ($52,000) for a three-year invasive species control project.
- Hopi and Navajo NationsmajorA unique partnership addresses home heating crisis on Hopi and Navajo Nations by supplying hundreds of cords of firewood from forest restoration projects. Partnership involves tribal, federal, and nonprofit collaboration.
- Bureau of Land ManagementcoreSCC partners with BLM for conservation projects on public lands throughout Southwest Colorado and Four Corners Region.
- National Park ServicecoreSCC provides crews for NPS projects including archaeological monitoring at Flagstaff National Monuments and historic preservation at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
- Geothermal Greenhouse PartnershipminorSCC members participated in creating a Habitat Hero demonstration garden in Pagosa Springs in partnership with GGP, Weminuche Audubon Society, CSU Extension Master Gardeners, and Mountain High Garden Club.
- Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP)majorCOSWAP is the largest workforce development grant round in the program's history at $6.9 million, funding 24 wildfire mitigation and training projects through partnerships with conservation corps including SCC.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Southwest Conservation Corps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EarthCorps: Washington-state based conservation corps engaging young adults in environmental restoration. Comparable AmeriCorps affiliation, crew-based service model, and habitat restoration focus.
- Student Conservation Association (SCA): National nonprofit offering conservation service programs for youth and young adults on public lands. Directly comparable mission, AmeriCorps affiliation, and federal agency partnerships; multiple SCC staff previously worked at SCA.
- Conservation Legacy: Parent organization of Southwest Conservation Corps. Operates eight regional and national conservation corps programs engaging 2,200 participants annually across all 50 US states. Most direct peer given SCC is one of its programs.
- Northwest Youth Corps: Pacific Northwest conservation corps offering residential crews, youth programs, and individual placements. Lisa Slupianek (SCC Adult Programs Director) previously worked there. Directly comparable operational model.
- Rocky Mountain Youth Corps: New Mexico-based youth conservation corps with youth and adult programs. SCC Administrative Specialist Adrienne Ladner previously served with RMYC. Direct regional peer with overlapping service territory.
- Montana Conservation Corps: AmeriCorps-affiliated conservation corps engaging youth and young adults in trail work, fuels reduction, and habitat restoration in the Northern Rockies. Comparable service model, residential crew structure, and federal land agency partnerships.
- Utah Conservation Corps: AmeriCorps program based at Utah State University engaging young adults in conservation service projects. SCC Senior Program Director Teresa DiTore previously worked there. Similar crew-based service model on public lands.
- American Conservation Experience: National nonprofit offering conservation corps programs, internships, and individual placements on public lands. Comparable AmeriCorps model, federal agency partnerships, and individual placement offerings.
Broad incumbents
- The Corps Network: National membership organization of 140+ conservation and service corps including SCC's parent Conservation Legacy. Acts as the industry's trade association and policy advocate, providing accreditation (the seal displayed on SCC's site) and federal advocacy.
- AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps): Federally-operated AmeriCorps program deploying teams of young adults for service projects including conservation. Comparable residential service model and AmeriCorps funding, though federally operated versus SCC's nonprofit model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Southwest Conservation Corps social profiles
Digital presenceSouthwest Conservation Corps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southwest Conservation Corps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Southwest Conservation Corps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southwest Conservation Corps M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southwest Conservation Corps
What does Southwest Conservation Corps do?
Southwest Conservation Corps operates AmeriCorps-affiliated conservation service programs that engage youth, young adults, and veterans in hands-on land stewardship projects across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Programs include youth and adult conservation crews, individual placements with federal agencies, and watershed strike teams performing trail construction, fuels reduction, habitat restoration, invasive species management, and archaeological monitoring on public lands. Participants receive hourly wages or stipends and are eligible for AmeriCorps education awards upon completion.
Is Southwest Conservation Corps a public or private company?
Southwest Conservation Corps is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Southwest Conservation Corps founded?
Southwest Conservation Corps was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Southwest Conservation Corps based?
Southwest Conservation Corps is headquartered in Durango, United States, in the North America region.
How does Southwest Conservation Corps make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and AmeriCorps Funding is the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Donations and program Fees and Host Contributions.
Who are Southwest Conservation Corps's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EarthCorps, Student Conservation Association (SCA), Conservation Legacy, Northwest Youth Corps, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Utah Conservation Corps and American Conservation Experience. Broad incumbents are The Corps Network and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).
Does Southwest Conservation Corps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southwest Conservation Corps.
What industry is Southwest Conservation Corps in?
Southwest Conservation Corps's product category is Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of THAAAGAK, Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 800.