Over the past few years I have served two seasons working for AmeriCorps programs. Once in 2024 working for the Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) and once in 2022 working for the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC).

During my time working for SCC I spent my season as a member of a backcountry crosscut crew in wilderness areas. This position gave me not only the opportunity to learn the historic crosscut saw but also spend up to 8 days backpacking through the mountains of Southwest Colorado. This position was my first real introduction to living and working in the outdoors. Due to the extreme environment of high elevation and the nature of cutting large trees with a two-man handsaw I learned that this line of work was something to take seriously. I learned a lot about myself and how I fit into the idea of wilderness in America. I also gained a lot of experience living and working many miles in to the backcountry.

In 2024 I worked a season with WCC. Like my season on the cross cut crew, I was primarily doing forestry. I spent most of this season using a chainsaw to cut fire line. During this season I was able to obtain my S2-12 chainsaw certification as well as round out my experience doing many other tasks such as invasive species work and building fences.