The Nature Corps’ Conservation Strategy

In 1987 when The Nature Corps began its volunteer program in the National Parks the backlog of park projects was estimated at $2.3 billion. Today it has climbed past $8 billion and growing. Consequently, the National Park Service has expressed the desire to forge public and corporate partnerships for the purpose of increasing public support and involvement to complete critical preservation projects.

However, while desiring to increase the number of volunteers working in the parks, the National Park Service recognizes that it lacks the manpower to manage a growing volunteer corps. Consequently, the Park Service is requesting that The Nature Corps serve as a facilitating agency to interface with the public and organize volunteers to assist in the oversight of the design, planning, and implementation of important conservation projects.

To facilitate an emergent volunteer force, The Nature Corps is establishing TNC logistical teams in the most impacted National Parks. These teams will provide the essential infrastructure to accommodate greater numbers of desperately needed volunteers. Ultimately, this conservation strategy will yield a model volunteer management program that would be replicated in other National Parks allowing for the mobilization of a concerned public to take part in an historic effort to preserve our National Parks.

In the final analysis, this conservation strategy will result in the development of a significant volunteer workforce to address the ever-growing backlog of park projects.