Welcome Employee Groups

Project S.A.V.E. (Special Assignment Volunteers for the Environment) are intensive one-day park projects open to the general public. Typically, volunteers work to preserve an impacted habitat or assist in the preparation of critical conservation project. There are no tuition costs and free camping is usually provided. Workdays are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. For a schedule of events and upcoming conservation projects, please contact us.

If you would like to support Project S.A.V.E. volunteers or our student volunteer programs, please consider helping out with a tax-deductible contribution.

Service-Learning Vacations

Hundreds of teachers and other professionals are earning continuing education units by teaming up to work, learn and play in unforgettable and inspiring professional development programs at any of several National Parks. These unique, back-to-nature working and learning adventures are designed to provide teachers, their family and friends with meaningful and rewarding learning experiences.

These service-learning vacations include participating on research-based conservation programs in parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Hawaii where participants can earn up to 3 CEUs.

As part of these professional development opportunities, science teachers will have a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and work alongside park biologists to apply resource management practices designed to protect the endangered flora and fauna in our national and state parks. After volunteering on critical conservation projects, participants will enjoy instructional tours at various points of interest throughout the parks.

Bring your family for a memorable vacation or recommend this page to colleagues and friends who would want to share in this rewarding experience. For more information contact us.

Explore. Volunteer. Vacation

Nature Corps organizes all-inclusive volunteer vacations that support the growing need for preservation and rehabilitation of fragile wilderness ecosystems within our national and state parks. Join us on a volunteer vacation, contribute to our treasured parks and leave your personal legacy. Experience the rewards of protecting the endangered rainforests of Hawaii, restoring alpine meadows in Yosemite or protecting ancient groves of giant sequoia — the largest living organisms on earth.

Led by Nature Corps staff, volunteers attend fully catered and professionally guided volunteer vacations designed to complete critical conservation projects and take volunteers behind the scenes of our magnificent parks.

Approximately half of the volunteer vacation is devoted to preserving these national treasures. Throughout the rest of the expedition, our experienced naturalists will lead you on a variety of recreational activities including hiking, fishing, strolling on moonlight nature walks, visiting picturesque meadows or picnicking alongside a stunning glacial lake in the High Sierra.

After a full day of exploring the great outdoors, you will satisfy your appetite on the savory aromas and hearty dishes prepared by talented chefs. These exciting volunteer vacations can be part of a rewarding experience that will provide you with a lifetime of rich memories.

Please Note:  Proceeds from your volunteer vacation tuition will be used to support our Student Volunteer program. For that reason, a portion of your tuition is tax deductible.

Youth Stewardship Programs

Nature Corps collaborates with park agencies and various youth organizations to utilize the awe-inspiring beauty of our parks to impact low-income youth. The goal of the program is to instill the students with an appreciation for nature and encourage them to serve as stewards of our public lands.

To achieve these objective Nature Corps’ five-day outdoor adventures implement the following components:

• Engaging, hands-on outdoor education programs
• Rewarding volunteer opportunities
• Showcasing fulfilling careers in conservation, and
• Introducing the youth to exciting outdoor recreational opportunities

Program Objectives

Convincing most young people to do hard physical work for several days on behalf of the common good is an ethic that is foreign to most nowadays. But by combining volunteering with “insider” environmental education and recreation, a package is created that has proven irresistible to all but a few. Each and every expedition produces tangible results— trees planted, habitat restored or meadow reestablished. These outcomes spell success for every member on the team, and most look forward to on-going interaction with their contribution to the environment.

A Corporate Responsibility Opportunity Your Employees Will Love

America’s corporations are taking part in a sweeping movement to preserve the magnificent beauty of our state and national parks. In the process, companies are meeting their social responsibility objectives while providing employees with meaningful and authentic team building opportunities. Through Nature Corps’ award-winning programs, hundreds of employees are teaming up to work, learn and play in intense and unforgettable volunteer expeditions at any of several state and national parks.

Nature Corps invites your company to participate in these unique, back-to-nature working adventures that will enhance employee relationships, foster team building and promote company loyalty. Your employees will receive hands-on training in a dynamic outdoor classroom where volunteerism sets the tone for learning leadership, team building, and communication skills.

Participation in this program will not require any company staff support. Nature Corps provides a turnkey service that multiplies the contribution of each volunteer in the context of team building and personal growth, all while leaving your company’s legacy in our nation’s most cherished public lands.

A Benefit in Support of Our Student Volunteers

Lastly, your company’s participation in Nature Corps’ employee programs serves as a benefit in support of our low-income student volunteers who are eager to leave their personal legacy in the parks.

Make the greatest impact with your philanthropic/HR investment. The Nature Corps program will benefit your company by:

• * Offering your employees rewarding life experiences as they leave a company legacy in the state and national parks
• * Fostering team-building that promotes strong, collaborative relationships by utilizing the WorkTraits Compatibility System
• * Create awareness for the company’s social responsibility efforts through social media, internet marketing and tangible, attention-grabbing PR that these world-renowned parks provide
• * Strengthening government relations by participating in programs supported by park superintendents and congressional and state representatives
• * Promoting stakeholder loyalty by associating the company’s conservation efforts with the public’s affection and concern for our cherished state and national parks
• * Providing trained Nature Corps staff to fully administer and implement the outings requiring no company staff support And, the proceeds from your grant will be used to …

Sponsor underserved youth who are who are eager to leave their personal legacy in the National Parks

*  $9950 Sponsors a private outing for up to 25 employees (or a combination of employees and their guest/s.)

*  $12500 Sponsors a private outing for up to 25 employees and includes individualized WorkTraits Compatibility Survey for each employee and a professional team building expert to utilize the survey information to maximize the efficiency of your employee teams.

Not only do these sponsorship's help you achieve your corporate responsibility objectives and promote team building among your employees, the net proceeds are used to support our low-income student volunteers.

Friday

After a festive BBQ dinner there will be an orientation outlining the itinerary for the trip. Afterwards, the employees will gather at a vista point with a breathtaking view of the Sierra Nevada to discuss the outcomes of their individual WorkTraits analysis. They will also participate in the “Friendship Circle”, an interactive activity designed to facilitate group interaction.

Saturday

The National Park Service welcomes the employees. Safety guidelines are presented. The group is divided into teams to work on various projects. Your employees will play a vital role in restoring critical habitats in the parks. Sample projects include planting trees, re-vegetation of impacted park habitat, removing non-native flora, gathering seeds of endangered species and working in park nurseries. At lunch the teams regroup to meet with a team building facilitator to discuss their team dynamics during their work time. After dinner, the employees will hike to a beautiful meadow to review their “discoveries” and discuss how to apply those “discoveries” in their workplace. When they return, dessert will be served and various interactive games will be presented to further enhance their relationships and team building experience.

Sunday

On their last day in the park, the volunteers will participate in a Farewell Ceremony. They will then have the opportunity to stroll through spectacular groves of giant sequoias, hike around meadows teaming with wildflowers, explore Crystal Cave or take a nature walk to other points of interest in the park. The program concludes at 2:00PM, however, volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the day in the park.