AMERICORPS – YOUR WORLD. YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AmeriCorps is the national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange for three months to one year of community engagement. Keepers of the Land AmeriCorps members are key players in assisting the DNR in its community empowerment efforts. Members make a significant impact generating volunteers, providing environmental education, conducting wildlife surveys, enhancing land and water trails, implementing conservation practices, and restoring wildlife habitat.

In 2007, our members lead Iowans in caring for our natural resources:

• Delivered environmental education programs to 23,537 Iowans and visitors
• Recruited over 1,002 volunteers who donated more than 5,037 hours of service
• Renovated 96 miles of trails in Iowa state parks and preserves
• Maintained 7,634 acres of public land
• Assisted 262 landowners and enrolled 1,297 acres of private land in conservation programs
• Performed 134 wildlife surveys

AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance, an education award at the completion of service, and housing if available. Members must be a US citizen, US national, or legal permanent resident alien, age 17 or older, and have a high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain one while serving.

• Full-time positions:
  For a minimum of 1700 hours of service, full-time members receive a modest monthly living allowance of a minimum of $12,000 (exact amount dependent upon position and funding availability ), $4,725 education award, and health/dental/death benefit insurance. Positions start in September or October.
  
  
• Seasonal positions:
  For a minimum of 450 hours of service, seasonal members receive a modest monthly living allowance of a minimum of $3,176 (exact amount dependent upon position and funding availability) and $1,250 education award. Positions usually start in May and end in August.

Positions are funded by an AmeriCorps grant and as such require the successful candidate to complete all of the required activities as outlined in the member handbook and contract. Upon completion of these requirements, the education award will be released. Education awards can be used to help pay off qualified student loans or to finance additional education from qualified institutions. More information about AmeriCorps can be found at www.americorps.gov.

• AmeriCorps * State and National Factsheet,*.pdf