An Update on AmeriCorps Project Conserve
Recently, we got some good news for AmeriCorps Project Conserve—although there’s still a lot of uncertainty for the future of this program. The good news is that a federal judge ruled that DOGE’s abrupt termination of the program was likely unlawful.
This is not the final word as the case could be appealed. However, we are hopeful that this will result in the restoration of funds that were promised for the current AmeriCorps term, which runs through the end of July. This would make a big difference to Conserving Carolina and to all of the 14 conservation organizations in WNC that are supported by Project Conserve!
Whether AmeriCorps Project Conserve can continue next year is whole separate question. This is the time of year that we would normally be recruiting and hiring AmeriCorps members, but we don’t know if grant funding will be available for the next term, so we have been unable to move forward.
AmeriCorps Project Conserve has served our communities for the last 20 years. During that time, more than 500 AmeriCorps members have provided over 900,000 hours of service throughout WNC. If we are unable to continue the program next year, it will be greatly missed.