Southwest Conservation Corps

For over twenty years, Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) has been at the heart of conservation in the Southwest, mobilizing communities to protect and rejuvenate our natural landscapes. Through hands-on projects and a commitment to service, SCC brings people together to care for our lands while nurturing a generation of environmental leaders. When you support SCC, you’re investing in conservation that reaches beyond landscapes, strengthening communities, empowering young leaders, and ensuring our natural resources are protected for generations to come. Your gift directly fuels high-impact conservation projects, and we are deeply grateful for your support— every bit truly makes a difference! 

Funds from our Colorado Gives Campaign will be directed towards our local youth programs. Your donation is more than a contribution; it’s a catalyst for change. SCC’s youth programs provide young people with hands-on experience that prepares them for futures in conservation and beyond. Through teamwork, leadership development, and practical skills training, we help participants connect with their communities and see the impact of their work firsthand. You can learn more about our local youth program and the communities we serve here. If you want to learn about all of the other programs SCC offers, visit us here!

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          Testimonials from Local Youth Participants:

 “This summer with the Southwest Conservation Corps backcountry crew was one an incredibly rewarding experience. SCC isn’t just about the breathtaking places or the hard, meaningful work; it’s about the people. The community is unbelievably welcoming, supportive, and fun, always ready to lift you up when you’re tired and sore, and celebrate the wins, big or small. The backcountry crew meant loving and working so closely together without contact to the outside world. All of this only made the experience better, creating bonds that feel more like family than coworkers, and those connections will stay with me long after the end of our season. Every project with SCC reminds me why I keep coming back: the meaningful work, our incredible public lands, the laughter, the support and connections, the unique and wonderful people, and the shared purpose of caring for our wild places." - 2025 Youth Member, 18, La Plata County

"SCC program I think is the best program that there is for kids like me. I learned a lot and achieved a lot while being in this program and I hope it does the same for other kids as well in the future. I really enjoyed working with the people that were in the same program as me and I'm proud that I learned to reroute trails and I learned how to use tools that I've never used before. I had an amazing time these last couple weeks and I'm glad that I did this program and hope that the other kids felt the same way."
-Hector Gonzalez, 17, Conejos County

              What did you learn during your season with SCC?

"I learned how to be more independent and foster a community outside of my home.  How to communicate boundaries with people who you don't know but will be spending a lot of time with."  

"I learned how to love the outdoors & look at the whole world that surrounds me in a more meaningful way. "

"I learned how to be more of a leader, I also learned how to be more confident in myself."  

   "I learned leadership, outdoor, communication, personal,
      professional skills and developed a stronger work ethic."