Make a Difference with ACE!

American Conservation Experience is a non-profit conservation corps offering opportunities for both American and International volunteers to take part in challenging outdoor projects in many of the most beautiful National Parks, National Forests and wilderness areas in the Western United States. We are an affiliate member of The CorpsNetwork.

ACE operates under the philosophy that physically demanding projects in inspiring locations such as the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, and the soaring mountains throughout Arizona has the power to unite people in a common cause.

ACE volunteers come from many nations around the world to volunteer in small teams on direct service projects for the National Forest Service, National Park Service and other land management agencies throughout Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern Utah. Typical projects include trail construction and maintenance, native plant revegetation, exotic species removal, fence construction, erosion control, and wilderness restoration.

Volunteers contribute their energy and enthusiasm in a production-oriented atmosphere in which participants are encouraged to take pride in their team's accomplishments.

Sleep and Eat

Housing Between Projects: Volunteers stay in either student apartments or one of the volunteer houses in Flagstaff or Santa Cruz, on days when they are not taking part in projects. The apartments have washer/dryer, and the houses have a laundromat just a few blocks away. Housing is communal, with up to 3 bunk beds per room and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. This is where volunteers store the luggage they're not bringing on projects, such as suitcases and sport bags. There's also a safe in the office for passports, tickets and other smaller valuables.

Housing During Projects: Most projects are in remote locations and virtually all involve camping. Volunteers should bring warm sleeping bags and sleeping pads to use during projects. Most projects are in remote locations without any developed facilities such as showers or toilets. However, occasionally we stay at developed campgrounds with warm showers and pit toilets. TENTS ARE PROVIDED BY ACE.

Meals: Food is only provided on projects. When ACE volunteers are on projects they cook and clean dishes in a communal environment with everyone sharing responsibilities & taking turns preparing meals for the group from their respective countries (this alone represents a sometimes comical, always rewarding, cultural exchange). Any left over food from project is deemed "common" and divided up amongst the volunteers to take back to their houses.

Other Perks

ACE volunteers contribute their effort in exchange for food during projects (cooked as a group), student style accommodations in Flagstaff, Arizona or Santa Cruz, California, transportation to and from project sites, tents for use on projects, and an opportunity to volunteer and explore some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.

Getting Here and Getting Around

ARIZONA If you arrive at Phoenix, before 6 PM on certain Program Start dates, transportation will be provided from Phoenix to Flagstaff. If you arrive on any other time or dates, you will have to take the bus to Flagstaff yourself.

CALIFORNIA If you arrive at San Francisco before 6 PM, transportation will be provided from the airport to Santa Cruz. If you arrive on any other time or dates, you will have to take the bus to Santa Cruz yourself.

For Fun

Since most projects run on an "8-day working, 6-days off" schedule, it leaves plenty of time for volunteers to explore the Southwest. With five national parks (Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and Bryce Canyon) no more than six hours away, Las Vegas only 4.5 hours away, and numerous events and locales around Flagstaff to visit - there should never be a dull moment. From time to time, ACE also tries to organize educational (and entertaining) field trips such a visits to Lake Powell, climbing Mt. Humphreys (Arizona's highest point!), skiing/snowboarding at Flagstaff's SnowBowl, night sky presentations at the Lowell Observatory, Native American Cultural activies, etc. An outdoors enthusiasts playground, Flagstaff has world-class rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking trails.

And if in Santa Cruz, volunteers love spending time at the beach! San Francisco is only 70 miles away and there's so much of the Pacific Coast Highway to cruise along and explore. Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks are easily within reach.

How to Apply

You must complete our registration form.

International/J-1 Applicants Welcome.

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