Introduction:montana conservation corps (MCC) has a strong partnership with the U.S. Fish and wildlife service

Montana Conservation Corps, Inc. received a cooperative agreement of $111,097.38 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 6 under the Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment program (CFDA 15.676), effective June 27, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2028. The organization will deploy prescreened and well-trained AmeriCorps members, including a Balance, Service, and Work Crew (BSWC) member and associated crews, to conduct conservation and educational activities across Region 6 wildlife refuges and public lands in Montana.

The primary deliverables include habitat restoration, invasive species mitigation, and educational outreach initiatives targeting the removal, treatment, and monitoring of invasive species such as Russian olive and leafy spurge that threaten native prairie and wetland ecosystems. AmeriCorps participants will gain hands-on work experience in public lands and natural resource management while providing direct benefits to the public through improved recreational opportunities and environmental education. This award exemplifies the USFWS's strategy of partnering with qualified nonprofit conservation organizations to engage young adults aged 16-30 (up to age 35 for veterans) in meaningful conservation work that addresses critical resource management needs while fostering long-term stewardship values and career development in natural resources.

This steadfast partnership has resulted in transformational experiences for our participants whileconsistently meeting refuge needs.activities to be performed:MCC americorps members will focus efforts on education, habitat and invasive species mitigationprojects that will provide lasting benefits to the public and local ecosystems throughout the target area.expected deliverables or outcomes:MCC proposes to place a combination of a bswc member and crews to meet the project needs of theusfws over the project period. Prescreened and well-trained americorps members will focus efforts ONA variety of restoration projects and education initiatives throughout region 6. Projects will be locatedthroughout the region and will vary in focus from education and outreach initiatives to targeted removal, treatment and monitoring for invasive species such as russian olive and leafy spurge which aredisrupting critical native prairie and wetland ecosystem servicesintended beneficiaries:this project will benefit the public by providing improved opportunities for recreation while gaining abetter understanding of the rich natural history of our public lands. The MCC participants will gain workexperience in public lands and natural resources management while promoting long-term interest inpublic lands stewardship and the USFWS.