Host Site Overview & Application

For 25 years, the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps (RCSC) has showcased the remarkable abilities of young people, proving their skill, determination, and dedication in accomplishing challenging conservation projects.

RCSC places Conservation Corps Members in 10-week, full-time service positions with municipal and non-profit organizations across Rockland County. During their term, Corps members gain invaluable real-world experience by contributing to meaningful environmental projects on behalf of their host sites. They also receive networking and training opportunities, engage in related fieldwork, and develop a deeper understanding of both the natural resources and sustainable challenges of Rockland County. Throughout their service, members play a vital role in advancing essential environmental and conservation initiatives.

Hosting a Conservation Corps Member brings valuable benefits to partner organizations. Sites gain access to motivated individuals eager to develop new skills that will contribute to both their personal and professional growth. Corps Members also provide essential extra capacity, helping to accomplish conservation projects that might otherwise be difficult to complete with limited staff and resources. In addition, RCSC handles all administrative procedures, including payroll, insurance, workers' compensation, background checks, and more.

Host sites are responsible for assigning meaningful and challenging tasks, tracking Corps Member progress, and coordinating periodic site visits with RCSC staff to provide updates on members and projects. Sites are also expected to participate in the program's Season Finale, typically held in the second week of August.

Host sites are selected based on the quality of their application and the potential impact Corps members can have on advancing conservation efforts across Rockland County.

Host Site Information

Contracts and Positions Descriptions are due by April 28, 2025.

• 2025 RCSC Host Site Application

2025 Host Sites
Members began service at Host Sites on June 2nd, 2025.

Former Host Sites have included:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County (Stony Point)
• Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (Palisades)
• Rockland County Department of Environmental Resources (Pomona)
• Rockland County Drainage Agency (New City)
• Rockland County Soil and Water Conservation District (Pomona)
• Town of Ramapo Highway Department (Suffern)
• Clarkstown Planning Department (New City)
• River Hook Preserve (Upper Nyack) 
•  Palisades Interstate Park Commission

Testimonials from Host Site Supervisors:

Mike DiMola, County Parks Manager – Rockland Department of Environmental Resources

"RCSC has been extremely helpful in doing third party evaluations of the trails in the County Parks. This gives us another viewpoint of the trails from people who do not see them every day, as well as recommendations that may not have been considered in the past.

The trail evaluations performed by the RCSC are used to schedule maintenance and improvements, some of which are performed by the members during their tenure with our agency."

Margie Turin, Director of Educational Field Programs – Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory

"I do not believe we could have successfully rolled out this program without the Corps Members enthusiastic involvement and hard work. They were instrumental in every step of the program, from content to design, to student interaction and engagement to meaningful student products. We look forward to continuing this relationship!"