AmeriCorps Update

This post will be updated periodically.

For the first time in 6 years we’re in the heart of burn season without an AmeriCorps crew.

We received word Monday, April 28 that the Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program was terminated effective immediately along with 14 other Iowa AmeriCorps programs. We let our 9 members know yesterday that it was their last day serving with us this term — it was a tearful goodbye. We are continuing to work with this group to get them placed in other programs or find them permanent employment.

Despite the current instability in federal funding, the news was still a shock. Closing these programs has created chaos in the lives of 568 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA members across the state who now suddenly find themselves without income and disconnected from the friends and colleagues in their programs. The elimination of our program also cut off ⅓ of our budget and most of our land stewardship operations.

Since 2019, we’ve been fortunate to serve alongside some amazing individuals. Of the 54 people who successfully completed our AmeriCorps program, 63% are women and 30% came from other states to serve with us. These individuals, dedicated to service, have gone on to do great work in conservation, open their own businesses and serve other nonprofits, many right here in Iowa. No matter what they chose to do after AmeriCorps, they continued to give back to their communities.

We have always seen the value in service and building connections with our community, and we spoke with Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office this morning to advocate for AmeriCorps in Iowa and the key services these programs bring to so many. We will continue to work to bring our AmeriCorps program back and give opportunities to those looking to do good for the environment and for Iowa, and we hope you’ll join us.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program, folks at Volunteer Iowa for making AmeriCorps in Iowa possible, and our conservation community.

Originally posted April 29, 2025.

These are the faces of the Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program.

For the last 8 months, this incredible group has worked to make this service year one to remember.

From the AmeriCorps members who served in the field and within our communities to show why and how we care for the land, to our dedicated staff who trained, supported and empowered them to grow into conservation leaders, everyone was committed to service and success.

Our AmeriCorps program may be closed, but our work to increase biodiversity, restore eastern Iowa’s prairies, woodlands and wetlands and connect our communities to nature is never done. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to our Land Stewardship Fund to support this mission.

You can also support us by sharing your AmeriCorps stories and speaking up about why service matters to you. Let our legislators know what’s at stake and why AmeriCorps is worth saving — not just for us, but for the future of conservation, community and service in Iowa.

Originally posted May 2, 2025.