–This position has been filled–.
The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is now accepting applications for an AmeriCorps Naturalist & Stewardship Associate through AmeriCorps Project Conserve (ACPC) for the 2025-26 service term.
AmeriCorps service with HRI provides an excellent opportunity to interact with the local environmental conservation and natural resources community, engage in impactful work with a great team of professionals and members of the public, and be out in the woods in special places in the Southern Appalachian mountain region of Western North Carolina.
ACPC members serve an 11-month term from October 1st, 2025 to August 31st, 2026 with a total service commitment of 1,700 hours. Compensation includes a $31,500 living stipend (split evenly throughout the term), a $7,395 educational award, professional development opportunities, and additional benefits outlined on the Project Conserve website. This position is based out of HRI’s office in Asheville, NC.
The Naturalist and Stewardship (N&S) Associate will increase collective awareness and appreciation of hemlock trees’ pivotal role as foundation species by gaining an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the relationships between hemlocks, the environments in which they exist, and the other organisms they support, and then interpreting and documenting the details and nuances of those relationships using a variety of methods (short and long-form journalism, photography, video, illustration, etc.). These will be shared via digital and non-digital platforms, such as on our website, social media, newsletters, and as visual aids for in-person educational events. The HRI N&S Associate will reach out to, and connect with, other relevant conservation organizations that have specialized expertise about some of the associated organisms that co-exist with hemlocks in order to develop new ideas of how to convey the importance of hemlock restoration to the public in novel and engaging ways.
Additionally, the ACPC member will work with the HRI forestry crew to protect more hemlock trees from the impacts of the hemlock woolly adelgid. This will primarily be accomplished using chemical and biological control methods, but occasionally will involve assisting with other hemlock restoration strategies as well. The member will work closely with HRI staff and forestry technicians in the field and office.
Primary duties may include:
- Recording and documenting the biodiversity of species in our Hemlock Conservation Areas (HCAs), and creating tools, such as interpretive training guides with talking points, that will inform and aid other HRI staff in their hemlock management and outreach activities.
- Increasing awareness of the value of hemlocks in natural and human communities through multimedia descriptions of the diverse benefits of hemlocks’ ecosystem services, including their role in mitigating climate change.
- Increasing awareness of the threats to hemlocks and related forest health, including pests, pathogens, and climatic factors.
- Assisting HRI forestry crew and agency partners to perform stand assessments and insecticide treatments to control HWA on federal and state public lands and conserved lands
- Maintaining equipment and data
Read the full service description here.
Please note: This position is contingent on continued AmeriCorps grant funding.
Apply and learn more about eligibility requirements and compensation on the AmeriCorps Project Conserve website. Applications are due by August 4th, 2025. All questions can be directed to Olivia Hall at education@savehemlocksnc.org.
“My term serving with HRI as an AmeriCorps member has been simultaneously inspirational and foundational. I’ve been able to work many days in the field actively saving hemlocks, interact with hundreds of volunteers, educate a diverse array of audiences about hemlocks and their conservation, and participate in a variety of conservation related experiences offered through the Project Conserve Program. This position has constantly drawn me into new areas of intrigue and granted me the skills and experience needed to expand my horizons in work, life, and play. It’s hard to imagine a better way to spend 11 months!”
Aaron Whittemore, ACPC HRI Stewardship and Conservation Education Associate 2021-22
The mission of AmeriCorps Project Conserve is to serve Western North Carolina by building stronger, more educated, and more informed communities. Project Conserve is administered by Conserving Carolina and funded by an AmeriCorps grant from the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service in the office of Governor Roy Cooper, and the critical support of our host sites and community partners.
The Hemlock Restoration Initiative’s mission is to work with a variety of partners and existing programs to restore hemlocks to long-term health throughout North Carolina and ensure that eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist hemlock woolly adelgid and survive to maturity on North Carolina’s public and private lands. HRI is a grant-funded program managed by WNC Communities.
WNC Communities is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status. People with diverse skills and experience are encouraged to apply.