Welcome and Thank You for your interest in AmeriCorps service at the Yew Mountain Center!
We are seeking a member to help with our educational initiatives around stewardship of the land and expansion of the Mountain Medine Trail network to improve rural, agriculture-based businesses. We are looking to fill a 3 or 6-month position starting in June.
The Yew Mountain Center runs a forest farm and hosts the West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative. Both efforts seek to conserve land while creating economic opportunities for mountain families. We offer field trips for local schools, educational workshops and evening events are educational, cultural events, and/or wellness experiences for all ages. This year we will be expanding our Mountain Medicine Trail to four counties in WV. The Mountain Medicine Trail is an agritourism initiative designed to raise public awareness of the importance of our region’s native medicinal plants and their historical, cultural, and ecological significance. The trail consists of a network of partner destination sites to attract visitors to our rural communities to buy locally produced goods, stay with lodging partners, and pay for interpretive experiences.
The AmeriCorps member(s) would help extend the work started by previous members, other volunteers, and staff. Stewardship and educational projects on the land include continuing work on interpretive signage and trail development, mitigating invasive species, gardening, and maintenance of the forest farming areas. Community outreach to build partnerships and relationships along the Mountain Medicine Trail can be an important component of the member's service.
This volunteer should enjoy working outdoors. Knowledge of Appalachian ecology would be helpful but not a requirement. Good communication skills are essential. Ability to navigate social media for marketing and publicity purposes is a plus. This volunteer should be able to work with a team, take initiative, and follow through with minimal supervision. The member duties can be flexible to accommodate the special skills and experience of the candidate.