AmeriCorps Program

An adult is pointing out a spider on a leaf to 5 children who are leaning over to look at it. The forest behind them is green and they are in warm weather clothes, indicating that it is summer.

AmeriCorps is a domestic version of the Peace Corps, in which people spend 6-month, to a year, or longer in service to their communities. Click here to learn more about the program we work with, High Rocks.

Potomac Valley Audubon Society has been partnering with AmeriCorps for years and have hosted dozens of youth education and conservation AmeriCorps Service Members.

Read below to see what they have to say after they finish their service with us:

Anthony Marmorella, Land and Conservation, 2022

After serving with PVAS as an AmeriCorps in 2022, I spent a year in Montana doing another AmeriCorps term as a Big Sky Watershed Corp member. Now I’m about to head down to South Carolina to start a field technician position working on a research project with pine trees. PVAS was a wonderful experience for me, as my first position out of college. It introduced me to AmeriCorps service and confirmed my love for conservation and nature. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support and experience gained from PVAS.

Donald Vogel, Land and Conservation, 2021

Since serving with PVAS as an AmeriCorps, I graduated from the University of Maryland in 2022 with a bachelors in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in public leadership. After graduation, I completed an internship with Wetland Studies and Solutions Inc (WSSI) working on wetland restoration projects. In February this year I started as a Student Services Contractor for the EPA’s Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement (OSAPE) where I’m part of the innovations team. In terms of how PVAS has helped with my career path, it has given me valuable experience with public outreach and writing for general audiences, as well as something that is often noted by employers when discussing my resume.

Charlotte Boncella, Environmental Educator, 2023-2024
As a PVAS AmeriCorps, I was able to learn real skills that were invaluable to my career path. I learned how to confidently teach children about the environment, while also learning skills that can carry over into any job in the environmental field, like plant and animal identification. PVAS is also staffed by such kind people who provided me with great support. I am so thankful for this experience and would highly recommend this position to anyone with interest in education or the outdoors.

Sam Ellis, Environmental Educator, 2023-2024
Serving a year term with PVAS was a positive experience that brought out a lot of personal and professional growth for me. From day one I was able to join hands on in environmental education in the classroom and outdoors. All the people connected to PVAS taught me new things every day and treated me with kindness and patience as I learned. The whole staff greeted me warmly and continued to support me as the year went on. In my year I had the pleasure of working on a team stacked with educators that supported each other and fueled the group curiosity. Everywhere there was a struggle there was also a new idea and encouragement for continued learning. Being a part of the PVAS team felt special to me and I would recommend anyone looking for a taste of environmental education to apply.

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