GEORGIA—As the USDA Forest Service looks to increase capacity for fire and fuels programs nationwide, one Southern Region model of interagency cooperation is paving the way for success.

Since 2020, a key interagency agreement between AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and the Forest Service has created the opportunity to pair AmeriCorps crews with forests across the Southern Region.

"Our fire experience this year has been unique because of the mountainous terrain and fuel types, which are new to our team. It's allowed us to learn new tactics and more about fire behavior," said AmeriCorps member Camden Hart.

AmeriCorps forest teams obtain all basic wildland fire courses and chainsaw training through the Forest Service at the start of a 10-month residency period. Once trained, forest teams focus on fire assignments throughout the Southern Region to assist with prescribed fire as well as a wide range of other land management needs during their assignment. These teams are also available nationally to respond to wildland fires and other disasters.

While the agreement may seem like a standard conservation agency agreement, it differs in one key way.

“Forests do not have to pay to host our specialized AmeriCorps crews,” said Stephanie Chan, National Civilian Community Corps assistant program director for the Southern Region. “Of course, prospective forests must meet certain criteria, however, and the application process is competitive.”

In the three years since the two agencies have teamed up, national forest applications have gone up more than 300% compared to the three years prior, said Chan.

Forest leadership at the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest were impressed with their assigned AmeriCorps forest team.

“We gained so much more than just extra firefighters to do work,” said Amy McClave, fire management officer on the Chattooga River Ranger District. “I was impressed by their desire to learn and their work ethic. We will definitely be applying to host a crew again next year.”

Recently, the AmeriCorps forest teams awarded the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia its “Forest Sponsor of the Year” award, which highlights tremendous support for the team.

The Forest Service and the AmeriCorps in the Southern Region hope this provides a roadmap for other regions to implement similar interagency agreements to expand this successful program throughout the nation.