Who We Are

THE MCC MISSION

Inspiring young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities.

Those are the words we live by and the mission we serve here at Montana Conservation Corps. We strive to give every member the experience of a lifetime through challenging conservation projects and the rigors of life outdoors, coupled with education developed specifically to create engaged citizens and lifelong environmental stewards.

Our corps members say MCC is a great place for personal growth, to learn practical job skills, build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership competencies, and to develop the ability to work well with people from all walks of life. 

OUR COMMUNITY

We care - At MCC, we center relationships and strive for excellence in building a community where everyone experiences belonging. Authentic connection enables us to relate across differences, build empathy, and lean into challenges together.

We empower - MCC instills hope and purpose in young people. MCC is a catalyst for change, cultivating character and resilience, fostering a growth mindset, and teaching work and life skills that help young people lead change in their own lives and in their communities.

We conserve - Conservation connects us to the land and to the legacy of corps. We get things done to improve our lands and communities. By getting things done, we instill hope and purpose, build skills, and cultivate character.

We serve - We believe in service as a strategy for personal growth, community impact. Through service, we foster compassion and skills for life. The spirit of service inspires our commitment to our colleagues, corps members, and project partners and communities.

We lead - We believe that everyone can be a leader and that leadership may be learned. By intentionally empowering young people to learn, grow and lead, we cultivate the next generation of leaders. Our place-based learning fosters a commitment to action for the environment.

We work for quality results - We honor that each person has the right to define and celebrate their own measures for excellence – yet we strive together for personal and organizational accomplishment. We learn from mistakes and choose a growth mindset. We work hard and persevere, yet value balance in life and work. We proudly roll up our sleeves to get things done.

HISTORY

The Montana Conservation Corps grew out of great ideas, great people, and a great legacy. Stories of the men who joined and served in the male-only Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression could be heard at coffee counters across Montana. Tales of their accomplishments to improve the landscape, including the development of Montana's first state park at the Lewis and Clark Caverns, and the spirit of the men who joined were numerous and verging on mythical, in the best tradition of Montana.

In 1990, Human Resource Development Council agencies from Billings, Bozeman, and Kalispell established the Montana Conservation Corps. Our first Executive Director, Steve Nelsen, tells of starting MCC with nothing but a desk, a phone, and a box of Kleenex.

The first MCC crews were fielded in the summer of 1991 through the cooperation of the HRDC and sponsoring agencies such as the City of Billings, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1993, MCC successfully obtained AmeriCorps funding, which doubled the budget and established regional offices.

Now MCC has a multimillion-dollar budget and has matured into a leader in the national corps movement. We are proud of our humble roots and thankful for all those who have contributed to the development of MCC over the years. To all of our alumni, staff, board volunteers, and community champions—thank you for being a part of the Montana Conservation Corps.