On October 27, 2022, a water tank broke, creating a major water infrastructure crisis within the Pueblo of Acoma. There was no running water, forcing the health clinic, dialysis center, and schools to close. The lack of running water was especially challenging and dangerous for elderly residents and others who do not have the resources or ability to haul water. Aaron Lowden, former Acoma Program Manager for Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC), sent out the call to help deliver water to those in need. ALCC responded.

Native American Heritage Month, observed every November in the United States, is an opportune time to celebrate the rich and diverse Indigenous cultures, histories, and traditions rooted across our country. Join us in recognizing and celebrating Native contributions in community service projects this month, and every month, by learning how a Tribal Youth Corps Program in New Mexico is conducting lifesaving work in their community.

As a Native ancestral site, Wupatki holds deep meaning for a number of Southwestern cultural groups. That recognition has led to incorporating traditional knowledge and Indigenous viewpoints. To that end, young men and women with the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps are key participants in the new grant-funded program. Crews from Zuni (and possibly other tribes in the future) are gaining field experience in stabilization and repair, and learning of possible professional careers in preservation and interpretation.

Five Fremont County college students traveled to world’s highest peak to test climate sensors in partnership with historic all-Black expedition

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today joined Tribal leaders, community partners and Indigenous youth to celebrate the launch of the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) and unveil the program’s guidelines. The IYSC is a new partnership-based program that will provide meaningful education, employment and training opportunities to Indigenous youth through conservation projects on public and Indian lands, and Hawaiian homelands – putting young people on a path to good-paying jobs while working to tackle the climate crisis.

The tribe was awarded a $55,000 grant for the ethnobotany project from Great Outdoors Colorado in cooperation with Trees Water & People, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, and the Montezuma Land Conservancy.

“The National Park Foundation has consistently been one of our strongest funding partners over the years,” said Ron Hassel, Conservation Legacy’s Partnerships Director. “We are thrilled to once again have their support in 2022, and can’t wait to put their funding to action through our conservation corps crews and individual placement interns. We are especially excited about ALCC’s Native Conservation Crew, whose members will continue to help integrate Indigenous insight and perspective into the national park narrative—truly a crucial collaboration.”

Meet up with the Ancestral Lands Zuni crew as they maintain trails on the highest peak in Arizona and a sacred place to many indigenous people - Humphrey's Peak. Get to know the crew and their dedication to steward this sacred mountain.

In north-western New Mexico, traditional Indigenous farming methods are being passed down to protect against the effects of climate crisis

At Bears Ears National Monument, a crew of young men from the Pueblo of Zuni is caring for the cliff dwellings their ancestors built 800 years ago.