Power Your Projects with ACE Crews

ACE operates nationwide and across all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, so geography is not a major constraint. Project size may vary depending on the type of service (crew, EPIC placement) and practicality/logistics will be discussed during intake.

Yes. Every ACE crew of 6 to 8 members is directly supervised by a professionally trained ACE Crew Leader. Our leaders oversee daily operations, ensure rigorous safety standards are met, and manage project execution to guarantee high-quality results.

While ACE may not directly provide grant funding, our partnerships and services can help you deliver on grant-funded project scopes (for example through crew work or technical support). We can support your organization in achieving the measurable outcomes that many grants require. ACE will also co-write or co-manage grants, depending on the particular project.

No. ACE provides a comprehensive, turn-key solution. We supply all necessary project tools, safety equipment, and personal protective gear. Furthermore, we arrange all housing, off-day accommodations, meals, and transportation for our crews.

Once we understand your project scope, timeline, and logistical needs, ACE will provide a cost estimate. The specific billing/financial terms will be outlined in the agreement. Your ACE project manager can walk you through cost drivers such as travel, equipment, crew duration, training, etc.

Contact the ACE Solutions team lead Dan McLendon, dmclendon@usaconservation.org, to discuss your technical need, scope, timeline, and deliverables.

We would love to discuss your upcoming project needs. Please reach out to our team directly at partnership@usaconservation.org to begin the conversation and request a customized proposal.

Success can be measured via achieved deliverables (e.g., miles of trail built, acres of invasive species treated), the capacity-building of your staff/volunteers, improved land-management metrics, cost-effectiveness, and ongoing conservation benefits. We recommend discussing desired metrics and reporting expectations during the initial scoping conversation.

Yes. ACE is a registered provider in SAM.gov and serves as a trusted partner for FEMA and AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams. We have successfully deployed crews for debris removal, hazard tree mitigation, and volunteer management following major natural disasters across the U.S. and its territories.

Yes! We’re happy to consult with you and provide a cost estimate. ACE is flexible and mission-driven, so let’s talk about your needs.

It’s helpful to have:

• A clear project scope or desired outcomes (e.g., trail construction, invasive species removal, forest thinning)
• Timeline for when you want work to begin and major milestones.
• Approximate budget or funding source, if applicable.
• Site specifics (location, access, current conditions) and any regulatory or permitting requirements.
• Any partner-provided resources (if relevant) such as tools, lodging, logistic support, etc.

For the Crew program, we provide:

• A trained crew leader and team of 6-8 members under supervision.
• All field gear, transportation (4×4 when needed), food/water/camping gear (if back-country), PPE, hand tools and equipment (chainsaws, crosscut saws, rockwork tools, etc.)
• Training certifications for crew members (e.g., Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, herbicide application) as applicable.
• Assurance of quality work and oversight from ACE field & office support staff.

The EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Conservation) program places recent college graduates and young adults with workforce experience into partner organizations for individual placements in disciplines including cultural resources, rangeland/habitat, GIS, policy/NEPA, fisheries/water resources, visitor services, etc. ACE recruits, supports, and develops the members, while your organization provides the mentorship and discipline-specific work environment.

ACE crews are highly flexible. While our corpsmembers typically serve terms of 3, 6, or 9 months, project lengths can be customized to meet your agency’s specific operational needs—from rapid short-term deployments for disaster response to multi-month, phased ecological restoration initiatives.

ACE partners via cooperative agreements, MOUs, or simple partner-agreements depending on the nature of the organization (federal/state agencies, non-profits, private partners). We tailor the agreement to fit the scope of work and partner’s needs.

ACE assigns project managers and field leads to partner projects to ensure supervision, safety, and quality. For training and consulting services, subject-matter experts deliver the programs and monitor outcomes. We abide by safety protocols, certifications, and best practices in conservation programming.

ACE partners with a broad array of organizations including federal, state, and local agencies; non-profits; municipalities, private landowners or companies.

ACE corpsmembers arrive ready to work safely and efficiently. They receive industry-recognized instruction, including Chainsaw and Cross-Cut Saw Training, Trail Skills, and Wilderness First Aid.

• ACE brings the conservation-corps model: emerging professionals driven by mission, supported by a national organization, engaged in meaningful service alongside partner goals.
• We operate coast to coast (all 50 states + eastern territories) and have experience working with federal, state, local and non-profit partners.
• Our ACE Solutions team brings subject matter expertise (forestry, trails, restoration, GIS, wilderness medicine) and can offer on-the-ground support for more complex projects.

You can expect:

• Completion of conservation or land-management tasks that might be difficult to resource internally (e.g., trail construction, invasive species removal).
• A partner that can help you effectively engage a motivated workforce and align with conservation mission goals.
• Reporting and metrics where applicable (depending on project) to track progress, impact, and deliverables.

• Restoration planning & implementation: invasive species management, revegetation, habitat monitoring, herbicide application (where licensed)
• Trail system planning & design (multi-use, ADA accessible, OHV, mountain biking), training of crews and volunteers in trail maintenance/construction.
• Forestry services: forest-health assessments, fuels-mitigation planning, fire-wise assessments, chainsaw/crosscut training.
• Wilderness medicine and safety training programs for field crews, volunteers, and organizations in urban, front, and backcountry settings.

• Field crews (fully-equipped teams) for projects like habitat restoration, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, historic preservation, wildlife monitoring, etc.
• Individual placements of emerging professionals (through our EPIC program) for short or long-term internships with partner organizations in disciplines such as cultural resources, GIS, land-management, interpretation and outreach.
• Specialized consulting through our ACE Solutions group: training; technical support; planning and implementation in areas such as trails, forestry, and restoration; GIS; wilderness medicine; and forestry.

Contact us at partnership@usaconservation.org.