THE BIG PICTURES: THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS

The Big Pictures: THE SAN FRANCISCO

Amid lightning strikes, an opening in the clouds illuminates the San Francisco Peaks, as viewed from a field of wildflowers north of the mountains. Guy Schmickle

PEAKS

AMERICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE

American Conservation Experience is a nonprofit organization that recruits and trains volunteers to work on environmental restoration projects in America's national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands. Founded in Flagstaff in 2004, it has since expanded to bases in California, Utah, North Carolina and American Samoa. The work, however, takes place all across the United States. In all, ACE offers four programs. The largest, which is based on the conservation corps model, is open to young Americans ages 18 to 25 who are considering land management as a career path or a potential course of study. Corps members are supported during their threeto 12-month service terms with cost-of-living stipends, food on projects and free common housing on off days. More importantly, most members will have an opportunity to work side by side with professionals from the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other stewards of our national public lands.

For more information, call American Conservation Experience at 928-2666960 or visit www.usaconservation.org.