Action Needed: Help Us Protect AmeriCorps and Environmental Education in Kansas

We Need Your Voice: Help Us Protect AmeriCorps and Environmental Education in Kansas

Action Steps

KACEE is proud to host AmeriCorps members at sites across Kansas, thanks to a grant from the Kansas Volunteer Commission. 

Our AmeriCorps Kansas eeCorps members are helping to address critical and chronic gaps in environmental education in our state: the lack of adequate funding and resources needed to serve our population.

AmeriCorps programs are evidence-based and evaluated for effectiveness, and studies show as much as a $34 return on investment (ROI) for every federal dollar invested, making the eeCorps program a worthwhile investment in Kansas communities across the state. 

The research is clear: when students are engaged in environmental education, their academic achievement, mental and physical health, and social-emotional skills all improve. Our AmeriCorps members are on the front lines of this work—delivering high-quality, hands-on environmental learning to thousands of students across Kansas.

In our first year, just three AmeriCorps members reached nearly 10,000 students through environmental education learning opportunities! That’s nearly 7 times more students than we initially projected. 

The impact we’ve seen so far has exceeded our expectations. In our first year, just three AmeriCorps members reached nearly 10,000 students through environmental education learning opportunities! That’s nearly 7 times more students than we initially projected. 

This year, we were able to expand our AmeriCorps program, placing six eeCorps members at sites across Kansas. In just six months, these members have already provided environmental education to over 7,500 students, putting them on track to reach a total of 15,000 students this year. That’s nearly 7 times more students than initially projected. 

Our dedicated and passionate eeCorps members spark curiosity, inspire action, and encourage young people to form lasting connections with nature and their communities, helping them develop their sense of purpose in the world.

These members aren’t just teaching science or leading nature hikes. They’re mentors, motivators, and change-makers who meet students exactly where they are, helping Kansas kids see themselves as part of something bigger. Our AmeriCorps members are talented and dedicated to the work they do, and already we’ve seen last year’s members go on to take jobs at zoos and museums in their communities, inspiring youth across the country!

These members aren’t just teaching science or leading nature hikes. They’re mentors, motivators, and change-makers who meet students exactly where they are, helping Kansas kids see themselves as part of something bigger.

But all of this inspiring progress is at risk.

Due to a significant number of AmeriCorps agency staff being placed on leave, critical national service programs—AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps Seniors, and our state commissions—could see funding canceled or delayed. This would have devastating consequences not only for our work in Kansas, but for vital programs across the country: disaster relief, support for veterans, meals for seniors, education initiatives, and more.

We need your voice. Today.

Our partners at Voices for National Service have made it easy to help. Here’s what you can do:

✅ Call your elected officials. Let them know that you support AmeriCorps and the life-changing work being done in Kansas and beyond. Use this script and instructions to make your call—flooding congressional offices with calls is critical in the next few days.

✅ Send a letter. After your call, take just one more minute to send a pre-written letter to your lawmakers using this form.

Time is short, and the stakes are high. Let’s stand up for service, for students, and for our communities.

We 💚 our AmeriCorps members. Help us protect their work and their future.