Building Leaders Outdoors: A Summer with the Mark Armijo Youth Conservation Corps

For many young people, summer is a break from school.

For the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew at Mark Armijo Academy, it's an opportunity to discover new skills, explore career pathways, and leave their community better than they found it.

Led by Nature Niños educator Davon Collins, this year's crew has spent the summer working on projects that stretch far beyond traditional conservation work. Every project has been designed to build confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership while introducing students to careers they may never have considered.

One of the crew's largest accomplishments has been helping develop Mark Armijo Academy's Campus Green Project. Students have worked alongside community partners to help transform their own campus into a greener, healthier place through tree planting, irrigation improvements, and outdoor learning spaces that will benefit future students for years to come.

The crew has also spent time at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, learning firsthand about habitat restoration, conservation, and the importance of protecting New Mexico's unique landscapes.

In Moriarty, students visited Trilogy Beef, where they learned about modern cattle ranching, land stewardship, agriculture, and the many careers that support New Mexico's rural communities. Experiences like these help students understand that conservation isn't one career—it's an entire network of professions working together to care for our natural resources.

Throughout the summer, the crew has also partnered with local neighborhood associations, contributing to projects that improve community spaces while building pride in the places they call home.

Alongside these hands-on experiences, students have participated in workforce development activities focused on resume writing, interviewing skills, professionalism, communication, and exploring career pathways in conservation, outdoor recreation, environmental education, public service, and skilled trades.

At Nature Niños, we believe the best classroom is often outside.

Every project becomes an opportunity to solve problems.

Every challenge becomes a leadership lesson.

Every partnership becomes a window into a future career.

Most importantly, every young person is reminded that they have something valuable to contribute to their community.

Watching this crew grow over the course of the summer has been inspiring. They've developed new skills, built lasting relationships, and demonstrated what is possible when young people are given meaningful work, trusted mentors, and opportunities to lead.

We can't wait to see where these experiences take them next.