Our Values
Standing Up to Hate, Supporting the Palestinian Community
The Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their decades-long resistance against Israeli military occupation, which has restricted their right to self-determination and has created an ongoing state of fear, separation, forced exodus, colonial violence, and immense trauma. ESCC opposes all forms of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and strongly condemns acts of violence and injustice committed against innocent civilian populations. We ask for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the assault against innocent Palestinian populations. We call for an end to the occupation and demand liberation in all forms for Palestinian people.
Program Objectives
Access
ESCC aims to increase access to the outdoors by eliminating financial and social barriers that limit people from recreating or working in this industry. Our members are provided with nutritious meals, a space for living, transportation stipends, all necessary gear, access to scalable employment opportunities, trained leadership and mental health services as needed. Our approach for this goal is rooted in outreaching to and working with a broader range of socially disenfranchised groups such as LGBTQ people, BIPOC, women, and women of color.
Engagement
Our immersive wilderness programs offer diverse demographic groups the chance to strengthen their connection with nature. Through hands-on service-learning restoration work, participants actively engage in environmental stewardship while benefiting from enriching educational experiences. These programs cover a broad range of topics, including sustainability, botany, geology, natural history, trail maintenance, backpacking, and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Extension
ESCC is committed to ensuring our programs have long-term impacts and instill lifelong practices of leadership, stewardship, and appreciation in our participants. Our members not only bring back the knowledge and skill set acquired in the backcountry, but pass on their learning as they move forward into career positions and introduce their friends, family, and surrounding community members to this field, ultimately increasing the number of people who feel comfortable and welcome in public lands.
Social Justice Advocacy
ESCC believes that all people should have equitable access to the outdoors as well as culturally relevant and responsive educational programming about natural spaces. The heartbeat of our organization is anchored by the dream of a more just and fair future for everyone in wild and urban settings.
Having developed a specific focus on uplifting under-represented bodies and voices within our organization, we sustain our vision by resourcing, caring for, and empowering People with dignified employment, professional skill building, and intentional community building. Through these actions, we hope to cultivate an inspired and civically engaged community who is prepared to organize, create, and implement better ways of bringing humanity to a more harmonious and peaceful state.