At Taos Land Trust, summer begins with the energy and promise of young people stepping into leadership.

Our 2026 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), funded by the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps, is officially underway. This year, we are proud to welcome a team of 19 dedicated youth who will begin their season on June 1, supported by a group of Youth Leads who are already deep into an intensive, two-week leadership training.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Over the past week, these Youth Leads have been building a strong foundation in leadership skills and styles, practicing routine check-ins and debriefs, learning how to give constructive feedback, and developing tools to navigate conflict with care and clarity. They are also getting hands-on with daily stewardship responsibilities like moving goats between grazing areas and collaborating to map out weekly schedules and coordinate guest experts for the months ahead.

“This is my first leadership job, and I was a little nervous, but going through all these trainings I felt like I’ve learned a lot and realized I’m built for leadership. I may not have as much experience in the field as some of my other crew members, but I’m ready for it. The 4-7-1 model of leadership really helped me. It showed us 4 roles, 7 skills, 1 signature style. I really liked learning about my own leadership style and reflecting on my potential weaknesses.”
— Nikolai Fernandez, Forest Corps Lead

“I’ve had leadership positions before, but I’ve never been trained like this. I’m excited to have had this training and actually had some guidance for the first time instead of just going off on my own. I’m excited to put these new skills to use, especially how to communicate professionally in a way that creates a safe space. I’m looking forward to learning more about the community and developing more of a leadership role and building new skills and learning as much as I can.”
— Emma Peaslee, Stewardship Lead

YCC CREWS

This year, Taos Land Trust will operate two distinct YCC crews designed to meet youth where they are and support their growth.

Our Forest Corps will run five days a week through the fall, serving youth ages 16–25 who are ready to deepen their technical skills in forest management, trail work, and ecological monitoring. Working primarily at Rio Hondo Fishing Park and our El Salto site, this crew will focus on critical forest thinning and land stewardship projects while gaining advanced, college-level training and opportunities for independent leadership.

Our Park Corps will operate during the summer months, four days a week, and is open to youth ages 14 and up. Based primarily at Rio Fernando Park in the heart of Taos, this crew will receive hands-on, introductory training across conservation fields including vegetable production, animal stewardship, wildlife monitoring, ecology, forestry, and park infrastructure. With additional structure and individualized support, younger crew members are guided through meaningful, place-based learning experiences.

Together, both crews will come together weekly for shared training in sustainable agriculture, carpentry, ecological monitoring, and land restoration. These sessions connect youth with local experts and give them the chance to build real-world skills in a supportive environment.

PARTNERSHIPS

Our Youth Conservation Corps is strengthened by partnerships with organizations across our community, including the Rio Fernando de Taos Revitalization Collaborative, De La Tierra a la Cosecha, Amigos Bravos, Taos Historical Society, Southern Methodist University, Vigil y Romo Acequia, New Mexico State University, Talpa Community Center, and Shared Table.

As the season begins, we are inspired by the commitment, curiosity, and leadership already emerging within this year’s crew. We look forward to sharing their journey with you in the months ahead.

Thank You for Your Support

Your support makes this work possible. Donations help fund hands-on training, mentorship, and paid opportunities that empower the next generation of land stewards and leaders. If you believe in building a more resilient future for Taos, we invite you to give and be part of this growing impact.