The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is now accepting applications for its 16th 
annual Earth 
Corps field studies program. A summary of the course is below, full details can 
be viewed 
here: https://www.rmfi.org/programs/earth-corps. 

Course Description: Earth Corps is a field studies program run by the Rocky 
Mountain Field 
Institute (RMFI) in partnership with the University of Colorado at Colorado 
Springs to 
provide motivated, environmentally conscious students the opportunity to live 
and learn in 
the incredible natural classroom of the Colorado wilderness. The program began 
in 2002 
and is designed to integrate key lessons in environmental studies with the 
completion of 
multiple critical environmental restoration projects. Earth Corps attracts 
exceptional 
students from across the nation to participate in this unique service learning 
opportunity.

In 2017, Earth Corps students will complete environmental restoration projects 
in Willow 
Lake Basin located at the base of Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak, two 
iconic 14’ers 
in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Students will gain field experience in 
restoration 
ecology through the completion of a highly technical trail reconstruction 
project. Visiting 
professors and industry experts will provide lectures in the field covering 
topics such as 
geomorphology, botany, hydrology, land/recreation management, environmental 
policy, 
ethics, and other aspects of environmental studies. Upon successful completion 
of the 
program, each student will receive 4 credit hours from the University of 
Colorado at 
Colorado Springs.

For the duration of the program, participants will live, work, and learn in a 
backcountry 
wildland environment, complete long hours of very demanding physical labor at 
altitudes of 
11,000-14,000+ feet, work effectively as a team, exercise the highest level of 
commitment 
and perseverance, and make enduring friendships. Students will develop key 
outdoor skills 
during the program and through their summits of Challenger Point (14,081 feet) 
and Kit 
Carson Peak (14,165 feet). Students will learn and practice outdoor leadership, 
Leave No 
Trace ethics, backcountry navigation, alpine mountaineering, and risk 
management skills. 
There are no course pre-requisites to participate in Earth Corps. Previous 
backcountry 
experience is preferred, but not required. Earth Corps is a very physical 
strenuous and 
participants must arrive in good physical condition.

Program Dates: July 14-August 12, 2017

Course Fee: There is a course fee of $1,500 to cover program costs including 
tuition, staff, 
and all project equipment, food, supplies, and course materials. What you get:
• All food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) for the duration of the program.
• All course materials including handouts, readings, daypack, and field 
notebook.
• Technical training in hands-on trail and restoration skills and techniques 
from industry 
experts.
• Academic lectures from experts in the field of botany, ecology, hydrology, 
public lands 
management, and more.
• Tuition costs through the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs 
(transferable to your 
university/college).
• Use of all project gear, supplies, and equipment including tents, helmets, 
and tools for 
the duration of the program.
• Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live, work, learn, and play for 30-days in 
a Colorado 
wilderness while gaining real-world experience, and making friendships and 
memories that 
will last forever.

To Apply: Visit http://www.rmfi.org/programs/earth-corps, or contact our office 
at 719-
471-7736 for more detailed information. RMFI accepts applications on a rolling 
basis and 
will review applications immediately upon receiving them. Acceptance into the 
program is 
competitive, based on application and interview process. RMFI will select 10 
students to 
participate. Upon receiving an application, RMFI staff will contact prospective 
students to 
arrange an interview.

A complete application includes:
• Completed RMFI Program Application form and $25 application fee (instructions 
on 
website)
• Cover letter detailing interest in program and qualifications
• Current resume
Application Deadline: Final deadline is April 28, 2017. Participants will be 
announced on a 
rolling basis. Email completed application to r...@rmfi.org. Please submit all 
application 
materials at once.

About RMFI: The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 
environmental 
stewardship organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. RMFI is dedicated 
to the 
conservation and stewardship of public lands in Southern Colorado through 
volunteer-
based trail and restoration projects, environmental education, and restoration 
research. 
RMFI is committed to protecting and enhancing the ecological health of our land 
and water 
resources by completing projects focused on watershed restoration, forest 
health, and 
creating sustainable recreation access. By prioritizing the involvement of 
community 
volunteers and youth, RMFI envisions a world where our work fosters vibrant and 
healthy 
natural systems that are respected and cared for by the public. For more 
information, 
please visit www.rmfi.org.

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