National Parks, National Forests,
Wildlife Refuges, wilderness areas and other public lands throughout
the United States are imperiled by a combination of dynamics that
threaten habitat, endanger vital ecosystems, and compromise the
non-negotiable right of the next generation to explore the natural
world. While population growth leads to habitat loss, sacrifice of open
space, and acute pressure on native wildlife and plant species,
America’s land managers face a chronic shortfall of funding to restore
our nation’s most treasured lands.

A popular ethic of service and volunteerism is sweeping through the
nation and the world. American citizens are eager to support the cause of environmental
conservation, representing a virtually unlimited labor force that
properly harnessed, coordinated, and supported, has the potential to
revolutionize the capacity of America’s land managers to accomplish
restoration work on a scale never before envisioned. However, the
national infrastructure to support and manage this unprecedented wave of
volunteer dedication has not been fully developed. ACE is committed to
capturing this growing worldwide spirit of service by providing the
professional level of coordination, training, and supervision necessary
to translate idealism into accomplishment for the benefit of America’s
National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and other protected lands.