WAILUKU – Want to help your community and the environment, and earn a bi-weekly living allowance? Do you like being outside? Then apply to be an AmeriCorps member with Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO).

AmeriCorps is like the Peace Corps, but in America rather than abroad. With MEO’s program, interns serve right here on Maui.

The program is focused on environmental stewardship. That means interns serve with conservation agencies to malama ‘aina by removing invasive species, planting native plants and/or erecting and repairing predatory fence lines.

MEO is seeking anyone 17 or older with a high school diploma or GED to serve as an AmeriCorps member (intern) with the state Department of Land & Natural Resources Forestry, Natural Area Reserves, or Trails; Maui Invasive Species Committee; Maui Nui Botanical Gardens; or La’a Kea Farm for two, three or six months.

Positions are available until they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Most positions are 40 hours per week, but there are part-time positions as well.

AmeriCorps members will learn real-life conservation skills and be provided with ongoing training, a modest living allowance and a monetary education award upon successful completion of the program.

Serving with AmeriCorps is a great way to gain experience and skills, meet experts in the field and build your resume for a career in conservation.

For information, contact Lacey Abercrombie, AmeriCorps coordinator, at lacey.abercrombie@meoinc.org or 243-4324.

Go to Facebook and search for MEO AmeriCorps, or go to www.meoinc.org, click on Program Services, then Youth Services and then AmeriCorps.