Earth Conservation Corps, an innovative rewilding non-profit that  empowers youth from stressed communities through service learning, habitat restoration, and environmental education announced today that former D.C. State Board of Education President, Jessica Sutter will serve as its new Executive Director.

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Since its creation in the George H. Bush White House, the Earth Conservation Corps volunteers have galvanized and led the movement that has transformed America's most polluted river, the Anacostia, into the now swimmable blue heart of our city. Today, Earth Conservation Corps partners with city, federal, non-profit, philanthropic and corporate leadership to train youth in wildlife monitoring, raptor education and rewilding of degraded habitats, along the Anacostia River and Chesapeake Bay Watersheds.

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Earth Conservation Corps Co Chair, Bob Nixon, said, “Jessica Sutter is an energetic leader with deep experience in educating and engaging youth in giving back to their communities while forging a path toward a promising future. Jessica is a teacher, researcher, public servant, and adviser to many nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. I am confident Earth Conservation Corps has found the ideal leader to unleash the talents of our youth to improve our communities and their own lives.” In her new role, Sutter will oversee all aspects of conservation and education programs of Earth Conservation Corps and will work to grow, support and deepen relationships with local agencies, public schools, funders, and partner organizations in Washington, DC and throughout the Anacostia River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.

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“I am thrilled to be joining the dedicated staff and board team at Earth Conservation Corps,” said Sutter.  “Working with young people to help them ensure that they, their river, and all the living things which call the Anacostia home have what they need to thrive long into the future is truly an honor. I look forward to building out our Earth Conservation Corps education ecosystem to serve many more DC youth in the years ahead.”

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Sutter previously served as Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. From 2019-2022 she proudly served as the Ward 6 Representative on the D.C. State Board of Education, concluding her tenure as President. She began her career as a middle school teacher. Sutter holds a BA from Loyola College in Maryland and an MA and PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park.

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Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President & CEO of The Corps Network, stated, “The Earth Conservation Corps is a valued partner in the conservation and climate change movement across the United States. Jessica will bring energy and talent to this critical leadership post at a time when cultivating the next generation of leaders to become stewards of our environment is crucial.” Earth Conservation Corps is the signature conservation corps program in the nation’s capital of The Corps Network, an alliance of 130 conservation corps across the United States working to address climate change, improve the quality of rivers and parks, and foster the conservation leaders of the future.

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Earth Conservation Corps Co-Chair John Bridgeland, who served as the nation’s national service czar after 9/11 under President George W. Bush, and Board Member Megan Smith, who served as the Chief Technology Officer under President Barack Obama, jointly stated, “Jessica is a leader whose service at the Earth Conservation Corps comes at a critical time for the DC region and our country. More young people living in stressed communities will have the opportunity to rewild the river, restore surrounding habitats, learn about birds and other wildlife that depend upon a clean environment, while educating students and community members throughout the region. In the process, the service experience will build the very skills young people need to thrive into the future and help heal a divided nation.”