What the Project Is
Cream City Conservation is a two-pronged social enterprise founded by August M Ball in 2016. At its heart, the project comprises two distinct but interlinked components: Cream City Consulting and the Cream City Conservation Corps (C4). Cream City Consulting provides people and culture educational programs to organizations, giving them tools and knowledge to foster inclusive workplaces and enriching environments. On the other hand, the C4 employs young adults from marginalized and underrepresented communities to restore and create resilient environments in underfunded public lands. From the inception of the organization, a significant portion of revenues was redirected to fund the conservation corps program that created jobs for hundreds of youth, empowering them through hands-on experience in environmental work and community enrichment. It is a dynamic approach that bridges environmental conservation with robust social impact.
Main Benefit
The project is celebrated for its triple bottom line approach (People + Planet + Profit) and has garnered several prestigious awards. Key figures and facts include:
- Founded in 2016 by August M Ball
- Employs hundreds of youth in conservation efforts
- Certified BCorp with a score of 131.2
- Awarded “Best For The World” in the Workers Impact area by BCorp
- Implements exemplary employee-friendly practices such as ownership opportunities, job flexibility, and fair-chance hiring policies
Diversity and Inclusion in Action
Diversity is not just about differences among individuals, but about understanding how these differences shape life experiences and influence the way the world interacts with its people. The project celebrates failures as opportunities to learn… creating an environment where it is safe to make mistakes and grow. By disrupting all forms of oppression and white supremacy culture, Cream City Conservation prioritizes those commonly excluded and marginalized, ensuring that every voice matters. The organization’s emphasis on creating an inclusive environment allows it to tackle deep-seated issues of equity and justice. This engagement with diversity—through authentic discussions and reflective practice—is a cornerstone of its ethos, ever mindful that an inclusive workforce is crucial for sustained environmental progress.
The Role of Environmental Consulting
In the realm of environmental consulting, the project stands out by preparing industries for future challenges through a triple bottom line approach. By offering educational programs that focus on people and culture, Cream City Consulting helps organizations understand how to integrate sustainability into every facet of their operations. The approach is informed by a legitimate understanding of environmental justice and a belief that one’s identity must never determine their ability to thrive. The consulting arm of the organization is dynamic, helping clients to not only transform their business practices but also contribute to conservation and community development simultaneously.
Empowering Youth and Building Resilient Communities
The Cream City Conservation Corps (C4) furthers the impact by providing tangible job opportunities for young adults from marginalized and underrepresented communities. By engaging youth in restoration and conservation projects, the organization builds a resilient workforce of emerging environmental and people leaders. The process involves hands-on learning and exposure to the real-world challenges of environmental conservation and public land restoration. Training provided through service-learning initiatives and human resources practices creates a path to meaningful workforce development. The program demonstrates that fostering environmental stewardship and job creation can go hand in hand to build enduring community strength.
Project Impact
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating job opportunities for young people in underrepresented communities.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Prioritizing inclusion and fair-chance hiring to disrupt inequitable social structures.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Actively contributing to mitigating climate change and promoting resilient environments.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Restoring and creating resilient environments on underfunded public lands.
Future Perspectives and Evolving Impact
As the world continues to evolve, so does the approach of Cream City Conservation. The combination of service-learning and practical training continues to reshape how conservation and workforce development intersect. Organizations that choose to work with Cream City Conservation support more than just a business model; they champion the cause of environmental justice, inclusion, and sustainable growth. The underlying philosophy of celebrating mistakes as part of the learning process allows the organization to maintain a fluid, conversational tone in its everyday work—almost like an ongoing dialogue with the communities it serves. This natural, engaging approach ensures that the environmental and social sectors remain agile and responsive to emerging challenges. Youth, diversity, and a commitment to green practices are not peripheral elements; they are the core, driving a future where conservation is both a practical endeavor and a passionate commitment to social equity.
