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About Corps

“We're training tomorrow's leaders today. That’s the power of the corps movement. That’s why we’re here.” –Shawn Riggins, Director, Fresno Conservation Corps

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“CalRecycle's had a really long history of partnering with the local conservation corps. It's been a fantastic partnership.” – Howard Levenson, CalRecycle

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“My local corps has helped me a lot. They give me new experiences I never thought I could do. It's an amazing opportunity.” –Kimberly Munoz, Long Beach Conservation Corps

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The California Association of Local Conservation Corps (CALCC) is the association that represents California’s 14 state-certified community conservation corps, also known as local corps. CALCC’s mission is to advance the conservation corps movement by strengthening collaboration between California’s local corps, promoting their impact  and advocating on their behalf.

Every year, CALCC sponsors a Government Education Day, when corpsmembers from across the state convene in Sacramento to get to know each other and share their stories with state policymakers. Here are the video highlights from 2024.

30 Years of Supporting California

Youth Impact (FY 2020-21)

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS earned

CORPSMEMBERS transitioned to a job

 

 

CORPSMEMBERS transitioned to post-secondary or vocational education

 

 

 

30 Years of Supporting California

Environmental Impact (FY 2020-21)

Beverage Containers Collected & Recycled: 2,892,818 pounds

Trails, Roads, and Alleyways Cleaned & Restored: 3,409 miles

Waste Tires Collected & Recycled: 79,815

Habitat Restored: 7,991 acres

E-waste Collected & Recycled: 4,709,398 pounds

Litter Abatement: 15,973,277 pounds

WHO WE SERVE

3,000

Corpsmembers each year

34%

Female

66%

Male

90%

are living below poverty level

60%

have dropped out of high school

92%

of court-involved corpsmembers do not recidivate during their time in program

SUCCESS STORY

  • Jacob Cortez Greater Valley Conservation Corps

    “My local corps helps a lot with the community. It gives kids opportunities to get off of the streets and actually do something for themselves and their family. It helps them actually feel confident about themselves and gives them trades so they know, hey, I'm doing something with my life.”

    Hear more about Jacob’s experiences with his local corps in this interview recorded in Sacramento on CALCC’s Government Education Day, 2019.

     
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

  • Waterway Restoration & Graffiti Removal Orange County Conservation Corps Working with partners including Disneyland, Orange County Conservation Corps helped launch the “Adopt-a-Channel” Initiative to remove debris and graffiti from the county’s storm channels and urban waterways. During the pilot program phase, OCCC crews removed over 1,000 pounds of debris that otherwise would have been deposited into an important ecological reserve and also abated over 15,000 square feet of graffiti from a 2-mile length of the channel. Vandalism in that channel subsequently decreased by 90%, and the pilot program was so successful that it was adopted county-wide.
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TESTIMONIALS

  • At the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, we have a lot of need for land management and land restoration work. The San Jose Conservation Corps has helped us do a lot of fuel management...so that in the event of a fire the fire doesn’t climb up to the tree and start spreading from the tops of the canopies of the trees. Our staff are always excited when they have the opportunity to work with the San Jose Conservation Corps. They really bring in a lot of energy and there’s opportunity for the young adults to learn new skills. They are our next generation stewards.
    Ana RuizGeneral Manager, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
  • While I was working on various details, I realized what an integral part the Local Conservation Corps has become to the City of Fresno Waste Tire events over the last two years. Your organization has consistently provided quality work crews that are capable, enthusiastic and ready to get the job done. I have been impressed by their courtesy, professionalism, motivation and the seamless incorporation of your team members with our own and I cannot imagine an Amnesty event without the help of the Local Conservation Corps. I am looking forward to many more successful Waste Tire Amnesty Day events with the Local Conservation Corps.
    John OutfleetSenior Community Revitalization Specialist, City of Fresno
  • I would like to give a big compliment to the Urban Corps of San Diego County crews... Both supervisors and crews have been exceptional in performing and completing the tasks given to them and their crew supervision has been nothing but outstanding. Thank you again for providing Mission Trails Regional Park with outstanding field supervisors and crews.
    Melvyn NaidasPark Ranger, Mission Trails Regional Park
  • The Golden Hills Community Services District (District) is benefiting directly from the efforts of the Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD), who have secured a grant in the amount of $573, 203 to restore and fence a 165-acre nature park in the Golden Hills community.  Using local restoration crews, FIELD will install preventative barriers and restore areas of the park that have been affected by illegal off-highway vehicle use.  These efforts will assist the District in maintaining open meadows and a historic lake and seasonal stream that will enhance the quality of life for the Golden Hills community and visitors.  Thank you FIELD for the partnership opportunity!
    Susan WellsGeneral Manager, Golden Hills Community Services District
  • The Greater Valley Conservation Corps Corpsmembers and Staff have been an outstanding partner and have not only been instrumental in the joint cleanup efforts of our community but have also touched the hearts and lives of 90 Elderly, Disabled and Military Veterans who received free cleanup and junk removal during the 2019 San Joaquin County First District’s Free Dumpster Day events. 162 in total over the last 2 years have been helped who would of never been able to do it without the help of GVCC.
    Miguel VillapuduaFirst District Supervisor & Chairman, San Joaquin County
  • Did you know that Civicorps Recycling provides single stream collection services to over 1,200 businesses in Oakland, collecting 166 tons of recycling materials and 11 tons of E-waste every month? Recycling Interns who are on a pathway to become commercial truck drivers perform seven daily routes. Civicorps pays for all training hours on the road, behind-the-wheel training, and in the classroom. Once our Interns get their Class B commercial driver’s license, they’re eligible to transfer to Waste Management as a Teamster apprentice. We are so proud to announce that Santiago Galvez-Flores is the newest Recycling Intern promoted to an apprenticeship with WM.  After training with Civicorps for two years, Santi was selected for this highly competitive position.
    SantiagoCivicorps
  • Civicorps plays a deeply important role in the Bay Area’s conservation landscape. Their work with public agencies like EBRPD helps ensure our region’s precious open spaces, trails, and waterways remain beautiful, accessible, and environmentally sound. Through their dynamic job training program and rigorous high school diploma program, they are training the next generation of environmental stewards who will be on the forefront of protecting the Bay Area against the ravages of climate change. I am proud to advocate for Civicorps and the talented young people they serve.
    Senator Nancy Skinner
  • For 32 years, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps has been an indispensable partner. The Corps is turning passion into action and opportunity into lasting change in our communities.
    Eric GarcettiMayor of Los Angeles
  • For many years, the Orange County Conservation Corps has been a hard-working, reliable recycling partner in Irvine. The success of our program is due in large part to the dedication and commitments of the OCCC.
    Michael J. ByrneSr. Management Analyst, City of Irvine Community Services
  • We have had great success with past Sequoia Community Corps corpsmembers and we currently have an employee on staff that has been with us 7 years that came from SCC and now is our shop manager. Others have left but have gone on to working for other contractors and have found success through the process. One of our key installers also came from the Sequoia Community Corps.
    Chris TaylorGeneral Manager, The Glass Shop Commercial
  • The work you do for San Francisco is simply wonderful...giving young people with limited opportunities the chance to learn, thrive, and gain skills needed to enter the workforce really is essential for building our new economy in this century and providing a solid foundation for young people for the workforce.
    Senator Dianne Feinstein
  • The Sonoma RCD was very pleased with Conservation Corps North Bay’s work on our emergency fire restoration projects. We look forward to working with them again. The land has been greatly improved by the Corps.
    Aaron FairbrookProgram Manager, Sonoma Resource Conservation District
  • The young people of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach are vastly improving the Lower LA River Landscape through their tireless efforts and stewardship of the River.  At the same time they are improving their own lives, the lives of their families, and their community.
    Senator Lena Gonzalez (33rd District)

PARTNERS AND FRIENDS

OUR PROMISE TO CALIFORNIA

The local corps have been supporting young people and the environment in California for over thirty years. Though CALCC is not a state agency, the state sets criteria for and certifies our local corps based on rigorous criteria (Public Resources Code, section 14507.5) and the local corps’ work helps the state to meet its recycling, conservation, climate change, and other environmental goals.

Our workforce development and education pathways ensure that California’s young people remain at the forefront of innovation and opportunity. From the coastline to the deserts, urban centers to rural farmlands, Californians can count on us to keep California green and ensure that all young people – our greatest asset – have the opportunity to thrive.

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