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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. Listen to their stories here.

30 Years of Supporting California

Youth Impact (FY 2017-18)

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 2017-18)

Beverage Containers Collected & Recycled: 8,614,600 pounds

Trails, Roads, and Alleyways Cleaned & Restored: 998 miles

Waste Tires Collected & Recycled: 104,974 tires

Habitat Restored: 8,453 acres

E-waste Collected & Recycled: 4,456,453 pounds

Recycling Public Outreach & Education Events: 2,873 events

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

FIND YOUR LOCAL CORPS

SUCCESS STORY

  • Paola Flores San Jose Conservation Corps

    “Being a part of the San Jose Conservation Corps has flipped my whole life upside down. It feels really good to be able to work with the community and see that we're cleaning up the environment. A lot of people think that it’s a man's job but there are women out there, Crew Leaders even, getting the job done.”

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

See more stories

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

  • Climate Change Resiliency & Adaptation Conservation Corps North Bay and Civicorps To combat threats that are driving oysters to extinction, Conservation Corps North Bay and Civicorps partnered with the State Coastal Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on an innovative “nature-based adaptation” restoration project. Working alongside experts from Reef Innovations, a Florida-based group that has worked on similar projects in the past, our crews spent nine weeks fabricating oyster habitat structures that will be placed in the Giant Marsh area near Richmond. Our crew’s efforts were part of a larger project that adopts a “living shorelines” approach, with a focus on increasing habitat connectivity and shoreline protection.
See more projects

TESTIMONIALS

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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 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)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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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Get your diploma, earn money, gain skills, and make friends

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HIRE A CORPS

Support local youth, communities and conservation

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Stay informed about the issues and initiatives that matter to California

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Community Care: Responding to COVID-19

Local Corps Deployed

3/23/20: Governor Newsom is deploying CA’s local corps to support food banks and food distribution statewide. Watch for updates and stories of service on CALCC social:
For California’s statewide network of 14 Local Corps, the safety and security of our Corpsmembers is always our top priority. Along with that comes the responsibility of continuing to provide services while following the guidance of our public health officials. Community support is core to our mission. Our corps have resources, equipment, and hundreds of trained staff throughout the state ready to respond. We know our communities intimately and can assist partners to engage effectively. Many of our Local Corps are offering additional services at this time, including:
  • Water + Food Delivery
  • Language Translation & Communication
  • Traffic Control
  • Supply Delivery
  • Meal Creation for the Home-Bound or Quarantined
  • Janitorial/Disinfection
  • Inventory, Organization and Distribution
  • Logistical Support for Disease Testing Centers
  • Set-up/Tear-down for Emergency Centers
Local Corps are state-certified and able to contract directly via the California Emergency Services Act with the Office of Emergency Services (CA Gov Code Section 8585.8).

Let’s stay safe and get to work. Contact your local corps today.