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CCC 50th Anniversary

nature photo of trees, rocks, and a waterfall
It’s Our Golden Anniversary!
Join us as we celebrate 50 years of transforming lives!
CCC 50th Logo

Join us across California as we celebrate 50 years of service supporting young adults, enhancing our communities, and conserving our natural resources!

Anniversary Events

Golden State Bus Tour

For 50 years the California Conservation Corps has shaped all corners of California, making a difference in communities. Join us at one or more bus stops where we’ll highlight our agency’s legacy of project work and commitment to service.

June 16, 2026 - San Diego

Date: Tuesday, June 16
Time: TBD
Event Location: Balboa Park in San Diego, CA

Join the California Conservation Corps in Balboa Park to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you want to join, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

SAN DIEGO- CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

June 18, 2026 - Los Angeles

Date: Thursday, June 18
Time: TBD
Event Location: Chaney Trail in the Loma Alta Park area in Altadena, CA

Join the California Conservation Corps in Altadena to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you want to join, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

LOS ANGELES- CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

 

June 23, 2026 - Fresno County

Date: Tuesday, June 23
Time: TBD
Event Location: Kings River Overlook Gazebo at Reedley College

Join the California Conservation Corps in Reedley to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you want to join, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

FRESNO COUNTY – CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

June 25, 2026 - Monterey County

Date: Thursday, June 25
Time: TBD
Event Location: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel-by-the-Sea in Monterey County

Join the California Conservation Corps at Point Lobos to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you want to join us, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

MONTEREY COUNTY – CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

June 29, 2026 - East Bay

Date: Monday, June 29
Time: TBD
Event Location: TBD

Join the California Conservation Corps in the East Bay to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you want to join, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

SAN DIEGO- CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

July 1, 2026 - Chico

Date: Wednesday, July 1
Time: TBD
Event Location: Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve near Chico California

Join the California Conservation Corps in Chico to kick-off the CCC’s Golden Anniversary! For 50 years the CCC has served our neighbors and communities by protecting our natural resources and training and empowering young adults. We will highlight the CCC’s legacy of project work and commitment.

If you would be interested in joining us at the event, please complete our interest form. We will follow-up with event details in the weeks before the event! If you have any questions, please contact us at CCCnews@ccc.ca.gov

CHICO – CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

July 7, 2026 - Sacramento

Date: Wednesday, July 7
Time: TBD
Event Location: CNRA Headquarters located at 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Celebrate 50 years of service with California Conservation Corps staff and Corpsmembers! This event at the CNRA auditorium will have limited seating for alumni, partners, and the general public.

Anyone interested in joining should complete our interest form. On June 1, 2026, the CCC will distribute a ticketing link to those on the interest list. Tickets for the auditorium events may be reserved on a first come, first serve basis – with a maximum of two tickets reserved per person.

Outside of the ticketed event, Corpsmembers and staff will put on demonstrations through the CNRA lobby and exterior north corridor. Additionally, a pop-up exhibit highlighting the CCC’s 50 years of service will be open to the public on the second floor of the CNRA building.

SACRAMENTO – CCC EVENT INTEREST FORM

San Diego

Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego is a stunning, protected stretch of coastline known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs,, swimming, surfing, and hiking trails within the adjacent Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It is open daily during daylight hours for beach activities, fishing, and tide-pooling.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles State Historic Park, also known as LA Historic Park and the Cornfield, is a California State Park located near the Chinatown and Elysian Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The former rail yard and brownfield consists of a long open space between Spring Street and the tracks of the Los Angeles Metro A Line

Fresno

The Kings River Park is utilized by the Tulare County Sherriff’s Office for grazing cattle. This benefits the herd by providing good grazing land while benefiting the park by keeping the grass from growing too high requiring additional maintenance.

Monterey

Point Lobos and the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a state park in Central California, on the Pacific Coast between the Carmel highlands and Big Sur. Adjoining Point Lobos is “one of the richest marine habitats in California”.

Stockton

Parks are open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset each day. Exceptions include lighted, rented playing fields. (Stockton Municipal Code 12.56.020) All dogs must be on a leash at all times in all city parks (Stockton Municipal Code 6.04.120) Exceptions include dog parks at Barkleyville, Faklis, and Weston.

Chico

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) is located on the ancestral land of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe. The BCCER is under the direction of Chico State Enterprises. The mission of the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is to preserve and steward critical habitat and to provide a natural area for environmental research and education.

Sacramento

Officially opened in fall 2021, the new California Natural Resources Headquarters at 715 P Street boasts an array of new amenities for both workers and partners to our work to enjoy. The space includes a public auditorium (capacity of 300), indoor bicycle and scooter storage, and indoor and outdoor gathering locations throughout. Further, opening soon is a multi-option food court, fitness center, and child-care facility. The building includes many elements that connect its visitors to nature. Recycled and salvaged wood from the Paradise Fire are featured along the building’s entry walls. The building’s silhouette mimics rock formations found around California, and spaces between columns in the building produce images of naturally formed slot canyons. These elements and more are summarized in a large quote above the front concierge by Gary Snyder: “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”
San Diego Save the Date

CCC 50th Celebration Exposition – July 7, 2026

Time: TBD
Meetup Location: CNRA Headquarters – 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Celebrate 50 years of service with California Conservation Corps staff and Corpsmembers! This event at the CNRA auditorium will have limited seating for alumni, partners, and the general public.

Anyone interested in joining should complete our interest form. On June 1, 2026, the CCC will distribute a ticketing link to those on the interest list. Tickets for the auditorium events may be reserved on a first come, first serve basis – with a maximum of two tickets reserved per person.

Outside of the ticketed event, Corpsmembers and staff will put on demonstrations through the CNRA lobby and exterior north corridor. Additionally, a pop-up exhibit highlighting the CCC’s 50 years of service will be open to the public on the second floor of the CNRA building.

Sacramento - CCC Event Interest Form

Alum Reflections

Memories from CCC Alums

As we gear up to celebrate five decades of the CCC, enjoy these stories of success, memories, and more. Feeling inspired? Share your own CCC story with us!

Share Your Story

1977 had an active fire season. Our crew SLO #1 lead by C1 Frank Garcia, and CDF Crew Foreman John Renstrom deployed to two major fires that season: the Pondosa Fire in Lassen NF & Marble Cone Fire in Los Padres NF. That’s where I caught the fire bug!… I retired from CAL FIRE CZU as a Fire Captain in 2015.

5
Stuart Carlson
Stuart Carlson
1977 Alum
San Luis Obispo

My favorite memory was when I was at San Gabriel Canyon – on the weekends I would camp out on the ridge just above the center. My favorite project was working at the LA Arboretum near the Fantasy Island House and having lunch at the lagoon. I wish that every young person would go into the CCC. It would teach them a skill (for life).

5
Heather Lovatt
Heather Lovatt
1979 & 1984 Alum
San Gabriel Canyon San Diego & Placer

I am from the Canadian exchange program – Katimavik of 1985. In the CCC, I responded to flooding in the Delta. After finishing the program, where I met my future husband, I moved back to California and have lived here ever since. I raised my son here, who also went into the CCC in 2018 at Fortuna.

5
Hilda Giacolini
Hilda Giacolini
1985-86 Alum
Delta Center

The best thing that I got out of CCC was the ability to structure and prioritize projects which allowed me to move on and open my businesses. The CCC is a place to learn how to get along with eachother, work as team members, and develop the structure and discipline that’s needed for handling life‘s curveballs and daily living.

5
James Guyette
James Guyette
1985-87 Alum
Santa Clara Center

At the Santa Clara Center, I was on a fire crew and worked with the City of Fremont to make a park ADA accessible – we laid about 1/4 mile of concrete walkways for wheelchairs. In the CCC, I learned to work hard and take personal accountability for my work. For those in the program, I hope you learn to challenge yourself!

5
Jayme Pittroff
Jayme Pittroff
1986-87 Alum
Santa Clara Center

Photos from CCC Alums

CCC Vehicle

Ready to Roll

A CCC vehicle is parked at center, ready to take Corpsmembers to projacts across the community. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Heather Lovatt.
Santa Clara Fire Crew 1

Santa Clara Fire Crew 1

Corpsmembers from the Santa Clara Center pose in front of their crew bus. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Jayme Pittroff.
Corpsmembers rest in the shade

A Day in the Life

CCC Corpsmembers rest in the shade away from the hot sun. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Hector Jimenez.
Backcountry landscape in Kings Canyon.

Kings Canyon Scenery

Backcountry scene in Kings Canyon. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Jeffery Davis.
Corpsmembers enjoy time in the recreation room.

Down Time

Corpsmembers enjoy a variety of activities in their recreation room. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Sean Gephart.
Tami Skaggs pses at a scenic overlook in Yosemite.

Backcountry Views

Backcountry alum Tami Skaggs poses at a scenic overlook in Yosemite National Park. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Tami Skaggs.
Ismael Delosangeles receives an award.

A Moment To Remember

Ismael Delosangeles receives the 1998 Corpsmember of the Year Award. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Ismael Delosangeles.
Fire crew Corpsmembers relax in the shade.

Relief From the Heat

Corpsmembers on a fire crew relax in the shade. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Jonathan Escobar.
Corpsmembers make progress constructing a rock wall.

Building Up

Corpsmembers make progress constructing a rock wall. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Daisy Garcia.
Corpsmembers use McLeods to cut a path into a hillside.

At the Cutting Edge

Corpsmembers use McLeods to cut a path into a hillside. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Tommy Viat.
Corpsmembers wearing masks during the COVID Pandemic.

Pandemic Support

Corpsmembers rally together to help communities durnig the COVID Pandemic. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Lisa Gonzalez.
Erick Gonzalez makes a face cut into a tree using a chainsaw.

A Cut Above

Corpsmember Erick Gonzalez makes a face cut into a tree using a chainsaw.. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Erick Gonzalez.
Corpsmembers hike with project gear.

All Geared Up

Corpsmembers hike with their CCC packs and tools, ready to make an impact. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Marisabel Murillo.
Crew lead Jett Reeves smiles as his crew burns piles to reduce fuel for wildfires.

Burning With Purpose

Crew lead Jett Reeves smiles as his crew burns piles to reduce fuel for wildfires. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Jett Reeves.
Corpsmember Steven Banuelos poses at the top of a peak in the Yosemite Backcountry.

A Peak CCC Experience

Corpsmember Steven Banuelos poses at the top of a peak in the Yosemite during a weekend excoursion in the backcountry. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Steven Banuelos.
A CCC Crew poses in front of a helicopter.

Lift Off

A CCC crew poses in front of a helicopter. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Matthew Todd.
Watershed protection installed after the 2025 LA Fires.

Community Support

Watershed protection installed after the 2025 LA Fires. Photo submitted by CCC Alum Jayden Gallegos.

Read CCC News

Read and watch the latest news from the CCC Communications & Outreach unit! Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date on all the incredible stories coming from the field.

View Stories from the Field

Explore Our Story

The California Conservation Corps has a long legacy, serving the people of California. Learn more about our history, Corpsmembers, staff, and mission.

Learn More About Us

Continue the Legacy

CCC Good Luck - Jerry Brown

A New Agency

On July 7, 1976 Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation establishing the California Conservation Corps.

1976
Staff set up Camp Radford

Building Momentum

The CCC builds 18 centers in 18 months across California.

1977

Robert Burkhardt

1976-79 CCC Staff

I remember setting up the first training center, Camp Radford, in the winter of 1976-77. There was no heat, outdoor showers (at 6000′ elevation), and a pioneer spirit. We helped create a “can do” mentality.

^
Corpsmembers dig a hole with a shovel in SLO.

The Work Begins

Corpsmembers in San Luis Obipso start their terms of service, completing a variety of projects in the community.

1977

Stuart Carlson

1977 Alum, San Luis Obispo

1977 had an active fire season. Our crew SLO #1 lead by C1 Frank Garcia, and CDF Crew Foreman John Renstrom deployed to two major fires that season. That’s where I caught the fire bug!

1977
Staff set up Camp Radford

An Iconic Motto

Under CCC Director BT Collins, the agency adopts the motto “Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions.”

1979
Staff set up Camp Radford

Into the Backcountry

Young adults get the opportunity to camp and complete trails projects in California’s remote wilderness areas.

1979