CCC Receiving National Award for Backcountry Trails Program

The California Conservation Corps will receive a 2025 Project of the Year Award from The Corps Network in recognition of its Backcountry Trails Program. The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, presents this prestigious award on an annual basis to select organizations from its membership of more than 150 corps across the United States. This year, three awardees were chosen through a competitive nomination and review process.

Project of the Year Awards are presented to corps that have undertaken especially impactful, inspiring, or innovative initiatives. Projects of the Year are noteworthy for their ability to provide both a positive experience for Corpsmembers and meaningful improvements to the community. CCC’s Backcountry Trails Program, in particular, demonstrates the growth and impact Corpsmembers can achieve while immersed for five and a half months in California’s remote wilderness.

CCC Backcountry Corpsmembers listen and learn while in the wilderness. Many join the program with no prior trails experience. Once enrolled they receive education and training.

“It was really an incredible experience,” said Backcountry Corpsmember Elliott Russell. “The isolation. But also, being tied at the hip with ten other people for the whole time. It was a really, really tight community that we built. I wasn’t really expecting how much our crew would be really in sync and close together. And that’s been a really fantastic experience and the work is really incredible.”

This past year, 92 Corpsmembers participated in CCC’s Backcountry Trails Program. Serving out of remote campsites across the state, crews hiked up to 20 miles a day, at elevations up to 13,000 feet, to perform critical projects improving, maintaining, and safeguarding delicate trail networks and their environment. This work included clearing logs, brushing, and rebuilding trails; clearing and digging drains; rerouting trails around fragile areas; repairing damaged meadows; building and repairing bridges; and building water bars, steps, rip rap, retaining walls and causeways out of rock or wood materials.

In addition to their daily trail work, Corpsmembers participated in training and educational classes four or more days per week. They also learned how to build healthy, inclusive communities centered around respect, consideration, and open mindedness. By the end of the season, participants gained a deeper understanding of conservation plus their own potential; 93% of program alumni from 1979-2021 surveyed say the BCTP changed their life for the better.

CCC Backcountry crews use a crosscut saw and wedge to cut and remove a fallen tree from a trail in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness.

“Projects of the Year demonstrate the power of national service programs to change communities and change lives. CCC’s Backcountry Trails Program shows the amazing outcomes possible when local organizations give young people a chance to serve and lead,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO of The Corps Network. “With this award, we recognize extraordinary individuals and programs from our network. Initiatives like the Backcountry Trails Program shed light on the vast capabilities of corps and show how corps programming can deliver meaningful results and comprehensive career development. The Corps Network is humbled to represent such inspiring and impactful organizations as the California Conservation Corps.”

The three winners of the Project of the Year Award will be honored at The Corps Network’s 40th annual national conference, taking place in Arlington, VA, from March 11 – 13, 2025. For more information, please visit The Corps Network’s conference website. Also visit CCC’s Backcountry Trails Program webpage, to learn more about the program and opportunities to enroll.