Natural Resource Conservation is at the heart of what we do. Since our inception in 1976, the CCC has put in nearly 75 million hours of natural resource work throughout the state.
The CCC is hired by agencies and institutions across California to carry out projects that improve and protect the environment.
Our Corpsmembers provide a cost-effective and trained labor force to tackle these projects that otherwise would often be financially infeasible.
Here’s some of what the CCC has accomplished over the years:
- Trees – 25 million trees have been planted by Corpsmembers throughout the state
- Fish Habitat – 1.6 million+ hours of fish habitat improvement work
- Trails – 621 miles of backcountry trails built or maintained in California national parks and forests, with many more miles for trails in city, regional and state parks
- Parks – 11 million hours of improving rural and urban parks and recreation areas
- Energy Conservation – Thousands of fixtures in schools, libraries, courthouses and government buildings retrofitted with more energy efficient lighting
Invasive Species Removal
Removing invasive species of plants is difficult and physically challenging work the CCC Corpsmembers frequently take on. It fits to the tee our motto of Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions and More. The more? A huge protective shot in the arm for California’s creeks, streams and hillsides.
Public Service Conservation Work
Public service conversation work can take place in the most urban settings or in a county’s most remote backcountry. Corpsmembers tackle everything from building a neighborhood dog park to crushing boulders to restore a desert hiking trail.
Riparian and Watershed Restoration
Corpsmembers move huge logs blocking streams, build fish habitats, and snorkel in creeks to find ways to increase California’s populations of salmon and steelhead. The benefits are tremendous not just for fish populations, but for fishermen, Corpsmembers and California’s economy.
Statewide Trails Program
Trail construction and maintenance have been fundamental projects of the California Conservation Corps since the Corps was formed.
