Modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) of the Great Depression, Job Corps was launched in 1964 through President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty legislation. Job Corps provides real-world job training for low-income and at-risk youth, creating opportunities, instilling confidence, and fostering an underlining pride in community service. The program has trained over 2 million people since its inception.

Twenty-four of the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (JCCs) operate under the leadership of the USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), many of which are located on public lands.  The Forest Service partnered up with the Society of American Foresters and dedicated volunteer instructors to deliver the Conservation Education Program to Forest Service JCCs.

In 2024, six centers hosted a two-day, hands-on, outdoor conservation education experience for resident students. The first day introduces participating students to six natural resource management areas – timber, understory and range vegetation, fish and wildlife, water, recreation, and fire and fuels. The second day has students apply their new knowledge and skills yielding positive impacts toward the sustainability of the resources with field projects that help improve the community and the ecosystem.

During one recent field project held in Wisconsin, Blackwell JCC students guided by Trees for Tomorrow yielded over 300 hours of volunteer labor in a day eradicating an invasive species, which would have required months to complete under standard operations and staffing. A participating student shared that “getting outside and learning this stuff made me think I really like it and want a job at working in a job like firefighting in the woods.”

Under the Conservation Education Program model designed for the Forest Service Job Corps, students’ personal growth develops as they discover and recognize their own interconnections to interrelated natural resources including timber, rangelands, water, fish and wildlife. While working on the project near Weber Basin JCC in Utah, a student noted “Out here working on the new trail makes me feel like I am making a big difference.” It’s moments like this when students become inspired to recognize themselves as conservationists and consider a future career within the sector applying their learned trade or shifting to a conservation trade.

The program has been such a success that it is returning for 2025 to 23 centers throughout 17 states. The January issue of The Forestry Source will have a full article on the program and our conservation education we provide.

Connecting to post-covid communities

SAF is proud of the work and dedication of all involved in this program to ensure the forestry and natural resources profession remains thriving. We have long understood and convened the message that inspiring and engaging with youth and young adults is vital to the future of forestry and forests. By inspiring and engaging with youth and young adults who perhaps wouldn’t have considered a job in conservation – or even known it was a possibility –brings new generations into the fold. That means new ways of thinking, innovative ideas, greater representation, and longevity to the sector.

What’s incredible about the CCC program is the full wrap-around services with free training and housing for those who need it that are enrolled. Whether these bright and promising individuals came from low-income families or experienced an unfortunate background, all are welcome and uplifted through. It’s a place for all walks of life to feel represented and acknowledged. In support of continuing to connect with underserved and under-resourced communities post-COVID, SAF created a website to inform and inspire anyone 16-24 years old interested in conservation. The site enlightens the possibilities the program offers and includes a form that, once filled out and submitted, directs them to the Job Corps’ CCC site for further assistance.

Find the site at workinforestconservation.org.

Be inspired to be an inspiration

It’s not just for students, either. Counselors, community leaders, educators, and parents or guardians are encouraged to get involved. The first step could be sharing the Workinforestconservation.org website with qualified candidates to start the conversation. Exploring the information and filling out the form together is a great way to build excitement and support their dreams.

Another way is to volunteer your time at a CCC program as an educator. Information and training are provided to set you – and the students – up for success. If you or someone you know would make a great volunteer, the application form can be filled out here.

By being involved in this program, we (and you) are making a difference and an impact in young people’s lives and futures, influencing the future of the profession, giving back to local communities, and helping forests and the planet – all at the same time. Making this kind of impact wouldn’t be possible without strong relationships and mission-aligned partnerships like the one with USFS and Job Corps, or without the support of the sector.