Youth Ecology Corps

Youth Ecology Corps leverage public works investments with local workforce and social service dollars to provide youth with meaningful work experiences, as well as hands-on opportunities to explore careers in ecological and conservation-related fields.

Examples

Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps
The Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps provides youth and young adults with meaningful, paid work experience, environmental education, and the opportunity to explore careers and develop work-readiness skills. Youth contribute to their community while completing environmental and conservation-related projects or by working with local non-profit organizations.
Riverside Youth Ecology and Beautification Corps
The Riverside YEC project partners include the Eastern Municipal Water District, the California Family Life Center and the Riverside County Workforce Board. Though field work and internships, the program provides an introduction to careers in the water industry and guides interested candidates to formal education and work experiences that will help prepare them for future municipal job opportunities.
Portland Metro Youth Ecology Corps
The Metro YEC is a partnership between Metro Regional Government and Project YESS. Metro funds a portion of crew costs, and Metro Naturalists manage the project and schedule work projects with Metro scientists and park rangers. Project YESS is the employer of record, runs the youth crews on the ground, and provides wrap around services , GED support and work readiness training.

Start a Youth Ecology Corps in your area

To get started, simply contact New Ways to Work, the facilitating partner for the SCYEC, and they will work with the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board, and the Sonoma County Office of Education to help identify and connect you with potential partners in your area.

FactsheetLatest Evaluation

Related Resources

Go to the youth ecology corps section of our library.