Governor Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed July 6-10, 2026, as "California Conservation Corps Week," honoring the organization's nearly 50-year legacy of youth service and environmental stewardship across the state. The proclamation celebrates the Corps' enduring commitment to protecting California's diverse landscapes and resources.
Since its establishment in 1976, the California Conservation Corps has engaged tens of thousands of young adults, who have contributed over 86 million hours of service. Their work spans critical areas including habitat restoration, forestry, wildland firefighting, trail maintenance, renewable energy, and emergency response, making a significant impact from redwoods to deserts.
The Corps also provides vital career pathways, offering opportunities to earn, learn, and build meaningful careers in fields such as firefighting, watershed stewardship, and environmental education. Furthermore, the Nature-Based Solutions Tribal Corps program supports California Native American tribes in forming their own corps, focusing on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and stewardship on ancestral lands.
As the nation's largest and longest-running conservation corps, the California Conservation Corps continues to serve as a model for similar programs nationwide and globally. Governor Newsom said the week honors "a legacy of hard work and commitment, of building connections and finding purpose through service to others."