Spotlight
National Park Service
In may, the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation received a 5 year servicewide master agreement from the National Park Service that all 14 Local Conservation Corps can utilize. Since its receipt, the Foundation has set up their internal processes and put together marketing materials for Corps to connect with the Local Parks for opportunities to work together.
The agreement allows Local Corps to enter into agreements with their Local Corps to complete natural and cultural resource conservation projects. This is exciting news to help build and develop new relationships and increase existing relationships between NPS units and Local Corps. Partnerships with National Park Service will also support Local Corps and their Corpsmembers with access to new opportunities, paid work experience, access to public parks and potentially open job opportunities.
California Invasive Plant Council
Thanks to of a generous grant from the Hearst Foundation, the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation is partnering with the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) to train Corps staff from all 14 Corps locations across the state in the principles of land stewardship.
Corps staff will build their ability to teach these principles to Corpsmembers. Over time, this education could reach thousands of Corpsmembers as California seeks a larger and more diverse stewardship workforce.
Constance Taylor, Conservation Specialist for Cal-IPC, commented that "Cal-IPC is thrilled for this opportunity to build California's green workforce, improve conservation project outcomes, and keep these emerging professionals in the conservation field as they build an understanding of the positive impact their work has."
CalFire Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLCCF Receives $3.4 Million Grant from CalFire for Statewide Training and Job Placement Project
September 10, 2024
Contact: Samantha Samuelsen
California Local Conservation Corps Foundation
Email: info@LocalCorpsFoundation.org
Phone: 310-597-4570
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – The California Local Conservation Corps Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $3.4 million grant from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). This funding will support the “Statewide Local Training, Resilience, and Job Placement” project, which aims to enhance training, resilience, and job placement opportunities for Corpsmembers across California.
With this grant, California’s Local Corps will be able to train over 300 Corpsmembers and 40 supervisors. The comprehensive program will offer job placement services, resume building, and interview preparation for positions such as forestry technicians and seasonal firefighters.
This initiative is designed to equip corpsmembers with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue rewarding careers in forestry and fire protection.
"We are incredibly grateful to CalFire for their support of our 'Statewide Local Training, Resilience, and Job Placement' project," said Bruce Saito, Executive Director of the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation. "This grant will significantly enhance our ability to train and prepare Corpsmembers for essential roles in forestry and fire protection, contributing to the safety and resilience of our communities."
"CalFire is proud to support the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation in their mission to train the next generation of forestry technicians and seasonal firefighters," said Justin Britton, CalFire Forester II and Grant Manager. "This initiative aligns with our commitment to workforce development and community resilience, ensuring that we have well-trained individuals ready to protect our forests and respond to fire emergencies."
The California Local Conservation Corps Foundation is dedicated to providing young adults with opportunities for education, employment, and a path to joining the green economy. This grant from CalFire marks a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to create a skilled and resilient workforce to mitigate climate risk and ensure a safer environment for all Californians.
For more information about the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation and the “Statewide Local Training, Resilience, and Job Placement” project, please contact us at info@LocalCorpsFoundation.org.
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Walter S. Johnson Foundation Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walter S. Johnson Foundation Generously Awards CLCCF Funds to Drive Impact
September 10, 2024
Contact: Samantha Samuelsen
California Local Conservation Corps Foundation
Email: Info@LocalCorpsFoundation.org
Phone: (310) 597-4570
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – The California Local Conservation Corps Foundation (CLCCF) has received a generous grant of $100,000 from The Walter S. Johnson Foundation (Foundation). This significant contribution enables CLCCF to achieve its vision and goals through enhanced marketing and communication activities, the creation of a robust data collection system, and support of fund development and program management efforts.
The Walter S. Johnson Foundation is focused on helping youth and young adults (ages 14 - 26) succeed in adulthood with a focus on college pathways for foster youth, reforming systems, and expanding employment and career opportunities.
“We have been long-term supporters of the Local Corps and seeding the Foundation allows us to help all 14 Corps to continue to positively impact young lives and help preserve our precious natural resources, like safe drinking water and clean air,” said Yali Lincroft, Program Director with the Walter S. Johnson Foundation. “This grant enables a swift ramp up to expand their statewide impact.”
The Foundation’s generous contribution enables CLCCF to expand its impact by supporting California's Local Conservation Corps (Local Corps) work to protect our environment and transform lives. This investment will ensure availability of necessary tools and resources for Local Corps to communicate their mission, measure outcomes, and secure additional funding for vital programs.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Walter S. Johnson Foundation for their generous support," said Bruce Saito, Executive Director of the CLCCF. "This grant will allow us to strengthen our infrastructure and support the local corps in their efforts to make a positive environmental impact while providing life-changing opportunities for young people across California."
For more information about the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation and its programs, please visit www.LocalCorpsFoundation.org or contact Info@localcorpsfoundation.org.
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The California Local Conservation Corps Foundation’s mission is to help educate and train the next generation of environmental stewards by increasing investments to strengthen and grow the Local Conservation Corps movement. With a network of 14 community-based organizations across the state, the Corps provide young adults (ages 18-26) with paid on-the-job training, career, and educational pathways while conserving the environment and giving back to the communities they serve.
The Walter S. Johnson Foundation assists transition-aged foster and other vulnerable youth in Northern California and Nevada to become successful adults by promoting positive change to the policies and systems that serve them and supporting high-impact and promising practices in the following areas: provision of supportive services, and promotion of success in secondary education and career.
re:wild Grant
The Local Conservation Corps Foundation is pleased to share that we secured funding through the Re:wild organization for our alumni support program.
Re:wild is an organization that brings people from around the world together to protect and restore nature, founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and a team of renowned scientists, The organization is dedicated to rewilding the planet, because restoring wildlife and ecosystems is our first line of defense against emerging diseases and climate chaos, and ensures access to clean air, water, and an abundance of food and medicines.
This program will support 50 Corpsmembers throughout the state in taking their next steps toward conservation or climate-related higher education & career opportunities. The funds cover corpsmember training, preparation, one-on-one career guidance, as well as administrative costs.