LA Conservation Corps

The mission of the LA Conservation Corps is to provide at-risk young adults and school-aged youth with opportunities for success through job skills training, education and work experience with an emphasis on conservation and service projects that benefit the community.

In the 30 years since its inception, the LA Conservation Corps has planted over 90,000 trees, built more than 50 community gardens, and awarded over $2 million in scholarships.

Founded in 1986 by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor, the LA Conservation Corps has led the way toward the establishment of independent corps in every state in the nation and in the District of Columbia. 

Present-day conservation corps are modeled on the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps which provided meaningful environmental work to thousands of young men during one of our nation's most difficult periods. Today, these programs are offered to both young men and young women in urban communities. More than 26,000 young people are employed annually in a variety of LA Conservation Corps projects.

Selected Awards

Kodak American Greenway Award, 
The Corps' Network Project of the Year Award for Paddle the LA River, 2012
PEPNET (Promising and Effective Practices Network) Award for the National Youth Employment Coalition