The Youth Conservation Corps has provided healthy outdoor work and experiential learning opportunities for hundreds of youth in San Juan County since 2007. YCC crew members solve ecological problems throughout the islands each year, gaining insight, accountability, career skills and a conservation ethic that lasts a lifetime. ​But YCC needs your support for long lasting financial stability. Please watch this fun video from our 2024 summer season and consider a donation to our YCC fund through the San Juan Island Community Foundation. 

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What do students gain from YCC? 

Whether interested in the summer program, or one of our year-round offerings, YCC is an excellent resource for kids and families living in the San Juan Islands. The YCC is an opportunity for youth to not only spend time outdoors learning about local conservation and stewardship efforts, but actually improving wilderness areas and public lands across the islands. Our program is dedicated to establishing an ethic of care and stewardship among youth while also providing mentorship and professional development training from local environmental professionals.

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By the end of each season every crew member develops a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing not only that they have experience personal growth, but that they have made valuable  contributions  to their community and the environment. Students receive a financial stipend at the season to celebrate and thank them for their hard work.

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​​​​​​​​​Youth Conservation Corps Winter Program

The Youth Conservation Corps is launching a YCC Winter Program to empower young people to protect our island home. We're teaming up with local environmental organizations like Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, San Juan Preservation Trust, and San Juan County Conservation Land Bank to create a 10-day program for 10 passionate individuals aged 12-18.

From Febuary to May 2025, crew members will dedicate two Saturdays a month to hands-on projects that enhance wildfire preparedness, restore forest health, and protect wildlife habitat. Beyond practical skills, our program fosters environmental education, teamwork, and a deep connection to our community.

Thank you for your support of this program through the 2024 SJI Cares County Fair Program! We are so appreciative. Program details will be announced in December 2024. 

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​​​​​​​​​Youth Conservation Corps Summer Program

​Youth crew members will work closely with program staff, conservation professionals, and partner education programs on stewardship/restoration projects, inquiry-based experiential outdoor education, and professional development. In doing so, YCC members gain applied job skills and training that can help propel them into their future.​

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The program looks to provide a range of skills and knowledge for crew members that includes weekly educational themes during the summer program:

• Team building & anti-bullying (training week)

• Sense of place

• Wilderness skills

• Land management ethics

• Marine ecosystems & nearshore environments

• Endangered species preservation

• Forest health & fire ecology

• Art & environmental awareness ​

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Daily activities can include: forest stand mapping, Traditional Ecological Knowledge of native plants, wildfire risk reduction, wetland and riparian zone recovery, invasive species removal, citizen science, and trail building/brushing.​​​