The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) is seeking more than 250 recruits for its new service year beginning October 1. Operated by the Washington State Department of Ecology, the program offers young adults ages 18–25, along with military veterans of any age, the chance to gain hands-on environmental experience. Beyond conservation work, participants receive mentorship and professional networking opportunities, making the WCC a potential springboard for future careers.
According to Ecology's official blog, these young adults and veterans will get down and dirty with a variety of impactful environmental tasks. The Corps’ work ranges from removing invasive plants and restoring stream habitats to improving outdoor recreation areas and supporting scientific research, including salmon protection. Members also help lead environmental education programs and serve on the front lines of disaster response, tackling wildfires, floods, and other severe weather emergencies.
In a typical year, members plant some 400,000 trees and shrubs, improve 3,000 acres of habitat, and build and maintain over 400 miles of trails. During the 2024–25 service year, WCC field crews made significant progress in environmental restoration and recreation projects. They tackled invasive knotweed in the upper Skagit River basin, built erosion-resistant trails at Olympic National Park’s Ruby Beach, and cleared storm debris in King County after an unusual “bomb cyclone,” as per the Ecology’s blog.
The "WCC works with more than 100 partners every year, including cities, counties, Tribes, and nonprofit organizations who provide restoration- or recreation-based projects for our crews and Individual Placement members. Applications to partner with WCC during the 2026-27 service year will open this winter," the Washington State Department of Ecology stated.
