Washington Conservation Corps

Contact: Nick Mott
Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Telephone: (360) 407-6946
Email: nmot461@ecy.wa.gov

State Website: www.ecy.wa.gov

Local Link: www.ecy.wa.gov/wcc

Participation: 200 participants were served by the Washington Conservation Corps between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

Who is Served: The program enrolls unemployed young adults between 18 and 25 years of age. (Age restrictions are based on legislative mandate; limited exceptions may be made for veterans, leadership positions, and participants with a sensory or mental disability.)

Program Description: Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) enhances the environment and helps young adults gain experience in the environmental field. The WCC Program has many objectives, including environmental restoration, emergency response, habitat enhancement, and recreational resource improvement.

Other Program Characteristics: WCC participants serve on crews that consist of five members and a crew supervisor. In addition, 18 participants serve as Individual Placements within environmental agencies or nonprofit organizations. The Washington Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps Program that offers Education Awards equivalent to the current value of the Pell Grant (amount determined annually, 2011 amount is $5,550) to Corps members who serve one year. The Department of Ecology coordinates WCC projects with federal, state, local, and nonprofit agencies.

New Partnership with Veterans: In the fall of 2011, the Washington Conservation Corps formed a partnership with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to create new opportunities for military veterans.  As WCC members, they help restore and protect Washington’s environment, provide environmental education and volunteer opportunities for thousands of residents of all ages, and assist citizens in Washington and across the nation during floods, fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Their transition from military to AmeriCorps service will enable veterans to continue serving their communities and country while gaining new skills in the environmental field.

Program History: WCC was established in 1983.

Planning Cycle: Every year.

Outcome Measures: WCC measures its success by the impact of the services it provides and by the work it accomplishes. Specific performance measures include:

• Miles of trail created or improved.
• Acres of public lands cleaned or improved.
• Hours of training provided to program participants.

Funding and Regional Division: WCC is a statewide program.

State Funding: $982,681 (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), Department of Ecology (includes Fiscal Note of $322,000 annually from DNR for program consolidation)

Federal Funding: $1,920,000

Statutory Authority: RCW 43.220