Calling all island youth passionate about the natural world! San Juan Islands Conservation District is excited to announce applications are open for the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) summer program. The 8-week program runs from June 17 to Aug. 18. Fifteen crew members (ages 12-18) are accepted into the program each year, led by two adult crew leaders per island on Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Island.

YCC has cultivated a stewardship ethic for hundreds of local youth since its inception in 2007. The program provides a win-win summer activity for families – the no-cost program provides a unique combination of outdoor adventure, education, and real job experience (including a paycheck at the end of the season!). Crew members work alongside program staff, conservation professionals, and partner organizations on various projects, including trail-building, habitat restoration, invasive plant removal, data collection, and beach clean-ups.

This summer, crews will work on two new citizen science projects focused on climate data collection in collaboration with San Juan Preservation Trust and invasive plant mapping on San Juan Islands National Monument lands with Bureau of Land Management and KWIAHT. Each YCC crew will also participate in a special stewardship project with The Nature Conservancy, including an overnight camping trip to Yellow Island! If you, or someone you know, is an islander between the ages of 12-18 with a passion for the outdoors and interested in giving back to the environment and the community, YCC is a great opportunity. We encourage all who are interested to apply.

In addition to crew members, applications are being accepted for a YCC Crew Leader based on Orcas Island. The position of crew leader is an excellent way to support local youth in meaningful conservation work.

To learn more about the program and apply, visit sanjuanislandscd.org/ycc, or email Mike Rosekrans, YCC Program Coordinator, at mike@sjicd.org.