The California Conservation Corps is facing possible extinction under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most recent budget plan, which proposes nixing the 33-year-old program to help relieve the state’s $42 billion deficit. The cut could save the state as much as $17 million, according to estimates from the Capitol.
If approved, the cut would force dozens of Corps programs—including a satellite office in Santa Maria and a resident camp in San Luis Obispo—to shut their doors.
The California Conservation Corps is the oldest and largest conservation corps in the nation. Modeled after the original federal Civilian Conservation Corps created by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933, the California program was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 1976.
Corps employees work on environmental projects throughout the state, build and maintain backcountry trails in local and state parks, monitor salmon restoration, and protect watersheds. Members also respond to natural disasters, such as fires and earthquakes.
The program is designed specifically for non-college-bound young adults, with the intent of providing them jobs and career guidance after high school. Participants who ultimately decide to pursue higher education can get financial assistance in the form of state grants and funds for books and other educational materials.
If the program closes, hundreds of Corps members would lose funding for school and eligibility for scholarships from organizations such as Americorps.
“The only reason [program participants] go to school is because they don’t want to lose their jobs,” Santa Maria CCC coordinator Tina Moore said, adding that closing the state program would mean educational suicide for thousands of young adults.
“Tell them to go to the community college to get a degree and they won’t,” she said. “They want to work.”
Moore explained that a closure would also lead to a shortage of qualified employees for state parks and beaches, including the Oceano Dunes.
“About half of the current Oceano Dunes rangers are Corps alumni,” she said, adding that three local alumni work for CalTrans.
The Santa Maria satellite boasts a total of 32 Corps members, four staff members, and one recruiter.
In response to the governor’s proposal, a handful of alumni have started Friends of the CCC. The nonprofit group recently created an online petition calling for the governor to alter his proposal.
For more information about the California Conservation Corps, call the Santa Maria satellite program at 349-7383 or visit ccc.ca.gov.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 5, 2009.