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Washington Conservation Corps

Gain hands-on experience protecting and restoring the environment

The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) is your opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the environmental field. The WCC works year-round to protect and enhance Washington’s natural resources. By becoming a WCC Member, you will work with like-minded people making a difference.

Work outdoors throughout Washington State

From the peaks of the Olympics to the fields of Eastern Washington, the WCC has nearly 275 member positions statewide.   

In fall 2011, The Washington Conservation Corps formed a partnership with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and United States Forest Service to create new opportunities for recently returning military veterans. In addition to establishing funding for veteran-specific opportunities; the WCC's guiding legislation was amended to allow waiving the WCC's age requirement for military veterans.

Veterans are encouraged to apply for all WCC member positions, including our Puget SoundCorps crew. These Puget SoundCorps crews are engaged in work that helps support the Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda to return the Sound to a healthy environmental condition by 2020. In addition to helping restore and protect Washington’s environment, they will 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.

These crews work on projects throughout the Puget Sound area, including:

  • Removing bulkheads and other shoreline structures that damage habitat or cause pollution.
  • Cleaning up beaches.
  • Planting, maintaining and preserving urban trees.
  • Restoring marine and near shore habitat.
  • Repairing and replanting stream and streamside habitat.

As members, veterans earn the state minimum wage and a $5,550 AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of the program that they can use to repay student loans or toward future tuition expenses as a supplement to any GI Bill benefits earned. They also attend a series of paid trainings throughout the year such as advanced wilderness first aid, wild land firefighting and pumps and saws, and flood and hazardous material response. More on training...

The WCC also provides transitional assistance and aid in providing contacts and information for the many programs available to Veterans. This transition from military to AmeriCorps service will enable veterans to continue serving their communities and country while gaining new skills and experience in the environmental field.