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Youth Conservation Corps

The Youth Conservation Corps, which will enter its 17th year of operation in 2010, will have served over 500 girls and boys ranging in age from 15-17. This year, four teams will work along the Neponset River Greenway, the East Boston Greenway and in Boston’s Urban Wilds. The teens learn teamwork and job skills while engaged in environmental improvement projects involving environmental restoration, trail building, landscaping and more.

The youth have been instrumental in building support for both the Greenways and the Wilds and draw community attention to these spaces.

YCC Activities

The Youth Conservation Corps work and education programs focus on restoring habitat and creating access. The below list is just a sample of YCC members do. To see photos from the 2009 YCC program click here.

  • Create and maintain trails
  • Complete vegetation restoration projects, which attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife
  • Remove invasive plant species
  • Landscape park areas with native vegetation
  • Assist BNAN's City Natives horticulturist to propagate and care for native plants at the nursery
  • Create murals along the Neponset River Greenway and East Boston Greenway
  • Canoe the Neponset River and Belle Isle Marsh
  • Learn about current local and global environmental concerns and efforts
  • Learn basic financial skills and learn about green career and college choices

Teens--Work for the Youth Conservation Corps this Summer!

We have 36-40 openings for Boston teens and 4 openings for Milton teens. There are four separate crews comprised of 10 -12 teens: The East Boston crew, The Neponset crew (work in Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park), and two Urban Wilds crews (work in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale).

YCC Requirements:

  • 15 -17 years of age
  • Resident of Boston registered with the City of Boston Hope Line (visit www.bostonyouthzone.com to register, deadline March 15) –or– Resident of Milton
  • Willingness to work outdoors in all weather
  • Ability to perform physical work on conservation projects
  • Interest in learning about the natural environment
  • Enthusiasm and capability to work as part of a team
  • Commitment to being on time
  • Desire to make a difference in your community

Important Information and Forms to Download:

YCC teen applications must be received by March 31, 2010.  Following receipt of application, a group or phone interview will be conducted to determine final selections.

We are also looking for committed adults to work for YCC! Click here for position descriptions and application instructions for adult YCC positions.

For more information contact Candice Cook, Program Manager, at candice@bostonnatural.org.