Chesapeake Conservation Corps

Increasing access and opportunities to green careers and educating and training the next generation of stewards on how best to manage and protect our environment is crucial to restoring our region’s natural resources. To help meet those needs, the Trust provides young adults with hands-on environmental and leadership experience through its Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program. The Corps Program places young adults (ages 18-25) with nonprofit or government agencies for one-year terms of service in the Chesapeake Bay region.

The purpose of the Corps is to:

  1. Enable young adults to work with organizations and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region on issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay.
  2. Prepare young adults for future green careers through leadership and training opportunities including on-the-job experience, conferences, trainings, grant writing and project management. 
  3. Increase the capacity of organizations to develop and implement programs and projects.

Promote and protect the environment by providing young adults with opportunities to gain career skills and become more engaged through meaningful community service

“

Not to sound cliché, but the program was everything and more. I am constantly thinking how grateful I am for having the opportunity to be a part of the CCC program. I definitely gained more teaching skills... Networking is also another big skill I think has become beneficial and will prove to be beneficial as I progress throughout my career.

Maya AlexanderArlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, 2016-2017

Each Corps participant is provided with a stipend and commits to working fulltime for a one year term of service at their host site which begins in August. During the course of that year, Corps participants manage and assist with projects and programs for their host organizations while also receiving extensive trainings hosted by the Trust, as well as other service-learning opportunities including grant writing and project management. Corps Members also develop meaningful connections and friendships with each other creating a network of young environmental professionals that is a powerful resource even after the yearlong term. Ultimately, the Corps Program aims to empower young professionals to take action and make impactful change as leaders and experts in their respective career fields.

The Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program was created through Maryland legislation in 2010 in an effort to support young adults in professional organizations that engage citizens on local environmental priorities. This program is supported by our partners at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and BGE, an Exelon Company.

If you are interested in applying to the Corps as a participant or host site please see the Prospective Applicants page.

Contact Info:
Tara Drennan
Senior Program Officer
tdrennan@cbtrust.org
(410) 974-2941 x102