California Conservation Corps at 50 is an environmental and workforce development success.

For 50 years, the California Conservation Corps has represented one of the best ideas California ever had. Founded during Gov. Jerry Brown’s first administration, the CCC is the largest and longest-operating conservation corps in the nation. It represents the best of California – service, education, opportunity and stewardship.

Over 50 years, the hardworking members of the CCC have planted thousands of trees, built and maintained hundreds of miles of trails and improved streams, fish habitat and parks. They have spent more than 14 million hours responding to disasters including wildfires, floods, earthquakes, pest infestations and oil spills.

These weren’t simply work assignments. For most members, the CCC was a life-changing pathway to a meaningful career. At its heart, the CCC is a workforce development organization, open to young adults ages 18 to 25 and veterans up to age 29. The skills and leadership experience prepare them for careers in conservation, firefighting, park management and more. Over the past eight years, for example, Cal Fire has hired more than 1,000 corpsmembers.

For most members, it was a life-changing pathway.

Their impact stretches statewide and is nowhere more evident than on California’s Central Coast. Members from the San Luis Obispo Los Padres residential facility have improved fish habitat and erosion control in Morro Bay, rebuilt trails damaged by fire and floods in Big Sur, and reduced fuel and fire threats at Montaña de Oro State Park. Members from the Watsonville Monterey Bay Center reopened a trail at New Brighton State Beach, reduced fire fuel at Coyote Canyon in Santa Clara County, and helped protect the Pogonip trail system in Santa Cruz.

When devastating fires broke out in Los Angeles last year, members from throughout the state assisted with fire mitigation, property protection and cleanup.

The nonprofit California Conservation Corps Foundation helps corpsmembers succeed through scholarships, career training support and assistance during times of personal hardship. That support has included helping a corpsmember attend a parent’s funeral and assisting CCC firefighters in Santa Cruz who were themselves affected by fire.

Each year, corpsmembers visit California’s Capitol, and I am always moved by their stories. One such success story is Ginger Gonzalez, who began a meaningful career path after taking coursework and earning certifications at the Los Padres Center. Today, she is a utility forestry consultant. Reflecting on her time in the Corps, she says, “It made me realize what I want to dedicate my life to: protecting the great outdoors.”

At a time when California faces enormous environmental and workforce challenges, the CCC remains proof that investing in young people, public service and stewardship still works, 50 years later.

John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, is a California state senator representing California’s Central Coast. He served as California’s Secretary for Natural Resources under Gov. Jerry Brown, when they toured fire sites together and met corpsmembers.