working towards a greener future!

Conservation Corps is the place to find inspired young people working on environmental and cultural projects.

Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador (CCNL) started in 1993 as an initiative of the Economic Recovery Commission, with the goal of providing training and employment for youth in a time of economic upheaval. 24 years later, they are still going strong, focusing on the conservation and enhancement of both the environmental and cultural assets of the province through employment and outreach. CCNL has hired over 2400 youth working on projects including trail maintenance, stream enhancement, environmental education, interviewing newcomers, and profiling businesses and organizations for the Guide to the Good!

There are three main youth employment programs with CCNL: Green Teams, ECHO, and Internships. Green Teams employ teams of 4 youth ages 16-30, while ECHO participants are individual students, and interns are recent graduates. what all three of these programs have in common are close connections with community partners.

supporting young people

CCNL is a not-for-profit charitable organization and receives funding from various sources to operate their youth employment programs including the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, Canada Summer Jobs, corporate supporters, municipalities and community organizations. CCNL places a call for proposals each year and partners with community groups and municipalities to hire youth to work on projects valued by the communities.

Aside from youth employment, CCNL has other environmental and cultural conservation initiatives year-round. most notably is the Climate Change Education Centre supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation, which delivers in-school education presentations on Climate Change on a provincial scale. most recently they have also been promoting inter-generational gardening; matching youth with seniors to facilitate sharing of knowledge and developing a stronger understanding of how our food is produced.

To get involved, keep an eye on their social media and YouTube Channel. proposals for community partners are due early in the year, while the deadline for job applications for youth is usually in the late spring.