Urban and Community Forestry

Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) crews help create robust urban forests that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health and well-being.

Urban and Community Forest Program Overview:

Spring and Autumn: Young Adult Conservation Corps Crews for individuals ages 19- 26, will participate in a 12-week, crew-based paid term of service during the spring and autumn. Each crew will be comprised of up to five young adult participants and one crew leader, who will average 35 hours per week on urban forestry projects and spend up to 10 hours per week in education and training. Participants will receive a stipend, industry recognized credentials, develop 21st Century work skills, and receive post program assistance connecting with green careers in their region.

Crew members can use this opportunity as a steppingstone towards starting a career in an outdoor field such as natural resource management, outdoor recreation, forestry, or working for other environmental nonprofits. Others, who may not be interested in working in the green jobs sector, can use this work experience as a chance to gain easily transferable job skills, travel to new places, meet new people, and spend weeks making a real difference in their community.

Join the urban and community forestry program

Northwest Youth Corps’ Urban and Community Forestry crews integrate team-based work projects, education, and professional trainings into a program that encourages personal growth and the development of resource management skills.

job skills focus

position overview

2025 crew details

UCF Crew members gain real world experience while enhancing their community’s natural environment. Through a focus on local projects, Crew members will become more connected and invested with the area in which they live and can take pride in the benefits they create for these areas. 

UCF integrates team-based work projects, education, and on-site vocational training into an experience that prioritizes personal growth, and the development of conservation work skills. Participants will develop technical skills working on a variety of conservation projects while developing the soft skills needed to be successful in any work setting.

A critical element of the program is the educational curriculum that accompanies the experience. The curriculum is based around preparing the next generation of stewardship leaders to work in the outdoor industry. Lessons range from group dynamics and environmental policy to stewardship and resource management. The education experience is seminar based and requires inquisitive group participation. As a part of the inclusive experience each member will be responsible for presenting lessons during the program.

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2025 dates

Young Adult

Idaho: 

Feb. 17th-May 9th

Sep. 15th-Dec. 12th

Oregon: 

Feb. 17th-May 9th

Sep. 15th-Dec. 12th

Washington: 

Feb. 17th-May 9th

Sep. 15th-Dec. 12th

 

(Some year-round positions available.)

Location:

All crews’ projects will take place in their respective community: Boise, ID; Eugene, OR; Tacoma, WA. This is a day program. Local housing is not provided.

Members Receive:

$7,200 stipend, AmeriCorps members earn an additional $1,956 AmeriCorps Education Award.

AmeriCorps:

AmeriCorps and Non-AmeriCorps positions available. AmeriCorps members complete paid terms of national community service to address our nation’s most pressing issues. As an AmeriCorps member you will receive a living allowance prorated throughout your term of service, along with earning an AmeriCorps Education Award.

Learn more about additional AmeriCorps benefits here.

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