Join the Youth Conservation Program
The Office of Management and Budget has ceased all funding for this program, effective January 28, 2025 at 5:00pm. Therefore, this program has been paused until further notice.
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, MobilizeGreen will offer residential Youth Conservation Program (YCP) programs in the summer of 2025 for diverse young people between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age. The MobilizeGreen-Forest Service YCP is a three-week residential program where members live and work together as a team. YCP Members are introduced to conservation-related projects together during the day and participate in environmental education, leadership and personal development lessons, and outdoor recreation activities during the evenings and weekends. The YCP experience is unique and can create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Our goal is to introduce youth from diverse, urban, and rural backgrounds to nature and the environmental field. Selected participants receive a $375 per week stipend, as well as all travel, meals, and accommodations. Equipment scholarships are available on an as-needed basis.
The 2025 season will take place in two locations - the San Bernardino National Forest, Cleveland National Forest (Southern California) and the Superior National Forest (Northern Minnesota) simultaneously over the following two cohorts. Participants will be assigned to one location and one cohort.
Cohort 1: June 8 - June 28, 2025
Cohort 2: July 6 - July 26, 2025
YCP Conservation-Related Work Projects
YCP members will work on a variety of projects that help protect, preserve, and restore the natural and cultural resources of the Forest Service and participating partners. Participants work hard, sometimes in difficult conditions including rain, heat, and mosquitoes. Examples of projects may include:
Restoration Projects and Education
Trail Maintenance
Habitat Management
Climate Change Resilience
Fire Dependent Ecology and Management
Invasive Species Removal
Site Beautification
Beach/Community Cleanup
Campsite Restoration
YCP Member Benefits
Paid summer position (including travel expenses)
Develop collaboration and leadership skills
Work with other high school students from across the country
Explore outdoor and recreational activities such as backpacking, biking, climbing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and/or other activities during non-work and program hours
Learn about cultural and natural resource management careers
YCP Member Eligibility
We encourage all youth to consider applying for YCP positions.
Must be at least 15 by June 1 of the program year and may not be older than 18 years old before August 31 of the program year
Must be enrolled in school or a 2024 graduate
Must be able to fulfill the essential functions of the assigned work with or without reasonable accommodations
Have a valid U.S. Social Security number or have applied for a valid Social Security number by start of program
Must be able to obtain a work permit as required under applicant’s home state laws
Must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident
YCP Physical Requirements
Able to hike about 5 miles a day
Able to perform up to 35 hours of physical labor in a week
Willingness to learn to use hand tools for digging, sawing, chopping etc.
Occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds
YCP Member Participation Requirements
Demonstrates leadership skills and/or responsibility
Likes working with people
Comfortable being away from home for 3 weeks with limited phone/internet access
Comfortable with camping for 7 days outdoors with limited amenities
Wants to learn more about ecology or environmental topics
Willing to participate in a communal setting with a positive attitude for the entire program
Must be respectful of all program participants and leaders
Must follow instructions, safety regulations, and guidelines and complete assigned chores
Must actively engage and participate in all events and environmental education programs, games, and activities
Strong swimming capabilities recommended