Youth Conservation Corps: Now Recruiting

This is the time of year when we start dreaming about summer gardens, agricultural projects and land improvements. It’s also the season when we begin recruiting for one of our most cherished programs—the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).

Did you know that every summer, a group of committed young people from right here in Taos, ages 14 to 25, put on their work gloves and sunhats to embark on a journey of environmental stewardship at Rio Fernando Park? It’s a program we’re deeply proud of because it doesn’t just teach conservation skills—it plants seeds for the future. These young folks are learning how to care for both our ecological and human communities in ways that will ripple out for generations. Many go on to pursue careers in environmental science and related fields, ensuring that Taos continues a positive path of sustainability while modeling possibilities for the next wave of stewards.

YCC employees work on projects such as removing invasive species, building trails, maintaining acequias, soil testing, growing food, composting, water monitoring, restoring wetlands, and so much more. They gain hands-on experience in ecology, conservation, and agriculture while learning life skills like teamwork and leadership. Through a variety of training opportunities, they are able to explore career paths related to land stewardship. We’ve been lucky enough to employ over 100 local youth through this program over the years—young people who earn a living wage as agriculturalists, ecologists, and advocates for our community’s future.

2024 Crew Leader Aron Rivera was born and raised in Taos and decided to get involved with TLT YCC after high school because a good friend and co-worker at Taos Ski Valley recommended it to him. It ended up being one of his favorite seasonal jobs! Here’s what Aron says about his experience working for YCC:

“The connections you make at the YCC are special and can help you grow as an individual and with your crew… It expanded my interests working with forestry and gave me a great perspective on how big the industry is and how important it is… The training helped me recognize how I can become a better leader for any future career path I decide on taking. I feel like I have a lot more confidence in myself and how I can handle the job and be an example for others while doing so.” 

This program isn’t just a summer job; it’s a legacy of stewardship and resilience. If you know a young person who might be interested in joining us this summer, please encourage them to reach out to Nora Wicks, our Education Director, at wicks@taoslandtrust.org.  Learn about more openings on our Employment page. 

If you’d like to support the YCC program, your generous donation can make a real difference. Contributions go directly toward training programs in conservation and career skills, tools and equipment for restoration projects, and infrastructure improvements at Rio Fernando Park. Your support helps ensure that we can continue offering meaningful employment opportunities while addressing critical community needs like food security and climate resilience.  

Thank you for being part of this community that values its youth and its land. Together, we’re ensuring that Taos remains a place where nature and people thrive side by side.