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Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC)

The Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC) is a three-part program designed to deeply engage young Canadians in our natural and cultural heritage through service, adventure, and reflection. This program will recruit a diverse cross-section of young people (ages 18 to 30) and will engage them in a comprehensive program that will progress from skills training and development and adventure learning to field training and ultimately leading to a meaningful service program in their own communities across Canada. The program was created by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) in 2018 and is supported by the federal government through the Canada Service Corps (CSC). No experience is necessary to apply to the program and a diversity of applicants are selected. Visit CanadianConservationCorps.ca for more information or to get involved.

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Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF)

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, carrying out research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy, and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

Service Corps (CSC)

Canada Service Corps is designed to generate a culture of service among young Canadians; concrete results for communities; personal growth through participation in a diverse team of peers; and lasting impacts on participants. The Canada Service Corps program is being developed for youth, by youth.

“Canada Service Corps is all about providing more youth with an opportunity to build Canada by giving back,” says the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. “Meaningful opportunities like Canadian Conservation Corps mean more young people will have the chance to practice leadership, develop skills and gain great life and work experiences.”

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STAGE 1 – Service Training, Skills Building, and Team Adventure Learning | STAGE 2 – Immersive Field Learning | STAGE 3 – Outreach, Service and Community Impact Development

kim mcgough canadian conservation corps member

STAGE 1 – Service Training, Skills Building, and Team Adventure Learning

In Stage 1, participants will take part in highly focused skills-building, training, and personal development. The stage will also include an adventure journey designed to build a conservation ethic and the tenacity required for success in life. A variety of certifications such as First Aid and WILD Education are included in the training program. Learn more about the application process.

Learn more about the application process.

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STAGE 2 – Immersive Field Learning

In this stage, CCC participants will be immersed in exciting hands-on conservation and environmental field learning, working in collaboration with conservation experts in a variety of opportunities that may include areas such as:

Habitat Creation and Restoration,
Wildlife Management and/or Environmental Science,
Public awareness & environmental education.

Corps members will have a chance to complete meaningful service learning to deepen the lessons learned in the first stage of the program. During this stage, participants will also begin to develop outreach and service projects they can deliver during stage three of the program.

Learn more about the application process.

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STAGE 3 – Community Outreach and Service

In this stage, participants will share their knowledge with others in their home communities across Canada. Participants will engage with their community using a conservation issue of their choice. This central issue will allow them to engage others in their community in meaningful service. By reflecting upon this experience and sharing it with others, participants will help connect Canadians to nature and inspire the conservation of wildlife and habitat for the use and enjoyment of all.

Learn more about the application process.

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Participant Feedback

“Over the last nine months I have had the opportunity to visit nine out of 10 Canadian provinces,” said Shannon Anderson, a Canadian Conservation Corps graduate from New Brunswick. “I have climbed my first real mountain. I have touched the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. I have handed out plants to teachers in Calgary. I have participated in youth service and leadership talks in Toronto. I have chaperoned a youth trip to Northern British Colombia. I have been able to see 25 km across prairie and the largest skies in the world. I have helped create over 11 million walleye and 100,000 splake trout. I have tracked northern pike with a hydrophone. I have taken density of oxygen readings. I have helped film educational videos to raise awareness of aquatic invasive species. I have visited a sharp-tailed grouse lek. I have watched bison roam on some of the last remaining native prairie in the world. I have met people and created invaluable friendships from all over Canada. I have had a lot of fun.”

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Michael Chen

My takeaway from the adventure journey was gaining an appreciation and awareness for Canadian wild animals. I did not realize the diversity of birds, wild cats and wildlife that we had in Canada. With this personal connection to nature and wildlife, I am more informed to promote the importance of practicing sustainable actions and getting involved in conservation. From planning youth programs for the Calgary zoo, I learned that conservation can be fun and accessible. (It isn't limited to field experts.) We can get more people involved in protecting wildlife and wild spaces by making it fun and enjoyable. For example, if we can turn a park clean-up or a bat monitoring program into fun games that meet the challenge levels for kids, teens and adults, we can get more people engaged in conservation and to be stewards of the environment. I would recommend the CCC program because it is a unique program that challenges young people to go beyond their personal comfort zone and to learn about conservation. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you can make new friends from all across Canada. As a result of being part of the stage 1 and 2, I am more comfortable going to explore the local parks, rivers, and forests that we're lucky to have in Ontario and in Canada. I am truly changed for the better from this CCC experience.

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Luke Ehler

For me the CCC program helped to affirm my interest in pursuing a future in conservation through environmental education. It's also given me the training and connections to feel confident in pursuing my passion. To help people care about nature by making them aware of how special it is, how it's being impacted by our actions, and what steps we can take individually and collectively to create a more harmonious relationship. I absolutely recommend this program to any young Canadians out there who have a passion for nature and aspire to make the world a better place. The CCC can assist you in these endeavors by providing you with a truly incredible opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

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Chris Hinz

My experience kayaking the Clayoquot Sound helped me see first-hand the positive impact and the importance of getting involved in conservation and protecting the beautiful and unique landscapes of Canada. My adventure has left me feeling a deeper connection to nature, wildlife and Canada. I would recommend joining the CCC because the program will connect you with amazing, life changing people, places and experiences all across Canada.

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