CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH BAY INC

Each year, CCNB’s corpsmembers collect approximately 200 tons of recyclable beverage containers from more than 500 sites throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties. Corpsmembers build fire-resistant recycling bins, provide recycling services at large and small community events, and process the containers for recycling. CCNB is also a certified and permitted e-waste collector and waste-tire hauler. CCNB’s Zero Waste corpsmembers educate the public and process electronic waste (electrical or electronic devices) at sites throughout Marin and Sonoma. In addition, corpsmembers work to remove illegally dumped tires from public lands, and host community amnesty collection events throughout the year. Corpsmembers also provide communities with valuable mattress collection and used motor oil recycling education services. In 2021, CCNB became the first conservation corps in California to launch a new carpet recycling collection program, saving tons of carpet from the landfill.

Corpsmembers at CCNB have the opportunity to simultaneously earn a paycheck, work toward their diploma, and receive supportive services. Four days each week are dedicated to paid job training on natural resources and zero waste projects including fire fuel reduction, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, collection of recyclable materials, and much more. Members who have not yet graduated high school supplement this work experience through enrollment in John Muir Charter School, with class sessions in the evening and on Fridays, and work steadily toward their diploma. All corpsmembers also take part in CCNB’s Career Pathways programming, which includes one-on-one case management, weekly skill development workshops, career exploration, and job placement support. This comprehensive suite of services acts as a launching pad for corpsmembers, preparing them to enter a living-wage career and become active members of the communities in which they live.

Natural Resources, Conservation Corps North Bay's job training program, affords year-round corpsmembers an outstanding opportunity to improve their long-term employment prospects while performing essential services in the areas of conservation, park improvement and fire and flood mitigation to land-management agencies and environmental nonprofits. Through partnerships with dozens of environmental agencies, corpsmembers gain exposure to concepts ranging from invasive species control, to energy efficiency, to public works and community safety. Our intensive program emphasizes safety, quality, and professionalism, with instruction in forestry, native species identification, ecological landscaping, power tool operation, carpentry, and more. Our crews provide fundamental services to land management agencies and environmental organizations throughout Northern California by providing the “people power” needed to implement large-scale projects. CCNB holds a C-27 Landscape Contractor License and our team of staff supervisors have backgrounds as arborists, wildland firefighters, natural resource technicians, biological monitors, and landscapers. Our Natural Resources Crews help our community with: Fire fuel reduction Habitat restoration Trail construction and maintenance Flood prevention Invasive species removal Erosion control Low-water native plant landscaping Carpentry Energy efficiency projects