Published on June 18, 2019

Santa Rosa, CA – On Monday June 17th, more than 40 Sonoma County youth and young adults will be engaged in activities ranging from invasive species removal to watershed education and riparian habitat exploration at Westside Water Education Center.  The clean-up and educational activities are the kick-off event for the 2019 Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps (SCYEC) which is proudly in our 11th year. SCYEC is dedicated to community improvement projects, providing paid work experience and educational opportunities for youth.  The kick-off event is one of several opportunities for the media to interview and photograph program participants and providers (Details for all events, below).

The 16-to-24-year-olds employed through this summer’s program will be working for eight weeks on ecosystem restoration and conservation-related projects. earning 13.80 per hour.   An additional 16 young adults are also engaged in the SCYEC’s Career Pathway Program this summer, working on a senior field crew with the water agency, and engaged in internships with the water agency, county general services and regional parks.

Youth will be engaged in fire recovery and rehabilitation efforts, flood mitigation and stream restoration activities, creek clean up and invasive species removal, maintaining and building trails in local parks, cleaning up open spaces, supporting community gardening projects, and providing in-office assistance to local non-profit organizations across Sonoma County.  Throughout the summer, crew members will receive job-readiness training and environmental education. 

“By engaging youth in paid job training and work experience, we are empowering them to develop a connection to their community, economy and environment while simultaneously helping restore ecosystems and proactively managing our creeks, trails, and natural resources.” said David Rabbitt, chairman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Training and orientation for the summer program will begin on Monday, June 17th.  The kick-off on June 20th is a time for young people employed in the program to work together as crews and to hear from community leaders and government and nonprofit partners about the work they will be accomplishing throughout the county. 

SCYEC Media Opportunities and Details

SCYEC Kick-Off Work Day and Picnic

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Kick-Off Event Details

Location:             Westside Water Education Center

Time:                    9:00 a.m. – Work Day Begins

                             11:45 a.m. – Lunch

                             12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Kick-Off Program

Directions:

Take 101 to the River Road/Mark West Spring Road Exit and head west on River Road.  Continue on River Road until you reach Wohler Road.  Turn right onto Wohler Road and continue until you reach the Wohler Bridge.  Cross the Wohler Bridge and Westside Water Education Center will be on the right.  (Please Car Pool as there is limited parking onsite).

RSVP:    Please RSVP to Emma Sharpe at Emma.Sharpe@scwa.ca.gov or (707) 521-6200.

Visit a Crew Days – SAVE THE DATE - July 10th, 18th, 24th or 25th

Take advantage of the opportunity to observe a crew in the field and speak directly with crew members, SCYEC Partners and Youth Agency staff. Specific locations to be announced as crew assignments and locations are solidified.

Santa Rosa:        Wednesday, July 10th   1:30 PM Conservation Corps North Bay

North County:   Thursday, July 18th          1:30 PM Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship

West County:    Wednesday, July 24th     11:30 AM West County Community Services

Sonoma Valley: Thursday, July 25th        1:30 PM Social Advocates for Youth – Sonoma Valley        

South County:   Date and Time TBD     Petaluma Peoples Services Center

RSVP:    Please RSVP to Steve Trippe at sgtrippe@newwaystowork.org or (707) 824-4000.

Opportunity Fair: Showcasing Options for the Future

Monday, August 5th 8:30 am to Noon

Sonoma County Job Link

2227 Capricorn Way #100, Santa Rosa

Note: Volunteers needed to conduct mock interviews!

RSVP:    Please RSVP to Amanda Gayda at agayda@schsd.org or (707) 565-5548.