The California Conservation Corps (CCC), modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, was initiated as a pet-project in 1976 by then Governor Jerry Brown. For nearly 30 years it has served to engage more than 95,000 young men and women in 54 million hours of meaningful work protecting the environment, serving the community and in the process developing young men and women into responsible and productive citizens.

The work the CCC performs is diverse and can range from such things as trail maintenance, riparian zone restoration, tree planting and exotic plant species removal in the remote regions of California or construction, and roadside maintenance in more urbanized regions.

The work of the CCC benefits the environnment as well as those involved in the program. Individuals learn self-discipline and are often provided a structured lifestyle they may have been without otherwise. The program provides vocational training, the opportunity to receive a High School Diploma and numerous scholarships for on-the-job work hours and community volunteerism.

Since 1992 the State of California has continuously alotted less funding to the CCC, forcing the closure of numerous residential centers througout the state.