Landscape Resilience Steward

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Landscape Resilience Steward at Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants

Location: Sun Valley, California

Number of Positions Available: 3

Time Commitment: September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026. Fellows commit to a 40-hour work week, typically Tuesday - Saturday, approximately 8:30am - 5pm, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 175+ of these hours are dedicated to professional development.  

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Program, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 15, 2025 - Aug 14, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Program.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2025-26 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—but with over 175 dedicated hours for professional development and training while receiving hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July  31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025.

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Program Benefits

TPF is run by a collective of plant lovers and optimists with big dreams. Our staff brings decades of experience with native plants, community stewardship, and environmental advocacy with deep roots in Southern California. Being a Landscape Resilience Steward at TPF offers a rich opportunity to build experience and knowledge through hands-on projects, professional landscape classes, and community engagement. You'll gain the skills and confidence needed to lead climate- and wildfire-resilient landscape efforts beyond your Fellowship. At TPF, you’ll join a diverse, intergenerational team collaborating to advance environmental equity and resilience through native plant landscaping across Los Angeles County. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $35,000 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 175+ hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term*
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance* (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

As an Landscape Resilience Steward with the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants (TPF), you’ll gain hands-on experience and classroom-based learning that deepens your knowledge of California native plants, propagation techniques, wildfire-resilient landscape design, and community-centered greening practices. From seed to installation, you’ll lead urban greening and wildfire resilience projects, growing native plants and cultivating local partnerships to transform underutilized spaces into thriving native demonstration gardens. Alongside TPF’s diverse and intergenerational team, you’ll engage with the public at community events and in the nursery sales yard—helping shift Los Angeles toward climate resilience, one landscape at a time. The skills you develop will prepare you for careers in native plant horticulture, design, nursery production, education, and environmental outreach. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Cultivate California native trees and shrubs from seed and vegetative cuttings through hands-on propagation and nursery production techniques
• Engage with the public in TPF’s Sales Yard to build fluency in native plant species and grow confidence in recommending plants for urban greening and wildfire-resilient landscapes
• Promote the climate-adaptive benefits of California native plants at outreach events through education and volunteer mobilization
• Coordinate a community-centered urban greening project by identifying a local site, recruiting volunteers, leading climate action teach-ins, and hosting a community plant-in
• Develop a care plan with community partners to ensure the long-term health of the demonstration garden as a hub for seed collection, climate education, and continued greening efforts
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 15, 2025
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 15, 2025
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice/Equity, Habitat Restoration, Landscape Management, Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, Native Plant Management, Project Management, Volunteer Management & Engagement, the Ability to lift up to 30 lbs in Diverse Outdoor Conditions (rain, wind, heat, steep or uneven terrain), Access to a reliable vehicle, and Must possess a valid driver's license. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants

Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes. We envision a world where climate resilient, native plant landscapes are the norm, native flora are abundant and thriving in urban environments, and ecological educational resources are accessible to all. Our values are to promote, preserve, and restore California’s native landscapes and habitats in urban areas; to propagate California native plants and wildflowers and make them available to the public; and to be an authoritative source of knowledge about California flora and educate Californians about their natural heritage. More info: theodorepayne.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025. Interviews will take place May - August, with all positions filled by September 2025. This is a competitive program and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applications are for the California Climate Action Corps Program in general, but applicants can select up to 5 preferred organizations and positions within the application.

*Program structure, fellow benefits, and final participation are subject to approved grant award(s).