Conservation Project Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Conservation Project Fellow at TreePeople

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Number of Positions Available: 4

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 Wednesday - Saturday approximately 6:30am - 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

Serving with TreePeople in wilderness conservation offers a unique opportunity to explore forestry careers through mentorship networks while gaining hands-on experience in diverse forest landscapes and restoration projects. Participants develop expertise in native plant species and evidence-based maintenance techniques, enhancing their knowledge of sustainable land management. Travel is provided to project sites in the Angeles National Forest, ensuring direct engagement with conservation efforts. Additionally, CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, along with specialized forestry training and professional development, further equip participants with valuable skills for environmental stewardship. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $33,600 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

TreePeople is leading the charge in climate resilience by empowering communities to restore and protect Southern California’s wildlands. Our mission is to inspire, engage, and support people in creating a sustainable and thriving environment, and our forest restoration projects are at the heart of this vision. Fellows will play a key role in wildfire prevention and habitat restoration efforts in the Angeles National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains, addressing environmental challenges through hands-on conservation efforts. This includes removing invasive species, planting native trees and plants, and mobilizing volunteers to care for the land. Fellows will also deepen their understanding of local ecology, plant identification, and best practices in environmental stewardship while gaining relevant certifications. By joining TreePeople, Fellows will help foster long-term environmental justice, ensuring that all communities—especially those most impacted by climate change—have a voice in shaping a greener future. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Restore wildland areas by remove invasive species and flash fuels and replacing and nurturing native plants and tree seedlings to support long-term reforestation efforts and reduce wildfire risk
• Coordinate restoration, planting, and care events while mobilizing volunteers through training, guidance, and hands-on opportunities to actively participate in forest restoration efforts
• Cultivate strong relationships with community members, attending local events to promote volunteer involvement and conservation and restoration efforts
• Support TreePeople’s nursery with seed collection, treatment, and propagation activities to ensure a thriving supply of native plants
• 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/Skills

Experience in Community Outreach, Data/Quantitative Analysis, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice/Equity, Event Coordination & Planning, GIS / Mapping, Google Suite, Habitat Restoration, Home Hardening/Defensible Space, Landscape Management, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, Native Plant Management, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Tree Planting/Care, Volunteer Management & Engagement, and the Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and Familiarity or comfortability conducting activities in extreme weather including hiking for several hours on uneven terrain. Other valuable contributions include:ese, Mandarin, or 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 TreePeople

Since 1973, TreePeople has been a nonprofit leader in nature-based solutions to the pressing environmental problems that impact people and ecosystems across Southern California. TreePeople unites communities to grow greener, cooler, and more water-secure homes, neighborhoods, and schools, as well as to protect regional watersheds and wildlands. From our first planting to the 3-millionth tree planted, youth activism has been central to the TreePeople mission – helping shape our conservation strategies in sustainable, community-led climate action. We specialize in a slate of strategic priorities including environmental education, watershed coordination, community forestry & green infrastructure, wildlands restoration & conservation, and policy & research. More info: treepeople.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).