Salinas Center
The Salinas Center provides Corpsmembers opportunities to complete natural resource projects across the Central Coast.
Salinas Corpsmember Tommy Castro sizes up a tree before beginning the process of felling the hazard tree, damaged during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire of 2020.
Map to Center
Solano Center
710 Old Stage Road
Salinas, CA 93908
Get Directions
Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Salinas Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.
Select an icon to learn more about project and training opportunities.
Built Environment
The California Conservation Corps partners with California State Parks, Caltrans, county and city departments, and area non-profits to enhance the built environment. CCC Corpsmembers may complete a variety of projects such as building or maintaining park facilities, installing signage, retrofitting energy systems, creating defensible space, and reducing flood risk in communities.
Built Environment
Emergency Response
All Corpsmembers respond to emergencies across California and beyond. Assignments can last up to 21 days in a row and Corpsmembers may work up to 16 hours in a day, earning excess pay. Crews support wildfire base camps, protect homes from flooding, remove debris, and more.
Emergency Response
Forestry
Corpsmembers at the Salinas Center improve the health of California’s forests by planting seedlings, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation. Corpsmembers enrolled in the CCC complete an array of projects such as planting young trees, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation.
Forestry
Habitat Restoration
Salinas Corpsmembers assess habitats, remove invasive vegetation, plant native species, stabilize slopes, or implement additional modifications to enhance natural environments. Corpsmembers may complete this work in forests, rivers, streams, or other sensitive habitats.
Habitat Restoration
Trails
Serving on natural resource crews, Corpsmembers construct and maintain trails for public recreation. Project work varies but may involve clearing brush, rebuilding trail tread, installing rip rap erosion control, constructing bridges or boardwalks, and more.
Trails
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Salinas Center.
Know Before You Go
Spikes
Salinas Corpsmembers often camp closer to project sites, called spikes, in wilderness areas or when projects take place outside of a reasonable commute.
Transportation
Corpsmembers must have reliable transportation to center. There is a daily bus to and from Rancho Cielo, however its scheduled times of operation may not work to attend CCC activities on-time.
Activities
Join the Monterey Bay District’s Corpsmember Advisory Board to organize volunteer events, plan recreation trips, and build community
Find Your Path
Work with CCC career navigators to chart out your path to success. We can help you leverage your training to launch meaningful careers and pursue educational opportunities. Don’t just take our word for it, check out this alum story.
“My biggest challenge was improving my leadership skills. Now, I’m a little more confident and I know how to approach people. … I had many restoration projects while I was in the CCC and the experience working with various tools has helped me with my new job.”
Ask Us Anything
Talk to A Recruiter
When assigned to a spike or emergency, can I park my personal vehicle at the center?
Corpsmembers are highly encouraged to be dropped off or carpool to the center when scheduled for a spike or emergency. The center does have space for Corpsmember parking.
Will the Salinas Center help me get my driver license?
The center will assist with online learning and provide time to take the written and physical tests.
Are there computers I can use at the center?
The center has access to John Muir Charter School’s laptops on the Rancho Cielo campus. JMCS laptops may be checked-out through their process and requirements.
Desktops may also be available to Corpsmembers at times, but there is not a full computer lab available.
Does the center of a gym I can use?
No, the Salinas Center does not have access to a gym. However, Salinas Corpsmembers are able to utilize the Monterey Bay gym in Watsonville on Fridays.
If I want to do Forestry Corps, am I able to immediately be on the crew?
Possibly. If there are openings at the conclusion of initial training new Corpsmembers may be able to join the Forestry Corps crew. If there are not openings, Corpsmembers will be assigned to the resource crew until there is an opening.
If I enroll at the Salinas Center, would I be able to transfer to the Monterey Bay Center for the fire crew?
Yes, transfer to the Monterey Bay Center to partake in that particular program is possible. You will need to speak to your supervisor about how to apply for a transfer and other requirements. Openings may be infrequent. There are additional transfer requirements, including service times and meeting performance standards.
What are some of the volunteer opportunities I may participate in?
There are numerous volunteer events available throughout the year, including with local food banks, American Legion Posts, little leagues, libraries, and animal shelters.
Read Center News
To help provide the San Lorenzo Valley Water District with a pipeline replacement project, Salinas Forestry Corps Corpsmembers have been helping to remove nearby hazard trees.
