Watershed Stewards Program

Watch our informational video!

Learn how you can make a difference for fish species and local watersheds.

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Positions
Approximately 44

Season Duration
October – August

Monthly Stipend
$2,904 – Corpsmember
$2,967 – Team Leader

Overview

CCCs’ Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) empowers young adults to improve watershed health by actively engaging in restoration science, civic service, and community education. WSP places Corpsmembers with scientists (Mentors) at environmental organizations (Placement Sites) around the state to assist with data collection and analysis, as well as restoration project development and maintenance. Corpsmembers often focus on projects that increase the survival of threatened and endangered salmonids.

During the season, Corpsmembers also educate students at lower-income public schools using the program’s watershed science curriculum. In addition, they recruit community volunteers to tackle watershed projects that local organizations might not otherwise have the resources to complete. Ultimately, a season with WSP enables Corpsmembers to dive deep into environmental field work and develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

Application Information

The Watersheds Stewards Program (WSP) is now accepting Corpsmember and Team Leader applications for its 32nd program year! Full application packets are due June 30th.

The program will begin October 1st, 2025, and end on August 20th, 2026. If you have questions, please email us at WSP.Recruiter@ccc.ca.gov.

First Time Applicants

Complete the Year 32 WSP Application
Upload your cover letter & resume (no more than two pages)
Email two letters of recommendation to WSP.Recruiter@ccc.ca.gov. These may be submitted on your behalf or directly by you

Second Year Applicants

Complete the WSP 2nd Year Application
Upload your resume, including information about your first WSP term (no more than two pages)
Upload one letter of recommendation from your current WSP Mentor and let your Program Coordinator know which letter of recommendation from your first-year application you want submitted on your behalf

Gear UP

Each day, Corpsmembers gear up to make the world a better place. Check out what tools they use to make a splash in the WSP Program!

Planting Seeds for Learning

WSP Corpsmembers work together to turn an old building site at the CCC Los Padres Center into a native plant garden.

WSP Corpsmember with fish in measuring tool.

Counts and Measures

A WSP Corpsmember measures the length of a fish as part of a species count project.

Two WSP Corpsmembers watch a rainbow over a river.

Awe Inspiring Views

WSP Corpsmembers get to work in some amazing places across California.

Know Before You Go

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Application Process

View our application timeline to get an idea of the steps involved to becoming a Corpsmember and Team Leader.

Year 32 Application Timeline

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Benefits

Corpsmembers may earn scholarships, receive heath insurance, qualify for childcare subsidies, and more!

WSP Benefits

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Eligibility

Young adults, 18-32, can join WSP. Individuals must live in California and have a high school diploma.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Corpsmember Position

Corpsmembers serve 40 hours per week under the guidance of WSP Mentors to bring threatened and endangered salmonids back to healthy populations by improving watershed health. Learn more about the position.

View Position Details

Team Leader Position

Team leaders provide support and direction to WSP Corpsmembers in their district (about 10-12 Corpsmembers) and assists WSP staff with event and program coordination. Both first and second year applicants may apply for the team leader position.

View Position Details

Explore our locations

CCC’s Watershed Stewards Program has two regional offices located in Eureka (Region 1) and San Luis Obispo (Region 2).

Each Year WSP partners with approximately 20 environmental organizations throughout California to support and mentor Corpsmembers. Placement sites are determined through an annual application process and may vary from year to year.

Year 32 Placement Sites

Become a Placement Site

Meet the WSP TEam

WSP Corpsmembers

Meet the 44 Corpsmembers participating in Year 31 of the WSP Program. They are definitely making a splash this season!

View Corpsmembers

WSP Mentors

Placement site and CCC staff help Corpsmembers develop the skills and confidence to protect California’s watersheds.

View Mentors

See Our Impact

For more than 30 years, WSP has made a difference in California communities!

1,538

WSP Corpsmembers Engaged

90

Organizational Partners

56,901

Students Instructed

34,003

Community Volunteers Engaged

2,025

Watershed Awareness Volunteer Events (WAVEs) Developed

7,000

Acres Annually Inventoried

Ask Us Anything

We know you have questions about the Watershed Stewards Program. Below are some of the common one’s we get. Additional information is also in our WSP Frequently Asked Questions Document. Have more questions? Email us!

Contact Us

wsp.info@ccc.ca.gov

What are desirable WSP applicant traits?

Comfortable working 40 hours/ week, in rough terrain and inclement weather
Flexible to changing work schedule and tasks
Effectively collaborates within a team
Knowledge of watershed science, fisheries, and/or restoration
Comfortable working around streams

Do I need to turn in all my application materials at the same time?

No – applicants will use WSP’s JotForm to complete their application and upload their cover letter and one-page resume. They must email their Letters of Recommendation to WSP.Recruiter@ccc.ca.gov by June 30th at the latest.

What kind of activities do WSP Corpsmembers do?

During their service, WSP Corpsmembers may participate in a wide array of activities, including:

Field surveys of spawning grounds, habitat, or wildlife
Riparian restoration including native species planting and invasive species removal
Data entry and analysis
Trapping of juvenile or adult fish for counting and measurement
Computer modeling of natural resource data
Designing in-stream projects
Helping to remove fish passage barriers (dams, culverts)
Teaching the Wonders of Watersheds (WOW!) curriculum in elementary classrooms in underserved communities
Engaging their service community in watershed outreach and education
Creating and implementing their own Watershed Awareness Volunteer Events (WAVE) and recruiting community volunteers to complete a restoration project
Training, networking, and professional development opportunities

Am I required to have a car?

Yes & No – Depending on the Placement Site location, it is strongly suggested you have a vehicle. Housing and services are often a distance from Placement Sites and public transport is not always available. Some Placement Sites require Corpsmembers to use their personal vehicle for field work (they will be reimbursed).

Read Our News

man and woman in uniform kneeling on grass with a bay behind them

April 14th, 2025

Watershed Stewards Program Now Accepting Applications

The CCC Watershed Stewards Program is getting ready for its 32nd season. Applications for Corpsmembers are open until June 30.

Older Articles

Watershed Stewards Program

Train with us

Overview

Application Information

First Time Applicants

Second Year Applicants

Gear UP

Planting Seeds for Learning

WSP Corpsmembers work together to turn an old building site at the CCC Los Padres Center into a native plant garden.

Counts and Measures

A WSP Corpsmember measures the length of a fish as part of a species count project.

Awe Inspiring Views

WSP Corpsmembers get to work in some amazing places across California.

Know Before You Go

Application Process

Benefits

Eligibility

Corpsmember Position

Team Leader Position

Explore our locations

District A - Team Leader

CDFW - Yreka

Yurok Tribe

CDFW - Arcata

Bureau of Land Management Arcata Field Office

District B - Team Leader

CDFW - Eureka

CDFW - CWPAP

Eel River Watershed Improvement Group

Point Reyes National Seashore

Marin Water Fisheries Program

Team Leader - District C

San Francisco Estuary Institute

Grassroots Ecology

U.S. Fish & Wildlife - Lodi

San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board

Team Leader - District D

NOAA Southwest Fisheries

Central Coast Wetlands Group

San Luis Obispo Steelhead Initiative

CDFW - Santa Barbara

Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains