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Watershed Stewards Program

side: pretty purple flowers. Top: corpsmembers in fire gear sharing a snack. Bottom: corpsmember smiling wearing green helmet

Make a Splash!

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

Train with us

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 Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) will begin accepting applications for it’s 32nd program year in April 2025. This will closely resemble the Year 31 Application Process. Full application packets are due by June 30, 2025. If you have questions, please email us at WSP.Recruiter@ccc.ca.gov.

First Time Applicants: Complete the Year 32 WSP Application (not available until April 2025) and upload your one-page resume and cover letter. Email two letters of recommendation to WSP.Recruiter@ccc.ca.gov – may be submitted on your behalf or by applicant.

Second Year Applicants: Complete the WSP 2nd Year Application and upload your one-page resume (including WSP term) and letter of recommendation from your WSP Mentor. 

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!

WSP Corpsmembers with hand tools.

Image 1

Description
WSP Corpsmember with fish in measuring tool.

Image 2

Description
Two WSP Corpsmembers watch a rainbow over a river.

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Description

Know Before You Go

Corpsmember Position

Corpsmembers train 40 hours per week as they assess, monitor, and enhance California watersheds.

WSP Position Analysis

Benefits

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

WSP Benefits [TBD]

Eligibility

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

WSP Eligibility Criteria [TBD]

Application Process

WSP’s 32nd program year application process will closely resemble the past year. View our Year 31 timeline to get an idea of the steps involved to becoming a Corpsmember and Team Leader.

WSP Procedures

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 [TBD]

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.

Current Placement Sites
Become a Placement Site

Delta Center

7000 South Newcastle Road
Stockton, CA 95215
Get Directions

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!

1,536

WSP Corpsmembers Engaged

90

Organizational Partners

56,533

Students Instructed

31,757

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. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Email us!  

Contact Us

 wsp.info@ccc.ca.gov

What attributes exemplify a candidate that would be a good fit for WSP?

  • Genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for environmental science, community engagement, AND national service
  • Professional demeanor
  • Flexible with change

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).

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