Emerald Necklace Fellow

Project summary

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is part of a statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. CCAC matches Fellows with organizations to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, organic waste diversion and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders.

Opportunity description

Amigos de los Rios is seeking two Emerald Necklace Fellows to aid in implementing impactful natural infrastructure projects in eastern Los Angeles County. The Emerald Necklace is a visionary plan to create a continuous greenway network connecting parks, open spaces, and natural areas throughout the region. It aims to link various natural and recreational areas along rivers, creeks, and other green corridors, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, conservation, and community engagement. Fellows will conduct outreach to support our Emerald Necklace volunteer urban forestry initiatives, focusing on environmental justice for low-income minority communities. As a Fellow, your primary role will be to expand our volunteer base, lead urban forestry events, and engage thousands of volunteers in planting trees and shrubs, caring for vegetation, and measuring environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and heat reduction. This hands-on experience will contribute to improving air and water quality, biodiversity, and reducing heat in our communities. Fellows will play a vital role in training volunteers as environmental leaders, empowering California's youth to combat climate change. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinate and lead volunteer urban forestry events, community science resource sharing - such as our Urban Forestry Canopy Management Index, Heat Island database - and educational excursions to Angeles National Forest and throughout the watershed. Expand and strengthen volunteer engagement to implement Emerald Necklace community projects. Develop multilingual, age-appropriate climate action educational programs and materials for schools and community members. Enhance Emerald Necklace project sites through tree and native vegetation planting and maintenance to mitigate climate impacts and promote public health. Cultivate partnerships to expand outreach efforts for volunteer and community events.

Benefits

• $33,600 stipend
• $10,000 education award
• 340 hours of professional development
• Minimum essential healthcare
• Loan forbearance
• Food and childcare assistance (for those eligible)