The Washington Conservation Corps is a service and training program for young adults dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural resources of Washington State.
Vegetation planting, maintenance, fencing projects, habitat restoration efforts and riparian improvements occur each year within the North Yakima Conservation District area. The Washington Conservation Corps under contract with the North Yakima Conservation District performs much of the on the ground work.
For more information about the WCC, including opportunities to participate, please visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/wcc/index.html
2023-2024 Crew Members
Hola, my name is Guadalupe Valdovinos and I was raised in Manson, Washington. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 2001 to transition to the US Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter. I served in the Forest Service on Initial Attack crews, Fire Engine Crew, wildfire Hotshot Crews, Helicopter Rappel Crews, and Initial Attack Dispatching till 2017. I love the outdoors and that is why I joined the Washington State Department of Ecology as a WCC crew Supervisor.
Hi! My name is Sam, and I moved from New York State to join the WCC program. I have a Bachelors degree from Syracuse University and recently completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail before coming to Washington. I hope to use my time here to start a career in conservation. Working with the WCC and NYCD has helped me tremendously in learning more about careers in conservation/ecology and figuring out what jobs are available to me!
Hey there! My name is Claire. I recently graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelor’s in Anthropology specializing in archaeology and cultural resource management with a minor in forensics. Prior to WCC, I served a summer seasonal term with the U.S. Forest Service in Cle Elum as a field archaeologist. What really got me into WCC was the opportunity to work and learn out in nature while also making an impact on the environment and the community. An outsider may see us planting a tree, but we’re doing so much more. We’re restoring vital habitat to our valley while building relationships with landowners, organizations, and the local tribes.
I’m Andrew Violette, I’m 24 and I serve as a crew member for the North Yakima WCC crew. I’ve lived in Yakima most of my life and I’m excited to be doing a lot of local community work for Washington and learning more about ecology. Working outdoors has occasionally been a struggle especially with Washington’s unpredictable weather, but it’s been very fun and I’ve already learned a lot about operating heavy machinery and planting native species of plants to help strengthen our local environments.
Ady: Member
Hi, my name is Ady, and I’m originally from wanetchee but moved to Yakima. I Graduated Sunnyside High School and joined WCC not too long after. I joined because I thought it would be good job experience and working to preserve the outdoors was of interest to me. I enjoy working at WCC and am learning a lot about future careers and jobs!
Hi, my name is Liam! I was born and raised in Yakima—this is my home—so I joined the WCC to help keep its ecosystem healthy. I enjoy foraging for mushrooms and rockhounding for petrified wood in the Yakima Valley and love connecting with nature, making the WCC a perfect fit for me.
North Yakima Conservation District 