Expand Conservation Corps

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Grow Green Jobs by Expanding Conservation Corps

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans filed for unemployment. Throughout, our outdoor spaces - parks, preserves, and natural areas - provided us a space to heal and renew. As we build back from this historic crisis, we propose scaling up the existing network of Conservation Corps that service parks and natural areas throughout our country to help address this persistent un- and underemployment crisis. Legislation to expand the Conservation Corps with equitable jobs that provide a fair wage will help repair and maintain these important outdoor places so that they remain available and in good condition for us all for years to come.

PLEASE help us advance Build Back Better, which recently passed Congress and is now making its way through the Senate. Build Back Better includes $30 billion in funding for a Civilian Climate Corps, supporting 300,000 jobs that will help us restore our land and water, and combat climate change with nature-based solutions.

THANK YOU for supporting nature, your neighbors, and Openlands.

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Grow Green Jobs by Expanding Conservation Corps

This historic moment of crisis calls again for nothing less than the bold and courageous actions taken in the early 20^th century that put millions of Americans to work, restored our nation’s natural heritage, and rebuilt its infrastructure. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed, educated, and trained 3 million young men during the Great Depression. The legacy of the CCC lives on through hundreds of local conservation corps chapters that exist today, including Greencorps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, and others in greater Chicago. These conservation corps provide valuable job training and work experience to local residents while also completing needed maintenance and restoration of parks, trails, and natural areas.

Openlands has engaged Senator Durbin, Representative Rush, Cook County President Preckwinkle, and leaders throughout the region in discussions to address the current health and employment crises by significantly increasing public investments in our conservation corps programs. Through leadership by Senator Durbin and Representative Rush, we are advancing an initiative that will make robust Federal funding for conservation corps available through future Coronavirus relief legislation.

As we have been asked to stay inside and physically distance ourselves, we are reminded just how much we value camaraderie, working together, being outdoors, and experiencing nature. We believe that newly energizing and expanding conservation corps throughout the country will manifest these values in ways that are highly effective, efficient, and equitable. We hope you will help us advance this initiative by expressing support to your Federally elected officials using the form below. THANK YOU for supporting nature, your neighbors, and Openlands.

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U.S. Senate

Subject: Grow Green Jobs by Supporting the Civilian Climate Corps in Build Back Better

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I am writing to request your support to expand the Conservation Corps to create green jobs and support natural spaces in both urban and rural areas of the United States.

This historic moment calls for bold and courageous actions to put millions of Americans back to work by restoring our nation’s natural heritage and rebuilding its infrastructure. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed, educated, and trained 3 million young men during the Great Depression. The legacy of the CCC lives on through hundreds of local conservation corps chapters, including Greencorps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, and others in greater Chicago. These conservation corps provide valuable job training and work experience while completing maintenance and restoration of parks, trails, and natural areas. Conservation corps are well-suited to rebuild American society once again.

Congress just recently passed the Build Back Better bill which includes $30 billion for a Civilian Climate Corps, employing 300,000 people. I believe that newly energizing and expanding conservation corps will manifest American's value of nature and economy in ways that are highly effective, efficient, and equitable. Please ensure the CCC stays in the BBB bill and vote "yes" for its passage, so that people of all ages can be supported and introduced to green jobs that will be so necessary to combat climate change now and in the future.

Thank you for all you are doing for our country during this most difficult time.

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Grow Green Jobs by Expanding Conservation Corps

Grow Green Jobs by Expanding Conservation Corps

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