United States military veterans interested in becoming involved in fish habitat restoration and monitoring can join a new California Conservation Corps veterans crew based in Humboldt County.
The CCC's Fortuna Center is offering paid training to veterans between the ages of 18 and 27 with an honorable discharge or general discharge with honorable conditions. National Guard members under part-time status may also be eligible. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 4.
The fisheries projects are funded by the CCC and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is also providing training and education. Additional training as well as project locations will be provided by the Department of Fish and Game. The work is expected to take place in Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties.
Projects will focus on salmonid habitat monitoring in coastal watersheds, where veterans will help collect ecological data to assess the effectiveness of habitat restoration techniques. The veterans will be provided with technical training to conduct spawning, habitat, topographical and diving surveys.
After six months involved in fisheries work, veterans will have an opportunity to work on CCC trail-building and forestry projects.
The CCC experience can provide entry into jobs with local, state and federal resource agencies.
For details on joining the fisheries crew, contact the CCC's Tina Ratcliff at (916) 341- 3123 or tina.ratcliff@ccc.ca.gov.