California Climate Action Corps History 

The California Climate Action Corps is a direct response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s call to serve and commitment to fighting climate change. In September 2020, Governor Newsom announced the launch of the California Climate Action Corps — the nation’s first statewide climate corps, led by California Volunteers.

The first cohort of fellows started serving in January 2021, and began taking meaningful action to protect their homes, health and communities against the harshest impacts of climate change. Service projects focus on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste and edible food recovery.   

In 2023, five more states created their own Climate Corps and President Biden announced the creation of the American Climate Corps – all inspired by California’s model. Once again, California is showing the nation what is possible.    

In their first few years, fellows have engaged almost 30,000 volunteers in more than 100,000 hours of climate action.  The California Climate Action Corps planted or maintained 200,000 trees and diverted 44 million pounds of food and organic waste from landfills while inspiring the nation!