News Release header English

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2023

Media Contact: Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@californiavolunteers.ca.gov, 916-584-3620

Wanted: Climate Champions to Serve in California Climate Action Corps

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor seeks applicants passionate about fighting climate change for paid service positions in local communities across the state


Caption – California Climate Action Corps Fellows and volunteers celebrate during Community Climate Action Day – San Jose in September 2022 where they participated in tree plantings, composting, canvassing neighborhoods and brush clearing.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Volunteers, Office of the Governor wants champions of climate action to apply for the California Climate Action Corps paid service program which began recruitment today.

“Tackling the climate crisis takes partners at all levels, and the California Climate Action Corps is mobilizing energized Californians all across our state to drive climate action in ways never seen before,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “California’s climate action is just getting started, and it starts with you. Together, we’ll achieve the climate-friendly future all Californians deserve.” California Climate Action Corps Fellows mobilize their communities through climate volunteer engagement, climate action and education service projects focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste and edible food recovery.

“There is incredible power in service and our California Climate Action Corps gives fellows the opportunity to harness that power to directly address the impacts of climate change,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “The Governor and I are exceedingly grateful to those who answer the call to serve their communities, and we are excited to see them take meaningful action on behalf of our state and our planet.”

Governor Newsom launched California Climate Action Corps as the nation’s first state-level climate service corps with the mission of empowering Californians to take meaningful action to protect their homes, health and communities against the harshest impacts of climate change. The program is led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.

“We want to channel the energy of those passionate about fighting climate change into paid service to help communities address this existential threat,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Our California Climate Action Corps Fellows are doing critical work, engaging community members and inspiring us to do more.”

As AmeriCorps California members, fellows earn $30,000 for serving 1,700 hours over 11 months, plus qualify for $10,000 in education awards to pay down student debt or use towards college.

A summer fellowship is also recruiting for two-month positions which pay $5,294, plus a $1,374 education award.

2023-24 California Climate Action Corps Fellows will serve from Sept. 18, 2023, to Aug. 15, 2024, in communities throughout the state. Summer fellows will serve 300 hours from June 5 to Aug. 4, 2023.

From 2021 through 2022, the California Climate Action Corp Fellowship achieved the following:

  • 147,072 trees planted, maintained, or given away.
  • 1.6 million pounds of food or organic waste diverted from landfills.
  • 1 million pounds of recovered food distributed to people in need.
  • 17,770 volunteers engaged for 54,220 hours of climate action.
  • 52,002 people engaged through climate-related education and outreach.
  • 172 acres, 85 sites, and 36 homes/structures treated for climate resiliency.​

Go to ClimateActionCorps.ca.gov to learn more and apply.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@californiavolunteers.ca.gov 916-584-3620.

B-Roll Footage:

Tree Planting and Climate Action

Composting and Community Garden Work

Climate Action in the Rain


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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor   
Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting young Californians to engage in public service.