Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps

 Application Open for the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps 

Looking to break into the environmental field and launch your career? Looking to make a difference and create change? Or know a young person who is? Young professionals gain experience, crucial career skills, a support system, and key connections within the environmental field through the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps. 

The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps is a one-year term of paid service that places young adults with nonprofits or government agencies to work fulltime in the environmental field. Throughout the year young professionals receive experience managing projects and programs, leadership and professional development training, mentorship, a support network of young professionals, and other skill-building opportunities including networking and grant writing. Positions offered by the host organizations are in the fields of environmental restoration, climate change, community engagement, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, energy conservation, and forestry. 

This year University of Maryland (UMD), Terp Farm is one of the many potential Host Organizations for the 2023-24 Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps service year. If successfully matched with UMD Terp Farm, you would work primarily on the farm, with daily activities focused on assisting the Terp Farm Manager with crop production, farm infrastructure development, and supporting student and community engagement. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with all aspects of crop production at the 5-acre sustainable vegetable farm, including soil cultivation and tillage, seedbed preparation, crop planting, plant propagation, nutrient management, integrated pest management, irrigation, harvest, and post-harvest handling, distribution and transport, task management, and record-keeping.
• Lead or assist with site development projects focusing on environmental restoration and conservation, such as the construction or renovation of high tunnels, development of permanent irrigation systems, maintenance of drainage swales and driveways, and implementation of ecosystem services projects such as the establishment of native pollinator habitats and developing hedgerows.
• Assist the Terp Farm Manager when conducting on-farm engagement activities such as supervising volunteers and interns, facilitating experiential learning and academic class visits, and providing leadership support for the student employees of the farm. 

(For additional information send an email stating your interest to terpfarm@umd.edu). 

The Chesapeake Bay Trust anticipates placing around 50-55 Corps Members, young adults 18-25, with nonprofit organizations and government agencies throughout the Chesapeake Bay region for a paid year of service ($31,200) beginning on August 15, 2023. 

Applications for the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps must be submitted through the Trust’s online system by March 9, 2023 at 4:00 pm. To learn more and apply go to https://cbtrust.org/chesapeake-conservation-corps/apply/. 

For any questions about the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps contact Program Coordinator Carlton Burns cburns@cbtrust.org or 410-974-2941, ext. 125.