Since the early days following the January 2025 wildfires, the Corps has stood alongside the Los Angeles community—distributing food and supplies, protecting our watershed, and restoring the trails and habitats that were damaged or lost. The LA Conservation Corps is actively engaged in recovery efforts because Los Angeles is our home. We are committed to being here for both the immediate response and the long-term rebuilding process.
Our Disaster Response Legacy
Helping with disaster relief is deeply engrained in our mission. For nearly 40 years, the LA Conservation Corps has been a cornerstone of local recovery efforts in the aftermath of disasters and unexpected events. Through conservation projects, workforce development, and disaster recovery initiatives, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Los Angeles in times of need.
Our programs provide mutual benefit for young adults seeking self-reliancy, a community that needs services, and an environment that needs to be healed.
LA Conservation Corps unleashes the power of youth to make a positive impact on the community and the environment. Our programs provide mutual benefit for young adults seeking self-sufficiency, a community that needs services, and an environment that needs to be healed.
Corpsmember crews are working in Pacific Palisades to restore beach access and reduce fire fuel. This is the beginning of a larger effort to restore the habitat, parks, and trails that were impacted by the Palisades fire. Thank you to our partners on this project: the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority and Councilwoman Traci Park.
By the numbers:
- 93 burned trees removed
- 69,393square feet of trail reconstructed
- 49 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training
Corpsmembers are restoring the Altadena Crest Trail. So far, work has included debris clearance, tread surface repair, slide clearance, rock armoring, retaining wall replacement, drainage improvements, and fencing and signage installation. These efforts have significantly improved trail integrity and will help protect the surrounding ecosystem. Soon, the 45,000 residents of Altadena and tens of thousands of other Angelenos who travel to Altadena to hike on this public trail will once again be able to enjoy it.
By the numbers:
- 220 plants installed
- 14 trees planted
- 2,000 square feet of mulch applied
- 5 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training
In April, a Corpsmember crew re-greened Loma Alta Park in Altadena to prepare it for the public ahead of the summer season. They worked alongside volunteers from the community, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and other nonprofits committed to fire recovery. Today, the park has reopened to the public and stands as a beacon of hope as Altadena continues to rebuild.
In January and February, the LA Conservation Corps provided seven crews across two 15-day deployments—53 Corpsmembers and 11 staff in the first deployment, followed by 23 Corpsmembers and 6staff in the second—working alongside 400 corpsmembers from across California to aid watershed protection efforts in areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton Fires. At Governor Gavin Newsom’s directive, in coordination with California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CalFire), California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Conservation Corps (CCC), our teams installed watershed protection measures—straw wattles, compost silt socks, and silt fences—to prevent hazardous materials from polluting LA’s creeks, rivers, and water systems at thousands of burned properties in neighborhoods and along the coast.
In the days after the fires, one of our East Valley crews teamed up with the Mid Valley YMCA to distribute fresh food and produce to those affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Hear from our Corpsmembers about what it meant to give back during these tough times.
By the numbers:
- 80 Corpsmembers trained
- 20 Corps staff trained
Dozens of Corpsmembers and staff completed HAZWOPER training—equipping them with the skills and certifications needed to safely manage hazardous waste in the aftermath of natural disasters like the Eaton & Palisades Fires.
This specialized training has helped Corpsmembers launch careers in the environmental sector—working on projects that prevent harmful chemicals from polluting our communities, oceans, and waterways.
Our rapid response to recent watershed protection efforts in Altadena and the Palisades was made possible because many Corpsmembers had already completed this training. In moments of crisis, they were prepared to step up as skilled professionals when we needed them most.
HAZWOPER training is essential to building a resilient, skilled workforce ready to meet the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
By the numbers:
- Two 10-foot Torrey Pine logs removed
- 90 fencing boards produced
- Two 10-foot table slabs produced
- Three 48-to 52-inch-long rounds produced
- 30 furniture-grade boards (2-1/4 × 7 inches) produced
- 3 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training
In May, Angel City Lumber led the effort to remove burned wood from the Palisades Fire area and repurpose it for building materials and consumer goods, such as furniture. The project involved transporting burned wood, training Corpsmembers in portable sawmill operation, and hands-on experience in turning planks into finished products. The specialized effort focused on a Torrey Pine tree, and three Corpsmembers gained specialized experience in sustainable wood reuse and production.
LA Conservation Corps Headquarters
1400 N Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Main: (213) 362-9000
