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New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps

  1. New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps

NMYCC FUNDS YOUTH-CENTERED PROJECTS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Click on the map to see projects in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
For a list of projects funded in 2024 and past projects, click here.

About YCC

The New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission is allocated state governmental gross receipts taxes to fund projects that hire youth ages 14 to 25 to carry out community and conservation projects, and be trained in a variety of job, life, career and conservation skills. Local governments, tribes, and non-profits are eligible to apply for funding.

Returning Corps members are eligible for a $500 cash benefit or a $1,500 educational voucher.

A nine-member Commission governs the NMYCC. Five are Governor appointees and four are state agency staff. Commission meetings are held about four times per year and are open to the public.  Meeting information is posted here. The Commission hires and supervises the Executive Director and the Coordinator/Budget analyst.

The NMYCCC Act is the statutory authorization for the program. The YCC Rule lays out the regulations and standards developed by the Commission to administer the program.

Explore past YCC projects here!

What Corps Members Say

I do feel that my YCC experience will assist me in pursuing my goals by instilling me with confidence to try new things and go after what I want. YCC taught me many practical life skills that I can implement in reaching my goals. – Corps member, City of Tucumcari Open Space Revitalization Project, 2023

I learned a lot about the outside life and everything that goes around us. I also learned about the water and how it goes through everything in our life. I learned a lot of cool and neat things while working in this job. I learned how to be more open to others and learn about them personally. I learned a lot about the gardens that we have at where I worked.  – Corps member, Bernalillo County Agricultural Crew, 2023 

The job taught me the importance of having a work ethic. From working in 90 degree weather to working in rainy conditions, my work ethic was challenged and strengthened which at the end of the summer taught me to stay strong and work hard to pursue achievement in my desired goals. – Corps member, EcoServants Otero County Crew, 2023

Contacts and Location

Sarah Wood, Executive Director sarah.wood@emnrd.nm.gov, 505.470.3710 (mobile)

Morgan Tolen, YCC Administrator / Coordinator, morganl.tolen@emnrd.nm.gov, 505.690.5707 (mobile)

Wendell Chino Building, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Our office is on the third floor. The building is open M-F, 8 am to 5pm. If you want to drop off a reimbursement, you may do so anytime during these hours.
Detailed Directions to our Office