Four organizations receive funding from Serve Washington to become part of Washington Climate Corps Network

OLYMPIA -- Serve Washington has awarded $1.37 million in grant funding to four organizations that will join the new Washington Climate Corps Network, WCCN. Civic Spark, EarthCorps, Student Conservation Association and the Washington Conservation Corps were named as recipients. The WCCN network was created through legislation in 2023.

The announcement was made during an event at the Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma. Special guests included Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Vandana Slatter, EarthCorps Director Evlyn Andrade and Washington Conservation Corps Director Bridget Talebi. AmeriCorps members serving with the EarthCorps and Washington Climate Corps programs also gave remarks.

“We are excited to partner with these community-based organizations and help create opportunities for people across the state to play a part of mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis through service — especially in overburdened communities,” said Serve Washington Executive Director Amber Martin-Jahn. “We look forward to deepening our relationships with grantee partners and coming together with Tribes, veterans and young people through this new service learning and action-oriented initiative.”

The WCCN is a network of service organizations supported by community and state allies working to address climate change in Washington through the development of climate-related service opportunities. Members serving with WCCN-affiliated programs will help build climate resilient communities, economies and ecosystems while receiving training, education and career pathway exposure.

WCCN progams will support climate-related service opportunities for youth and veterans statewide. Members will conserve water in Gold Bar, conduct health education in Yakima, blaze trails in Kent, and more.  

“Washington state is a leader in the nation with the passage and implementation of the Climate Commitment Act,” said WCCN Director Matt Glazewski. “This new endeavor will open doors to service learning opportunities for people across the state in communities hit hardest by global climate change.

The WCCN is also supported in part by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, a new program that works by setting a statewide “cap” on greenhouse gas-emissions that steadily lowers over time. Funds from the auction of emissions allowances support investments in climate-resiliency programs like the WCCN, as well as clean transportation and addressing health disparities across the state.

“Serve Washington and the newly formed Climate Corps Network will open new career and service opportunities to people interested in joining the frontlines of Washington’s fight against climate change,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “The program’s focus on communities most affected by climate change is one of many ways we’re working towards an equitable and just transition away from fossil fuels.”

The WCCN prioritizes service in overburdened communities and invests in reducing barriers so everyone can serve. Overburdened communities are areas where residents face disproportionate environmental harms and risks. A minimum of 60% of this funding will directly support service opportunities for members of vulnerable populations in overburdened communities.

Organizations receiving funding are:

• Civic Spark: $375,000 to offset host site costs and support additional member benefits.
• EarthCorps: $375,010 for living allowances and administrative costs for inclusion of non-AmeriCorps eligible participants and to support additional member benefits.
• The Student Conservation Association: $135,324 for SCA’s Seattle-based high school programming.
• Washington Conservation Corps: $375,000 to support increased member living allowances and affinity spikes.

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About the WCCN: The Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN) is a network of AmeriCorps programs committed to helping build our clean-energy and climate-resilient future. One of nine such state-level programs nationwide, the WCCN will connect, amplify and grow climate-related service opportunities that mobilize and train young adults and veterans to build clean energy and climate-resilient communities, economies, and ecosystems.

To learn more about the WCCN, visit our webpage. You can also sign up to receive updates about WCCN including funding opportunities, becoming a host site, opportunities to serve and more by filling out our contact form.