FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A Columbia Basin-based Initiative Fighting Climate Change Through Paid Summer Employment Expands Province-Wide
Kootenays, BC – June 19th, 2025 – The Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is proud to launch its 2025 summer season with programs running in seven regions across the province, including the West and East Kootenay. Youth Climate Corps began in 2020 as a program of Wildsight, which still operates the East and West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps crews. Working in partnership with Wildsight, YCCBC is now building on growing momentum to offer youth across British Columbia paid, hands-on work that contributes to meaningful climate solutions in their own communities.
This year, YCCBC has expanded its programming to reach more rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across the province. In the Kootenays, 10 young people are spending the summer advancing wildfire risk reduction, food security, ecosystem restoration, youth leadership development, education, community engagement and much more. Last year, YCCBC’s province-wide impact was bigger than ever. Nearly 50 youth collectively completed more than 3,400 working days on a wide range of climate-focused projects.
Interest in Youth Climate Corps continues to far exceed current capacity. In our most recent recruitment cycle for only the East and West Kootenay Crews, we received 84 applications for the 10 available roles! Province-wide, youth and community enthusiasm are increasing across both rural and urban areas, with a growing waitlist that now extends into 2026/27.
YCCBC and Wildsight are excited to continue expanding this model across more communities—building a greener, more resilient British Columbia powered by youth leadership. Follow along this summer as young people across the province lead climate solutions on the ground and share their stories of impact, connection, and change.
For more information about the Youth Climate Corps BC and upcoming initiatives, please visit the YCCBC Website or contact info@youthclimatecorps.com. For the West and East Kootenay Youth Climate Corps crews, visit the Wildsight website or contact info@wildsight.ca.
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Photos:
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https://wildsight.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_ 6855.webp – East and West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps crew members gather at the headwaters of the Columbia River in Canal Flats, BC. Photo: Wildsight -
https://wildsight.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2025/06/CCF- Wildfire-Suppression- Simulation-Brianna.webp – Brianna Houde, Youth Climate Corps East Kootenay crew member, learns about wildfire suppression techniques at a project in Creston, BC. Photo: Wildsight -
https://wildsight.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2025/06/CCG- Ivy.webp – Ivy Desbiolles, Youth Climate Corps East Kootenay crew member, at the Cranbrook Community Garden. Photo: Wildsight
About Youth Climate Corps BC:
Youth Climate Corps BC is dedicated to supporting youth leadership in driving climate action. Through YCCBC’s programs, we offer paid work and training opportunities that enable young people to develop skills, build community resilience, and contribute to a sustainable future. Our initiatives focus on key areas such as wildfire mitigation, food sovereignty, energy efficiency, ecological restoration, and youth leadership development.
About Wildsight:
Since 1987, Wildsight has been a leader in advancing conservation, environmental education, and sustainable community initiatives in BC’s Columbia Basin Region. Since 2020, Wildsight has operated Youth Climate Corps crews across this region, completing dozens of diverse projects while working with Youth Climate Corps BC to spread this model to other communities.
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Media Contacts:
Eymie Labbé, Youth Climate Corps BC
Communications & Marketing Director
Email: eymie@youthclimatecorps.com
Phone: 418-999-1047
Lorene Keitch, Wildsight
Communications Specialist
Email: lorene@wildsight.ca
Phone: 250-427-9325 ext. 211