Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps programs open

KONA – Kupu has announced open applications for its Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) summer and year-round Conservation Leadership Development programs. Youth ages 17 and up on the west side of Hawaii Island can apply for the free programs, which provide cultural and environmental education and job training opportunities throughout the island.

“Kupu’s HYCC Summer and Conservation Leadership Development programs are the core of our conservation initiatives,” said John Leong, Kupu CEO. “These programs offer cultural and environmental education and provide unique hands-on job training and skills that have helped so many of our program alumni to establish successful careers in Hawaii’s green jobs workforce.”

The HYCC summer program is a full-time, seven-week program available statewide. Select applicants in West Hawaii will work in teams to engage in outdoor conservation work like clearing invasive vegetation, planting native species, maintaining trails and parks, and restoring cultural and environmental sites throughout the island.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

Info: www.kupuhawaii.org/programs or email outreach@kupuhawaii.org.