East and West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps crew members
The Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is proud to launch its 2025 summer season with programs fighting climate change 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.
Brianna Houde, Youth Climate Corps East Kootenay crew member, learns about wildfire suppression technique
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.
Ivy Desbiolles, Youth Climate Corps East Kootenay crew member, at the Cranbrook Community Garden
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.
Photos: Wildsight
